EDGAR FRANCIS FILE

(1931 – 2026) Rev. Dr. Edgar "Ed" File passed peacefully, on February 13, 2026, at the age of 94, surrounded by cherished family. Ed lived a long and active life, filled with family, friends, adventure, purpose. Born in Port Arthur, Ontario (now Thunder Bay), Ed grew up in Toronto in a loving home with parents, Mabel and Ronald, and three siblings, Walter, Doris, and Alicia, all of whom predeceased him. Ed's life was grounded in academia. He earned a BA and MDiv through studies at the Universities of Toronto (Victoria and Emmanuel Colleges) and St Andrews (Scotland) and a PhD at Boston University. He went on to work as a professor at York University, Atkinson College for over 25 years. Ed's real passion and impact was in social justice and activism. He joined the 1965 Selma-Montgomery march as a young united church minister, was Minister of James Robertson United Church where he co-founded Winnipeg's first halfway house for ex-prisoners, worked in solidarity with Indigenous peoples, traveled the world with the World Council of Churches – Urban Rural Mission, and worked to initiate the Canadian Urban Training (CUT) program in Toronto to address urban poverty and social justice issues. In 1982, Ed met and joined forces with his great friend, Albert Lin, and spent over 30 years actively working with the Taiwanese community through Taiwan Urban Rural Mission, advancing principles of democracy and human rights, including leading numerous programs in Canada and Taiwan with his life partner Donna Loft. One of Ed's proudest honours was being the 2014 recipient of the Albert J.F. Lin Human Rights award, from the Taiwanese Human Rights Association of Canada. Ed was a sailor, athlete, and enthusiast of life. From his younger days with Cadets and the University Naval Training Division to later being Captain of his beloved schooner Valhalla, he shared his love of sailing with many on lazy summer days sailing around Toronto Islands and the annual schooner race. A varsity football player, avid Napanee curler, vocal fan at family hockey games and long-suffering Leafs fan. Many happy memories were made playing cards, doing puzzles, sitting around campfires, and enjoying happy hour on the deck overlooking his beloved Salmon River in Lonsdale. Ed is survived by his loving life partner of 45 years, Donna Loft; his five children, Patricia (Bruce), Andrew (Mary-Lou), Mora (Michael), Jim (Janet), and John Paul; two stepdaughters, Melanie (Kent) and Marisa (Michael); 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. We are grateful to the John M. Parrott Centre for their gentle care of Ed in his final months. In remembrance of Ed, please consider donating your time or funds to a social justice or environmental cause that brings hope for our world.