ED HART

1924 - 2004

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Edward Francis Hart on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 at the age of 79 years, after a lengthy illness at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary.   
Ed is survived by Betty, his beloved wife of 56 years; his children Wayne (Marlene) of Calgary, Garry (Wendy) of Grande Prairie, Trudy Kurtz of Medicine Hat and Ken (Rebecca) of Regina; his brother Garvin (Erna) of Calgary; nine grandchildren and one great grandson, Leanne Hart and her son Chance of Dawson Creek, Melissa Hart (Kyn) of Grande Prairie, Ryan Hart (Megan) of Red Deer, Carrie Hart of Dawson Creek and their mother Valerie Hart of Dawson Creek; Kristie Kurtz, Kara Kurtz (Kurtis) and Kevin Kurtz, and their father Ken Kurtz all of Medicine Hat; Carli Hart, Mackenzie Hart and their mother Cyndie Britton all of Regina and special grandchildren Trina and Justin French and Christopher Schneider.  Ed is also survived by his sister-in-law Olive Hart of Lethbridge, brother-in-law Mitchell Cruickshank of Caroline and numerous nieces and nephews.  
Ed was predeceased by his parents Grace and Sylvester Hart, brother Bill Hart, mother and father-in-law Audrey and Angus Cruickshank, father-in-law Chester Lee Lewis, brothers-in-law Bob Cruickshank and Glen Cruickshank.  
Ed was born on September 19, 1924 in Retlaw where he attended school for 11 years and completed grade 12 in Vauxhall.  Ed furthered his education at Olds College where he met Betty, his bride to be.  He graduated from Olds College in 1947 and farmed in the Vauxhall district until 1975 when they moved to Lethbridge.  Ed was a founding member of the Vauxhall Co-op and the Expanse Coulee Feeding Co-op and served on the Board of Directors for both.  He enjoyed a new career in Real Estate for many years and enjoyed retirement in Lethbridge taking special pride in his gardening.  He was very proud of his children and his greatest joy was his grandchildren.  Edward had a great love for many sports including curling and baseball and in later years took up golf. He umpired semi-pro baseball for many years in Vauxhall and southern Alberta.  Curling was a favorite pastime in the winter. Ed especially enjoyed the annual ritual of attending the Medicine Hat Men's Open bonspiel for many years with his good friends from Vauxhall.  Golf became a retirement passion and he loved to joke about the fact that he was the only family member to have a hole in one. Edward was proud of his children's accomplishments both in their professional and private life. His children will sadly miss him and forever cherish his memory.  
Special thanks go out to the Doctors and nursing staff at Lethbridge Regional Hospital and Foothills Hospital for their care and compassion.  
The Funeral Service will be held at the Vauxhall Mennonite Brethren Church, 320-9 Street North, on Saturday, July 31, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Kevin Powell officiating.  Interment to follow in the Vauxhall Cemetery.  
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Ed's name may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 207, 542-7 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2H1.