Ted Anderson “died doing what he absolutely loved.” With his passing, he left a strong legacy in the Peace Arch Curling Club where he was a proud member of for decades, said his daughter, Lesley Anderson.
Part of that legacy is celebrated each year, with the Peace Arch Senators Men’s Masters Ted Anderson Memorial Bonspiel – an annual tournament for various teams around the Lower Mainland for 55+ men. It was held this year from Friday, Oct. 28 to Sunday, Oct. 30.
The tournament was named after Anderson who collapsed on the ice after throwing a stone during the same bonspiel in 2007.
After being rushed to the hospital, it was discovered that Anderson had a brain tumour.
Doctors performed surgery, but he died after a couple days of fighting hard.
“It’s a great way to have your father memorialized and remembered. It’s also difficult every year, it doesn’t get easier,” Lesley Anderson, told Peace Arch News on Sunday.
Now, at the end of each bonspiel for the Men’s Masters, Lesley awards the winning team with a trophy in honour of her father, with this year’s prize going to the Chilliwack Curling Club.
Anderson really did it all, from volunteering to driving cancer patients to their appointments, teaching young children how to curl, becoming the youngest president of the Vancouver Transportation Club at age 31 and curling the entire time, racking up over 60 years of experience in the sport, his daughter explained.
“I have to believe there’s other people in the world just like him, but he was a really special and unique individual,” Lesley said.
“Some of the guys still come up to me and tell me my dad’s last words and (other) guys didn’t even know my dad.
“That’s why it’s important to them for me to come and do a little speech… This bonspiel is only here because of all these guys who come every year.”
Anderson’s death was sudden, which made it all the more difficult for his family to come to terms with.
“Now I know, when the doctor says ‘Come in this family room’, it’s not a good thing. (The doctor) said ‘Talk to your dad’… and I did and his eyes flickered.
“I was so grateful that I got to say whatever I needed to say to him because when I kissed him goodbye on the Sunday, I didn’t realize that would be the last time.”
Lesley and her brother were both adopted by their parents when they were young. She describes her childhood as the happiest time of her life.
“For me that makes it even more special. Like they picked my brother and I… Our parents always loved us, we were theirs,” Lesley said.
“Life doesn’t work out the way we think it’s going to work out or even prepare for it to work out, it just doesn’t.
“I would’ve said so much more to him had I known on that Sunday when I had dinner with him that I had less than 24 hours.
“But then, maybe that’s how I should be living my life, like it’s the last 24 hours.
“You’ve got to tell whoever it is whatever you need to say.
“You shouldn’t wait. Don’t wait.”
@SobiaMoman
sobia.moman@peacearchnews.com
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