Edward William Martin Classen
1928 - 2014
Edward William Martin Classen passed peacefully in his 86th year at Valleyhaven Retirement Community, in Chilliwack. B.C., Canada, Sunday November 30, 2014.
Ed was born in Cape Town, South Africa, May 19, 1928 to Jacob and Anne Classen, married Iris Classen on January 10th, 1953. Ed received his CGA with Oxford and Cambridge Universities in 1969 and immigrated to Chilliwack with his family in 1971. Ed served as the Director Of Finance at Chilliwack General Hospital for 20 years until his retirement. He also served as a member the Board of Directors for the Fraser Valley Credit Union for many years as well as serving as the Official Agent for late Liberal candidate Hal Singleton.
Edward was ordained as an Elder at Cookes Presbyterian and served the church Seniors Fellowship group along side his wife. Ed enjoyed acting, dancing and singing. He spent time with the Chilliwack Players Guild, and sang with the choir at Cooke’s Presbyterian Church. Ed loved nothing more than to spend time with grand children and great grand daughter.
He will be sorrily missed by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Iris Classen of Chilliwack; his sons Graham Classen of Richmond; Peter Classen of Vancouver; his grand children Seneca Classen-Pottie (Dean Pottie) of Red Deer, Alberta; Liam Classen of Richmond: great grand daughters Laila & Zoe Pottie of Red Deer, Alberta: extended family Cherie Roy-Classen of Chilliwack, B.C; Wendy and Rachel Dwyer of Richmond, B.C.. He is survived by his sister Agnes Stark and family of Capetown, S.A.; Sister in law Dorothea Ulster and family Capetown, S.A.; brother and sister in law Peter and Millie Louw and family of Surrey.
The Family would like to thank the many people who have been so important in the past few months. Your love, support and devotion can never be repaid and will never be forgotten. It is your strength that has held us up and your selflessness that has carried us through. We would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Valleyhaven Retirement Community. The dignity and care you have shown us and our father, husband and grandfather has not been over looked.
A celebration of life with be held on Thursday December 4th, 2014 at 11:00 am at Cookes Presbyterian Church, 45825 Wellington Ave., Chilliwack, BC V2P 2E1. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Cookes Presbyterian Memorial Fund.