Obituary of Orest Edward Zirk

Orest Edward Zirk

December 24, 1927 - March 22, 2012

Eddy was born at home near Tisdale Saskatchewan, and enjoyed his boyhood years in the farming community. He often told stories of the mischief he got into. One of them was of a time when he and his sister Helen, cut down a neighbour's beautiful blue spruce and hauled it home to be decorated for Christmas.

His father passed away at the age of forty five and Eddy, now a teenager, became the "man of the house". He worked in a logging camp, as a Vancouver Island Coach Lines driver and a taxi driver to help support his Mom and sisters.

It was a rainy day in Ladysmith when he picked up a pretty young woman who eventually became his wife of sixty two years. Eddy and Joan have four children and ten grandchildren. Ed worked hard all his life to provide for his family, with Joanie at his side.

They returned to Cranbrook in 1970 to start a new company called Valley Propane and eventually purchased KaDe Cycle and Sports. He later sold that business and purchased M&K Plumbing and Heating, which he ran until his retirement. Because of his shared love of hockey with son Paul, Eddy became active in the Cranbrook Colts organization. One of the many jobs he took on for the team was installing radiant heat in the arena. He was a 50 year member of ACT/UCT, and a volunteer with the Cranbrook Lions Club and Moyie Community Association.

He loved to have fun and his children have many fond memories of family fishing and camping trips. He really loved to have his family, friends and neighbours around him and took every opportunity to invite everyone to share in his enjoyment of snowmobiling, fishing, taking his grandchildren tubing and cooking wonderful meals. And oh yes…….he liked the odd cold beer. Here's to you Eddy. We're going to miss you!

Ed passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He is survived by his loving wife Joan, son Paul (Colleen), daughter Mary Ann (Ron Jenkins), son John (Cindy) and son Brian (Lori), sisters Eileen and Loretta (Howard), grandchildren Nick, Michael, Lesley, Rebecca, Jon, Allura, Megan, Jenny Lee and Taylor and many nieces and nephews. Last but not least, Jewel, the much loved family dog. He was predeceased by his father John, mother Ann, sister Helen and brother-in-law, Guy.

A memorial service for Ed will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 2:00 pm at McPherson Funeral Home, 2200 - 2nd Street South in Cranbrook, BC. Those wishing to make a memorial donation in honour of Ed may do so to the: Moyie Lake Community Association, c/o Alex McDonald, 3029 - Westside Road, Moyie, BC, V0B 2A0.

 

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com