Kingston, Edward Albert, “Ed”, of Westmeath, ON, passed away peacefully at the Renfrew Hospice on September 2, 2021. Born in Brantford, Ontario in 1937, to Edward and Muriel Kingston, Ed was a force of nature! He had a powerful commanding presence that was honed from his service in the Canadian Forces, starting with his enlistment in 1957 with the Canadian Guards, as an infantryman. His time in service continued during the Canadian Forces process of integration and unification, when he began serving with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in 1968. During this time, he was a keen marksman and he competed in multiple rifle competitions, leading the 2PPCLI Rifle team to many honours. Operationally, he was in Germany for the Cold War during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and during the 1964 Crisis in Cyprus, where he did a peacekeeping tour of duty. Ed was a natural leader and rose to the rank of Sergeant. He was an instructor at the Combat Arms School and taught Small Arms training. By 1976, he transitioned trades and he trained to become a highly skilled Construction Engineer. He retired at the rank of Sergeant in 1980 after 23 years of honourable service to his Queen and country.
Ed had an incredible work ethic and he thrived when faced with hard work and difficult challenges, often seeking out other opportunities to put his skill set to use. After retiring from the CF, he started his own construction business in Comox Valley, BC, building custom homes, and enlisting the help of his sons and daughter along the way. Together, the family created some truly beautiful homes. In addition, he continued to work as a civilian in the construction section at CFB Comox, and was awarded a 36 year service medal for his combined service by the Canadian government in 1994.
Ed was an athletic man and excelled at fast ball and at the tender age of 14, he already pitched in the men’s league. He also had a passion for hockey. He volunteered for many years in Comox Valley with the minor hockey league as a coach. He was a scout for numerous Western Hockey League Teams and he was a part of the Kelowna Rockets organization, when they won the Memorial cup in 2004. Not content with just scouting, Ed set out to create a winning hockey team and turned his attention to creating the Campbell River Storm Junior Hockey Club. He was owner and GM of the Storm starting in 1997 until 2006. His years spent with the team resulted in many championships. For seven consecutive years the Storm laid claim to the Vancouver Island Hockey League Championship and along the way he helped to mentor and foster the careers of many young hockey players.
Never one to slow down in retirement, Ed always had a project on the go, from creating artisan woodworking pieces to helping with home renovation projects. He greatly enjoyed fishing and he never gave up a chance to play a game of cards or a competitive game of scrabble! Through Ed’s adventures, his beloved wife Claudette was by his side. She has been a loyal and supportive spouse for 62 years, who helped him in his endeavours and together they created a beautiful family, Jim (Kate), Katherine (Cameron Cline), Kevin (Kimberley McDonald-Kingston), Allan, and their angel Carol Ann. Ed expressed his emotions through wood working and his skills, plus his incredible work ethic, were passed down to all his children. Ed had a big heart and was extremely generous with his time and was devoted to helping his children and his adored grand children, Jonathon, Noelle, Karly, Julia and Olivia, and his precious great grandchildren, Teghan, Natalie, and Aurora, in any way he could. His legacy will be forever cherished by his family and all who knew him.
In addition to his immediate family, he will also be greatly missed by his brothers John (Donna) Kingston and Ken (Fran) Kingston. Ed was predeceased by his daughter Carol Ann, and by his parents Edward and Muriel Kingston, and by his brother Jim (Marjorie) Kingston.
Respecting Ed's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Lapasse on Saturday, 11th, 2021 at 2 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, donations to the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Ontario SPCA - Renfrew County Branch would be appreciated. Arrangements by the
Neville Funeral Home
491 Isabella St., Pembroke, ON, K8A 5T8
(613) 732-7481
Online Condolences may be left at www.nevillefuneralhome.