Edwin Walter Lyons passed away on July 17, 2009 at the Kamloops Hospice Home after a brief struggle with cancer. He was 91 years old.
Ed was born on September 1, 1917 in Bernard, Saskathewan. At a young age he moved with his family to Penticton where he received all his schooling, worked in the family orchard and enjoyed many fun times on Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake .As a young man, Ed started working for Getty Shoes and that job led to a retail shoe career that lasted over 35 years. Ed owned stores in Nelson and Cranbrook retiring in 1973 and settling in Cranbrook.
In his retirement years , Ed continued to enjoy the winter home in Yuma, extended motorhome trips and spending time with his family . He and Colleen were never content to stay very long in one spot and they lived in various homes in Nelson, Cranbrook, Kootenay Lake, Kaslo, Scotch Creek, Kamloops and Barriere where they have lived since 2004.
Ed lived a full and rich life. He loved to entertain and with his wonderful sense of humor, enjoyed nothing better than a party with family , friends and total strangers. Everyone was welcome at the Lyons’ home. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and traveling.
Ed is survived by his wife and best friend Colleen and six children. Barbara (Ben) Falasca of Cranbrook, Diane (Bill) Calder of Cranbrook, Harold (Laurie) of Kamloops, Bob (Catharine) of Barriere, Allan of Balfour and Lloyd (Marilyn) of Calgary. He is also survived by a sister Florence, twelve grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, four great great grandchildren, three nieces and a nephew. He will also be missed by his beloved golden retriever, Buddy. Ed was predeceased by his parents Walter and Dora Lyons, two brothers (Chester and Lloyd) and a sister Evelyn.
At Ed’ s request, there will be no formal service. The family is hosting a celebration of Ed’s life in Cranbrook at the home of Bill and Diane Calder, at 1629 Staple Crescent on August 1 at 3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Marjorie Willoughby Memorial Hospice Home, 72 Whiteshield Crescent South, Kamloops, B.C. V2E 2S9.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schoening Funeral Service.