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June 17, 1924 - June 25, 2019
We announce with sadness the passing of our most beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather.
Edward Victor Hird was born in Castor, Alberta, the second child of Victor Charles Hird and Catherine Francis (née Howell). His mother passed shortly after his birth, and he his brother Reginald were lovingly raised by their father and adored stepmother, Olive Mercy (née Gathercole).
Ted was a curious and intellectual person, a great lover of books, newspapers, writing stories and learning new technologies. While working in the coal mine in Cadomin, Alberta, he completed high school by correspondence and then joined the Royal Air Force Wireless Emergency Training program, graduating as a Wireless Electrical Mechanic. During the war he was stationed in the Queen Charlotte Islands, Montreal and Sea Island, finally being trained in radar.
He met his future wife, Catherine Lorna Hird (née Allen) at a Woodward's dance in 1945. They married in 1950.
After discharge from the Air Force, he studied electrical engineering at UBC, graduating in 1950. Ted was a keen member of the UBC ham radio operators and a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation he started work in the Equipment Engineering Department of BC Telephone and continued to serve as a Flight Lieutenant in the RCAF reserve.
In 1956 Ted became a Professional Engineer and moved to the telecommunications firm of Lenkurt Electric, also teaching night school at Vancouver Technical School. With his family he moved to Montreal as Lenkurt's Eastern Regional Manager, later returning to Vancouver as Manufacturing Manager. Ted was "a highly visible one-man cheerleader, touring the factory every day, meeting the foreman and workers." For hobbies, Ted did expert woodworking and enjoyed trailering with his family, as well as building early computer systems by hand. In 1971, he became confirmed in the Anglican Church and was a faithful and active member of St. Matthias, St. Marks and All Saints Church.
Also In 1971, Ted was promoted to Vice President Marketing and in 1977 became the President of Lenkurt Canada and finally President of AEL Microtel. At this time, he also enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors of BCIT.
He and Lorna travelled extensively, taking many wonderful trips to Europe, Israel and cruises, as well as motorhoming across Canada and the US.
Ted retired from AEL Microtel in 1983 and established EV Hird and Associates engineering consultants, also serving on the Board of Directors of Dynapro Systems and as a contributing editor for Telecommunications Engineering and Management magazine and The Telecom Advisor magazine. After moving to White Rock in 1994 he worked hard as president of his strata, managing major renovation projects and tirelessly supporting, encouraging and being generous to his large family, as well as writing his memoirs and making family videos. For the past 5 years he and Lorna enjoyed living at Peninsula Retirement in South Surrey, where he served on the resident's council.
Predeceased by his brother Reg and his loving wife of 67 years, Catherine Lorna, Ted is survived by children Ginny (John Connolly), Ed (Janice) and Wendy (Donald Robinson); his 10 grandchildren, Sarah (Vincent Rorke), Liz (Jeremy Tam), James (Alicia), Mark, Andrew (Ruth), Samuel (Beth Gripping), Isaac, Caleb, Elijah and Gilad; his 6 great grandchildren Hannah, Haley, Grace, Aaron, Kelsea and Catherine, as well as other nieces and nephews.
Ted's funeral will take place at 11am on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre (14381 28th Ave., Surrey, 604-536-6522), followed by burial. The service will be officiated by Rev. Peter Klenner and Rev. Ed Hird. Online condolences can be left at victoryfuneralcentre.ca. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation ER fund (pahfoundation.ca).