Edgar Herbert Giles
1932-2020
Giles, Edgar Herbert, Truro, July 21, 1932 – May
29, 2020. It is with heavy hearts and a great sense of loss that we
announce the passing of our father, grandfather and great-grandfather
on May 29, 2020 at Cedarstone Enhanced Care Centre Truro, Nova
Scotia. He has left us to join Kitty (Catherine Mary), his
lifetime sweetheart of 67 years, who left us January 13,
2020.
Born in Etobicoke (Toronto) in 1932, Dad was the youngest of
4 children of Arthur and Ella Giles. They were a very close and devout
family.
In high school Ed became very active in sports, particularly
football and track and field. It was this interest in track
and field which led to Ed’s first contact with the YMCA and
his life time career. He was asked to join a track and field club
operated by the Toronto Y, this turned into leading a YMCA club for
10-12 year old boys. At the YMCA, Ed found an organization with values
and a mission which matched his own personal values. This
charity offered values based programs and focused on improving the
lives of all people while bettering the communities in which they
operated. Soon Ed had a part-time job at the YMCA during his last year
of high school and 1st year at University of
Toronto Physical Education program. In 1953, Ed became the Aquatic
Director of the Brantford YMCA-YWCA and began what was to turn out to
be a 42-year career within the YMCA. Over the years, Ed
worked in 6 different YMCAs across southern Ontario and Montreal, with
each move to a new city Ed’s career took on greater
leadership roles until he became CEO of the Owen Sound, Sarnia and
Barrie/Orillia YMCAs. He truly loved the work, encouraging
young people to try something new and realize they could make a
difference by making their local communities better places for
all. Ed’s relationship with many of these young
people lasted long after Ed had moved on to his next YMCA and new
community. As CEO, Ed’s job was to ensure the
YMCAs’ sustainability and growth and he knew that he had
accomplished that in each YMCA that he worked. All who met
him throughout his career will remember Ed for his gifts of time,
knowledge and kind and quiet leadership and of course no one will ever
forget his warm and welcoming smiles.
When not at the YMCA Ed loved his family life, spending
summers camping with his always growing family, enjoying the great
outdoors, gardening, working on his hobby farm or bird
watching. He was always quick to volunteer with any of his
kids’ extracurricular sports. As the demands of raising
their five children lessened Ed and Kitty became Square and Round
Dance callers, calling, twirling and sharing their love, knowledge and
friendship to all they met in southern Ontario and Nova
Scotia. During their golden years of retirement Ed and Kitty
moved to Nova Scotia to spend their time closer to extended
family. Here Ed immediately became a member with Immanuel
Baptist Church, sharing his knowledge and management experience with
the church leadership.
Ed is survived by daughters Janet, Sherwood Park AB, Linda
Geddes (Graham), Truro NS, sons Ken (Debi) Stillwater Lake, NS, John
(Kathy), London ON, and Robert (Susan), Valley NS;
grandchildren Rebecca (Geoff), Jeff (Lyndsay), Pamela, Sandra (Shane),
Branigan (Chris), Keegan, Kaleigh, Jordan, Daniel, Marlena, Zachary;
step-grandchildren Darren, Jessica, Jake, Lindsay and Justin,
great-grandchildren Jessica, Julia, Olivia, Robbie, Aaron, Isabelle,
Sieanna and Lux; sisters-in law Hazel Giles, Marilyn Eige, Glennis
Giles ON, step-brother-in law Harry Schueneman, ON; and lastly
numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.
Ed was predeceased by his wife Kitty, parents Arthur and Ella
Giles, siblings Bernice Small, George and Ern ON. Brothers-in-law
George Small, Jimmy Eige, Bud Eige, sister-in-law Jean, Dora Batton
ON.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date at
Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Donations in
memory may be made to a charity of your choosing or one of the
Ed’s favourite charities – YMCA, Immanuel Baptist
Church (Truro) or Alzheimer Society. Private messages of condolence
may be sent to the family by viewing Edgar’s obituary online
and selecting “Send a Condolence” at
www.mattatallvarnerfh.com
And nothing is the same
For we, your family loved you
In a very special way
We’ll hold you close within our hearts
Forever to remain
To walk with us through our lives
Until we meet again
Rest in Peace
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Edgar Herbert Giles 19322020..
Death notice for the town of: Truro, Province: Nova Scotia