Edward “Ed” Zilke of Vulcan, Alberta, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family, after a long courageous battle with cancer on Sunday December 14, 2003 at the age of 78 years.
Ed was born in Poznan, Poland on October 25, 1925. He was the eldest of five children born to John and Bertha Zilke. Ed served during Work War II with both the Polish and one year in England with British 8th Armies. It was during this time that Poland suffered many casualties of war including Ed’s entire family. Ed came to camp Petawawa, Ontario in 1946 where he was discharged. He started working for Ontario Hydro at Niagara Falls and came out west working on the Langenburg farm in Saskatchewan and then to Calgary building bridges. Ed moved to Brant where he worked at Fletchers Dairy. He met Mary McLean in 1956 and they were married in 1960 and settled in Vulcan where they raised their family. Ed worked at the Richardson and Gould Chev dealership, then South Country Ford, as well as many janitorial jobs and finally at Furniture Villa until retiring.
While Ed was working at Richardson and Gould, they won a trip to Prague, Czechoslovakia to watch the world hockey games. They stayed in the same hotel as the Canadian team and the highlight of the trip, besides being a second honeymoon, was that it was the only time he was close to his home land since birth. It truly was the trip of a lifetime.
Ed was always busy and active in the community and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He participated in three local walk-a-thon’s to raise funds for the swimming pool, skating rink and the Legion. Ed enjoyed walking everyday.
Ed was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #21, Knights of Columbus, Vulcan and District Fish and Game as well as the Vulcan Drop-In Centre. A proud moment for Ed was when he won a gold medal at the Senior Summer Games at Lacombe, Alberta in 1994 in the Dart competition.
He enjoyed fishing and one of his greatest joys was teaching his grandchildren how to fish, camp, play darts, curl and play cribbage. Ed won many tournaments at the rink and at the Legion. He loved to build jigsaw puzzles in his past time.
Ed is survived by his loving wife Mary of 43 years, three sons Brian (Sandy) Zilke their children Brianna, Samantha and Curtis all of Coaldale, Kevin (Terri) Zilke and Murray (Gina) Zilke their children Jessica and Jonathan, a daughter Valerie (Neil) Ogden their children Nathan and Ian all of Lethbridge, three sisters-in-law and their families, numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all.
Ed was predeceased by four sisters and his parents.
Friends are invited to meet for prayers Thursday December 18, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Vulcan.
Mass of a Christian burial Friday December 19, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Vulcan with Rev. Philip Van Tinh Le officiating.
Honorary bearers are Ed’s grandchildren.
Casket bearers Gary Orr, Colin Campbell, Melvin Burgess, Delbert Fischl, Horst Thiering and Dave Wilson.
Internment to follow at Vulcan Cemetery Field of Honor.
If friends so desire, tributes in Ed’s memory can be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation 1331 – 29 Street N.W. Calgary T2N 4N2.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.