J. Edwin Warkentin
April 4th, 2017
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Edwin entered into the Joy of the Lord peacefully on April 4, 2017 in his 94th year. Survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Patricia, brother Peter, sister Doris, seven children; Louise (Bob), Eric (Lois), Judith (Alex), Peter (Judi), Andrew (Ying), Paul (Krista) and Edward (Berva), twenty-one grandchildren, and thirty-one great grandchildren.
Born on a farm near Haskett, Manitoba in 1923, the fourth of seven children. Edwin is predeceased by his brother John who died in childhood, his wife of 39 years Marjorie, parents, grandsons Joseph and Trevor, and brothers Reg, Jack and Conn. Edwin met, fell in love with and married Marjorie Russell, while they both served in the RCAF during WWII. Together they raised their 7 children. Edwin was a devoted husband and provided well for his family.
Following the war, Edwin served 10 years with the RCAF, where he acquired his electronics technical skills, followed by a career as a communications electrician for Alberta Government Telephones. Edwin joined the faculty at the BC Institute of Technology in Burnaby in the late sixties, teaching microwave radio systems and developing a sound systems design technology program. While working full time, he earned his Master of Arts degree from Simon Fraser University, and was later appointed Associate Dean of the Electrical Engineering program at BCIT.
Upon retirement, Edwin opened Canada's first picture framing school in Langley, B.C. and later traveled with Patricia to small centres throughout B.C. to teach his trade. Edwin generously volunteered his time to his communities in many ways, including to church service and leadership on a local and national level. Edwin traveled extensively. For many years he enjoyed his hobby as a ham radio operator. In later years, he turned his attention to writing, publishing several books on picture framing, and authoring several more sharing stories of his life and family history.
Edwin cherished his family deeply and will be missed. His enduring Christian faith, good nature, wit, sense of humour, and genuine interest in others are an inspiration to those who knew him.
Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at 3:00 PM at Living Waters Church, 9095 Glover Road, Fort Langley B.C.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Messages:
Our late father, Muir Adair, and Edwin met at Langley Gardens where their shared experience in the RCAF during WWII and their personal interest in writing became the basis of a good friendship. They passed along to each other copies of their books, and Edwin encouraged Dad to look into publishing one of his own memoirs. Dad was pleased to give Edwin a walking cane from his eclectic collection of canes. In fact, Edwin contacted our family not that long ago to let us know that he had found a cane that Dad had been searching for. Edwin graciously and generously offered this cane to our family but we declined, knowing that Dad would have been pleased to know that his friend, Edwin, had been successful in the search. Edwin shared with us that Dad had been as close as a brother to him. Please accept condolences from our family to yours.
Dear Andy, Ying and family, We are very sorry to hear of the passing of your father, Andy. It is always difficult to lose a parent even if they have lived a long and fruitful life. We hope that you have many good memories that you can think back on to remember your father. With our sincere sympathy, love, Janet and Georg Jaeckel
What a loving Grandpa and Great Grandpa! We will miss him so much but we have many precious memories of how wonderful he was and how he impacted our lives in lasting ways. My sorriest condolences to Pat, my mom, aunt, and uncles.
Sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. Uncle Ed was always a favorite when he visited at my Mom and Dad's home in Toronto. His wit and sense of humour was always appreciated and his kindness and genuine caring nature was always evident. It's a shame to see the "older" generation passing on. Your Dad will be missed!