Ted passed away in Victoria, BC, after a fall while hiking with his dog, Rosie, on a remote west coast island. Ted leaves behind his beloved wife Sandra of 51 years, his son Byron (Heather), daughter Ellen (Ian), and grandchildren Abigail, Olivia, Amelia, and Thomas. Predeceased by his parents, Atkinson and Leonora, and his brother Cecil, Ted is survived by his dear siblings, Gwendolyn (Ross), Alfred, James, Roger (Louise), and Phyllis (Ken).
Born and raised among the mountains in Rossland, BC, Ted grew into a brilliant, kind, wise, wry, and generous man loved by many. He lived in the West Kootenay region for many years raising his family and forming deep friendships. Ted’s passion for nature and conservation was rewarded by the beautiful and productive gardens he created in Pass Creek and in later years in Powell River. He was happiest when helping family and friends or creating gardens, art, photography, and woodwork.
As a testament to his generosity and health, Ted donated several organs as a final gift of life.
In keeping with his love of the land, he was laid to rest in Royal Oak’s Woodlands Green Burial Park in Victoria. We will celebrate Ted’s life in his garden in Powell River on Sunday, October 13, 2019 (1–4 pm) and in Victoria at Cedar Hill Golf Course on Sunday, October 27, 2019 (1–4 pm). Ted’s men’s group, a valued part of his life, will place a memorial bench in his honour in Powell River.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ted’s memory may be made to the Malaspina Land Conservancy at MalaspinaLand.ca.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Ann Godderis
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Cam Culham Sad to hear this sad news and sending love ..
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Cam Sad to hear this sad news and sending love ..
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Jean MacKenzie Dear Sandy, I was so sorry to hear your sad news. I never had the opportunity to meet Ted but I know from our conversations how special he must have been and how dearly you will miss him. My heart goes out to you and your family.
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John Voykin Sandy, Byron, Ellen. It is with a heavy heart that I write this. I remember Ted as being a kind, gentle, well spoken man. Growing up in Pass Creek was the best thing that could ever happen to anyone. I remember Ted’s letter to the editor in the Castlegar news about certain people in Pass Creek wanting to get their land out of the ALR. I still live in a small but comfortable cabin across the creek and still plant my garden. Your old house makes me smile as it was so beautifully remodelled by you and still looks good. I often wondered how you all are. Please know that my thoughts are with you.
Peace and Love,
John Voykin
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Suzie Bagur Sand, I am so sorry for your and your family’s great sudden loss of Ted. I have such fond memories of you both opening your hearts to me as a newly landed neighbor in Pass Creek. It was through knowing people like you and Ted that I decided to make my life in Canada. He was a truly beautiful person and I’m sure, partner, he will be dearly missed.
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Dan Jones Sorry to hear of Teddy’s passing. I grew up next door to the Crossley family in Rossland and spent many happy hours playing up at their house. A very nice family.
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Brian & Sharon Mauchline Ted was the smartest guy I’ve ever known. I remember walking home from the elementary school with him while he talked about reading Freud and Jung. I didn’t know any other twelve-year -old who was reading that kind of thing and don’t expect to meet any in the future.
He didn’t just read things; he understood them deeply. He had a broad curiosity and a wide-ranging knowledge but, more than that, he had an underlying wisdom. He was concerned not only about the “what” and “how” of things but, more importantly, the “why”. Lots of intelligent people are good at the first two, but not so many at the third. He was like that from childhood; an old soul.
He didn’t show it off. He was extraordinarily modest for someone who had as many talents as he did. When he listened to you, he did it with his full attention, again, a rare quality.
Sandy, Byron, Ellen, Alf, Roger, Gwen, Jim, Phyllis and families, we can only imagine the hole that has been torn into your lives. We hope that time will bring at least a degree of healing and the pain will be outshone by the light of what an extraordinary man Ted was.
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Cathy Aquart Our deepest sympathy to the Crossley family and especially to my dear friend, Byron.
Cathy and Martin
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Susan Ingborg Our Sandy, Byron & Heather, Ellen and Ian, Abby, Olivia, Amelia and Thomas:
We are going to miss our sweet brother-in-law. We were so lucky to have him in our lives. You must be very proud of all the wonderful things he did to make this world a better place for others.
With all our love, Susan and family xoxo
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Cathy Ebert My deepest condolences to all. My thoughts are with you.
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Deborah Shepherd My heart goes out to all; Sandy, Byron and Ellen, the children and family. I am grateful to hear that Ted was an organ-donor, leaving a lasting legacy for others. May all his friends find comfort in having known a wonderful man, gone too soon.
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Lynda Gilchuk Sandy and family – so very sorry for your loss. Even though I haven’t seen either of you in many, many years I have great memories of time spent with you both. Ted was such a kind, quiet, calm, wise, funny, thoughtful, artistic person. Sending love and thoughts to all of you.
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Brenda Parks My deepest condolences to sandy and her family!
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Gerry Luton So sad for your loss Sandra and all the family. The times that I met Ted, I found him to be such a kind man, very caring and very proud of his family. Definitely an interesting guy to share a beer with. I’m very sad that I won’t have the opportunity to do that again. A fine man with a lasting legacy in Byron & Ellen and their respective clans – all wonderful people.
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Norma and Dave Harris So sorry Sandy to you and your family for your loss…you will be in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time
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Elaine and Jim So sorry that Ted passed so suddenly and far too soon. Such a kind, gentle and wise person.
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Terri Laybourne Sending my thoughts to the family at this sad time.I lived beside the family in Rossland.
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David Johnson Dear Sandy and Family
Pat myself and family send our sympathy at the loss of Ted’s life. He will be missed by all at family gatherings and the like. We have fond memories of your family attending the many picnics etc at our farm in Harrop. There will always be a niche for Ted in our memories.
Love from Dave, Pat, Kevin, Wesley and Corinne
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Liz Kellough Thinking of you Sandy and all of your family at this time of such sudden loss. Giving thanks that you had Ted in your lives, that you cherished his final moments together, and that you have each other to both remember all the good times and to grieve his loss from your day to day lives. Take good care. Holding you in my heart.
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Lenore Riddell Sandy and family. I am sorry to hear about Ted. I liked him very much
Lenore
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Kaye Streleoff Drouin Brandics So very sorry for your loss Sandra Byron Ellen Alf & Families.
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Marilyn Carey So very, very sad, Sandy. He was the best husband ever. And Byron and Ellen and your families will miss him dearly as a great father, father-in-law and grampa.
I love the picture you chose-that gentle nature and great smile is something we will all remember.
Wrapping you all in big mental hugs!
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Wes Johnson We are very shocked and saddened to hear of Ted’s early demise. Our love and best wishes go to his family (extended of course – including us) and friends who will miss him.
Love to all, Wendy and Wes.
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Betty Teigen (previously Roper) So very sorry for your loss of this beloved husband!
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Dana Brynelsen I offer the deepest sympathy to Sandy, Byron and Ellen and children and family, for this great loss. Ted was a wonderful human being. I am grateful for our friendship which stretched across many years and different communities, his brilliant mind, his insights into nature, including human, and his humour. He was the best kind of friend, encouraging, helpful and always there for you. My loss is a dim echo to that of his family. I am holding them in my heart as they go through this very difficult time.
Sandy, I was so very sorry to hear about Ted’s sudden passing. He was a very special person – so gentle, kind & caring about people and the world. I’ve always been so grateful for the special care he took to finish our basement area… lovely touches with wood & shelving & all – much more than I’d ever imagined and I think of him often when I pass by his work. Love to you and the family.