Edward Maddams

MADDAMS, Edward Charles After a long and adventurous life, Edward Maddams passed away suddenly on February 25, 2009 in Penticton. Ed was born in Edmonton on May 25, 1915. He left school early to help his family by working in the coalmine at Cadomin, and rode the rails across Canada during the Depression. He was a big game guide and outfitter in the Rockies with his brother Jimmy, where he acquired the handle "Sagebloom" from his international clients. Both his photographs and stories from this memorable period are family treasures. Ed married Yolanda Bello in Mountain Park in 1939. They moved to North Vancouver where he became a welder in the shipyards, but later returned to the coalmines as part of the war effort. Ed was one of the pipeline pioneers and worked in Turner Valley when oil was discovered during the mid 1950's. His pipeline career took him all across Canada and even abroad, for a project in Libya in 1962. He worked his way up to Superintendent, where his attention to detail on every job earned him the nickname "Granny" from his peers. Ed retired in British Columbia in 1979 to spend time with his wife, three daughters, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling, gardening and winemaking, but was passionate in his love of fishing and the outdoors - especially the Coal Branch. We will remember our father and grandfather as being larger than life, with a generous spirit and a cheeky sense of humour - a real 20th Century man who relished life. The family will celebrate his life privately.