Took his last breath on Earth and his first breath in Heaven on June 11, 2018, after suffering from Cortico-Basal Degeneration (CBD) for eight years. He was predeceased by his parents Dietrich D. and Margareta Rempel, his brothers, George, Ewald, Abe and Clarence Rempel. He was also predeceased by his dear son Edward Bruce Rempel in February 2016. He leaves behind his sister Hertha Follis (Glenn), Herb Rempel (Verda) and Verna Woloshen (Mike). He is also survived by his wife of 60 years, Myrtle-Anne, his daughter Cheryl Holmes (Denis Lampron), his son Kirk William D. Rempel and his five grandchildren, Derek Holmes (Victoria), Meredith Holmes, Shae-Lynn Rempel (Evyn Bartlett), Samantha Rempel, Alyssa Rempel, and seven great-grandchildren: Chase, Spence, Oliver, Ricardina, Vanessa, Sydney and Elyse.
Ed was born in Abbotsford in 1936 and lived at home until he married Myrtle-Anne Reimer on August 30, 1957. He attended Philip Sheffield High School. After he married Myrtle-Anne, they moved to Fort St. John, where Ed became Supervisor and then Superintendent of the McMahon Oil & Gas Refinery in Taylor Flats, where they lived for eight years. Their daughter Cheryl Lynn was born in Fort St. John on July 15, 1959. Their son Bruce was born on January 25, 1964 and Kirk was born December 27, 1968. The family moved to Langley in 1966 where Ed bought an Imperial Oil Bulk Plant, which he sold after he and his brothers, Ewald and Clarence, decided to start a company called Rempel Bros. Concrete Ltd. Ed and the family moved back to Abbotsford, in 1967. They sold the Canadian company (Rempel Bros. Concrete Ltd.) after 24 years in business. Ed stayed on for three further years as President. Following that, he and Myrtle-Anne were involved in other businesses, including Rempel Bros. Concrete Inc (a USA enterprise), Greenbank Sand and Gravel, Lower Mainland Steel, Lower Mainland Concrete Products as well as Apollo Concrete Products and many other companies.
Ed wrote in journals for 50 years of all his business dealings and made notations of his thoughts. He enjoyed classical music, and especially the soprano Kiri Te Kanawa. His favorite song was Ave Maria. Ed loved business, but he was passionate about his family. He loved each member dearly and unconditionally and prayed for each and every one. He was an avid reader of mostly history, business and biographies. Ed enjoyed cycling, tennis and running for about 50 years until he got sick. He memorized poetry and the scriptures to keep his mind active and did the New York Times crossword puzzles each day. Ed was appointed to serve on the Board of Governors of BCIT; the Board of Governors for the Matsqui- Abbotsford Police Association. He was also President of the Amalgamated Construction Association of Canada, President of the BC Concrete Association and served as well as a member of many other boards, including the Economic Development Advisory Board for the City of Abbotsford, the United Way, and the Sevenoaks Alliance Finance Committee. He was also a former President and Co-Founder of the Independent Business and Contractors Association (ICBA).
Ed will be greatly missed by his family, many friends and business associates. His motto always was “Take the High Road”. He was a visionary who had a deep Spiritual Faith.
A memorial service will be held at the Sevenoaks Alliance Church in Abbotsford, BC on July 9, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate in memory of Ed Rempel – Power to Change – 20385 – 64th Ave. Langley, BC V2Y 1N5 (for the acct. of Lauren Berg) or to the charity of your choice.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Edward Leonard Rempel June 11th 2018.source
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique