1942 - 2013
With deep sorrow we regret to announce the passing of Edward (Ed) Varabioff at the Boundary Hospital on September 11, 2013 after a short bout with cancer.
Ed was born in Grand Forks on October 27, 1942 and resided here his entire life. After leaving school Ed did itinerate work in the orchards of the Okanagan Valley and seasonal work on the potato fields of Grand Forks. Later he landed a more permanent job for the City of Grand Forks from which he eventually retired.
For many years Ed’s favourite hobby was searching through old homesteads and dump sites for vintage and antique bottles and over time amassed a rather impressive collection.
After retirement, Ed devoted much of his time and energy in providing voluntary home care to many ill and disabled persons in Grand Forks and in providing snow and lawn maintenance to many elderly residents in his own neighbourhood. Time spent with his many grand- and great-grandchildren were among his most memorable occasions. Walking his dogs around the block or to and from City Park in all kinds of weather was a special daily ritual both for Ed and his pets.
In more recent years Ed enjoyed just sitting around and reminiscing about the good old childhood and teen years, with stories and anecdotes, that were always flavoured with a tinge of subtle wit and humour and until his last days Ed could be seen sitting a this doorstep indulging himself with a “smoke” and a cup of coffee.
Ed was predeceased by his father Nick Vavabioff in 1984 and his brother Mike of Castlegar in 2008. He is survived by his beloved wife Nola (Vicki), his three daughters Patty Pasin (Al) of Trail, Ronnie Quinn (Randy) of Brentwood Bay and Vicki-Lynn of Lethbridge, AB and numerous grand- and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his mother Mary Varabioff of Grand Forks, his brothers Norman (Nat) of Grand Forks and Peter Varabioff of Vernon and his sister Vera Sneddon of Greenwood. Not to be forgotten are his ever-faithful companions Sebrina and Charlie.
By those who were close enough to know Ed well, he will be fondly and affectionately remembered as a kind, loving and gentle man. He lived a quiet humble and unpretentious life with simple needs and simple wants. He did all he could to help those in need and by all accounts he was a good man.
By request, Ed’s remains have been entrusted to the Grand Forks Funeral Home and Cremation Centre Ltd. for cremation. There will be no funeral or church services. A ‘celebration of life’ will be held at a later date. We would like to gratefully thank all of the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who did all they could to make Ed’s final days more comfortable and peaceful, our own hearts and minds more at ease. We also thank all the friends and neighbours who called and stopped by to pay their final respects. Ed will be missed by many.
“From our of the Light he was born and into the Light he has returned.”