It is with great sadness that the family of Edward Riedel announces that he passed away in Ottawa on September 7, 2021, at the age of 80. Ed, originally of Sault Ste Marie, is survived by his wife of 55 years, Barb; his daughter Sylvia; his son Steve (Tami); grandchildren Ava and Ryan; many nieces and nephews, and many friends including his best friend Al, also from the Sault. Ed was much loved and predeceased by his parents Edward and Irena, and his sister Irene (David).
Ed was born in 1941 in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt, Germany, and he and his parents emigrated to Canada in 1948 and settled in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Even with English as his third language, he skipped two grades and won many public speaking contests. Ed graduated from Sault Collegiate, and went on to graduate from U of Toronto with a degree in Poli-Sci and Economics, and obtained his Certified Management Accountant accreditation soon after. He pursued a 30 year career in Ottawa in finance for the federal public service, and retired in 1994 as the Administrator of the House of Commons.
Ed was a lover of animals, had a keen interest in politics and world news, and followed the mantra of driving slow and steady. His loves included Elvis Presley, British motorcycles, WWII books, trips to the thrift store on Seniors’ Day, 1950s movies, Graflex cameras, 1967 Mustangs, drives on the backroads, and puttering around the cottage. He wouldn’t let broccoli near his plate, didn’t trust wifi, ketchup was a food group, and there was no way he was going to text on that newfangled phone. Ed had a backup or two for everything, “just in case”.
A memorial service will be held on October 2, 2021 at the McGarry Funeral Home in Wakefield, Quebec, and his final resting place will be the MacLaren Cemetery in Wakefield, overlooking the Gatineau Hills. The pandemic restricts attendance at the funeral so it will be recorded and posted on the funeral home website.
Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, the Ottawa Humane Society or the charity of your choice.
Condolences/Tributes/Donations
McGarry Memorial Chapel
www.hpmcgarry.ca
819-459-1800