Lefurgy, Edward William (Eddy)
Passed away unexpectedly on May 5, 2015 at the Chilliwack General Hospital.
Born in South Porcupine, Ontario November 2, 1937 to John and Mary (Coyne)Lefurgy, Eddy was the youngest and sole surviving sibling of 10 children.
Being a child of The Great Depression, and growing up in a mining town
would define his character. Generosity, a hard work ethic, and progressive
attitudes towards his fellow human beings that were shaped by his life experiences are traits everyone recognized in him.
At 15, Eddy lied about his age to take a job in the gold mines of Northern
Ontario. In his twenties, he answered the call to 'move West, young man,'
and Eddy continued in the mining and heavy construction industry in BC, the
Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Eddy took pride in helping build the
country, assisting with the drilling and blasting of such places as the
Bennett Dam projects, and the Mt MacDonald Tunnel break-through. Coming
from a family of miners, Eddy would see the dangerous working conditions,
and choose to stand up for human lives: working in the Labour Movement,
including being an executive member of the Rock and Tunnel workers Union 168. He would often remind people that in the mines, horses were granted an 8 hour
work day first while men were still working 12; safety, like anything worth
having, was never given - it had to be fought for.
After 40 years as a miner, he changed his work path and became a security
officer serving at various sites throughout the Fraser Valley. Eddy spent almost a decade in this role at the Chilliwack General Hospital where his skills, respect, compassion and caring endeared him to staff and patients alike.
In 1976 Eddy married Estelle (Britton) and in 1978 moved from Vancouver to
Ryder Lake, Chilliwack as he wanted to raise his family closer to nature.
His pride and joy were his four sons Michael (Veronica) Pennsylvania;
Gerald (Vanessa), Sydney, Australia; Ryder (Kara), Chilliwack; and Edward,
White Rock BC. To complete his happiness were his grandchildren Kaelyn,
Sierra , Hannah (PA) and Lily, Ella and Theodore (Chilliwack).
His faithful canine, Dempster, stands guard on his behalf. Eddy was a
friend of Bill's for 35 years.
As per his wishes cremation has taken place. A Celebration of a Remarkable
Life will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2015 1pm at the Ryder Lake
Farmers and Women's Institute Hall on Elk View Road, Ryder Lake, Chilliwack.
The family requests anyone attending to bring a vase of flowers and following the Celebration the attendees will in turn give them, on Eddy's behalf, to a local child or senior.