Edwin Vair Reid

Edwin Vair Reid of Cremona, Alberta, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Always known as Vair to family and friends, others may know him as the fabled "Strongest Man This Side of Cremona" as authored in Georgia Graham's well-known children's book!

Vair was born in Carstairs on May 24, 1924, the second son and sixth child of Edwin and Marion Reid and grew up on the family homestead north of Cremona. He attended school at Elmwood and Old Cremona and graduated from Olds College with the class of '44 where he met and married Catharine McConnell. Together they raised four children, supported their post-secondary studies, and took pride in their achievements. Vair strongly believed in the values of education, hard work, tolerance, love, and helping those in need. He was a life-long member of the Cremona United Church.

Vair always loved farming. He farmed with his father for seven years, in partnership with his brother Alan for 33 years, and with his son Gerald for another 27 years. He was a 4-H Club leader for many years, served on many community initiatives including the REA which brought electricity to the Cremona area in 1951 & the Mountain View Reclamation Board which monitored oilfield cleanup. He was a founding member and past president of the Cremona Lions Club, founding member and director of Cochrane Lake Gas Co-op, canvassed for the Cremona Community Chest, and served on the board of Mountain View Seniors Housing Society. He loved dancing and was member of the Crossfield Dance Group. He loved to sing with the Carstairs Drifters and curl at the Cremona Curling Club. Vair travelled to many parts of the world including tours of Russia, South Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, the U.S., Alaska, and Canada. He was happily married again in 2000 to another Olds College classmate Katherine Boulter of Rosalind, Alberta and welcomed a second family into his life!

Vair was predeceased by siblings Clarence, Mable, and Alice, as well as his wives Catharine McConnell and Katherine Boulter and step-son Barry. He is survived by: sisters Elma Bird and Lillian Morgan, brother Alan; children Dale (Lois), Doug (Sandie), Shirley (Lawrence), Gerald (Michele); grandchildren Barbara and Colin, Kurt and Scott, Alexandra and Wyatt, Katia and Vanessa; Kay's daughter Marilyn Whiting and her grandchildren Michael, Tracy, Chris, and Billy;  and nine great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank sincerely all those who so lovingly cared for Vair during his illness: Dr. Smit, Dr. Chang, staff and caregivers at the Foothills Hospital, Tom Baker Cancer Clinic, Didsbury Hospital and Chinook Winds Lodge. Thanks also to the many friends who kindly phoned, wrote, and visited to keep his spirits up.

Memorial service will be held at the Cremona Congregational Church on Monday January 7, 2013 at 2pm followed by a gathering at the Cremona Community Hall. Funeral arrangements by Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.