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How HALINA

May 15, 2006

HALINA How does one write about a man? Do I simply tell you when he was born? Where he lived during his life? How many sisters, cousins, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews he has? Shall I tell you his career choice? All this would tell you what he was, but not who he was. Ed was a musician in his younger years and played in a band. Ed was a gypsy and a traveler. He could have easily lived with a backpack traveling the world. Because of family responsibilities, his traveling was to relatives for fruit picking, fishing on the ocean and dinosaur bone hunting. And although family vacations may not have been the traveling he had in mind, they posed their own adventurous nature. Later in years, when family responsibilities eased, he traveled to different countries. Ed was a mighty hunter, not with a gun or bow, but with a fishing rod. If the fish weren't biting, there were always berries to pick, or squirrels to watch play. He loved nature and had a great respect for this world we live on. Ed was a mighty warrior. His battles were fought in his back yard against formidable enemies. The battle with ants went on forever. The strawberry war always brought something new each year. He was amazed at the tactics the birds used to attain the strawberries and when he had the birds beaten, the slugs took over. After winning against both, the kids and grandkids picked up where the slugs left off. There was no winning that battle. Ed was a bargain hunter, and he always had his family in mind, especially when chocolate and candies were on sale. The arrival of Grandpa's car elicited excitement and helping hands to haul in the goodies. Ed was an athlete and was proud and happy when he was involved with his kids in these sports through curling and hockey. Ed was in the army. The worst part for him was the wool pants (he was allergic to wool) and getting up early in the morning (he was a night owl). Ed was luckier than most, he found love twice with two very special women. Many know Ed as a teacher, principal and then Assistant Superintendent of the County of Mountain View. He was a teacher, not only in schools, but in life as well. Besides teaching school, he taught how to make a skating rink using buckets of water with holes punch in the bottom. He taught some how to skate and play hockey. He advised upcoming curlers. He taught us how to tie a hook and cast for a fish. He didn't look for his students, but let them seek him. Always ready to answer questions with intelligent knowledgeable answers. Ed got involved. Through his actions, he taught his family that if you're not prepared to get involved to change things, don't complain. How many lives did he change by teaching? I don't know. His biggest involvement was with the Parkland Regional Library. He loved books and his love for reading, knowledge and books shone through the libraries. Always willing to help set up a library in towns and villages in Alberta and to help better existing libraries. How many lives did he better by setting up libraries? I don't know. The last thing Ed taught us was how to die with integrity and humor. Our Dad passed on Saturday, May 6, 2006, at the age of 80. He didn't want a funeral so we will respect those wishes. We ask that any that knew Ed either make a donation to the cancer society in his name or donate a book for the Rocky Mountain House Hospital. Books can be sent to Terry Giroux, #15 51214 RR 260, Spruce Grove AB, T7Y 1B1. Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Your Golden Rule Funeral Home, entrusted with the arrangements. 403-845-2626 Flinn Funeral Services Ltd.