Obituary of Edward (Ed) Harry Dyck

July 29, 1934 - September 5, 2020

Ed Dyck passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 5, 2020, leaving us to join his sweetheart Dolores after nearly two years without her.

Ed was born in Main Centre, SK, on July 29, 1934. Well done, good and faithful servant. Dad was the third of six children born to Jacob and Mary Dyck in southern Saskatchewan during the Depression in Main Centre, a town that has vanished into history. Dad came to faith in Christ as a young teen, a decision that changed his life. Dad took a year out of high school to pursue Christian education at Swift Current Bible Institute in 1951. After completing high school, he attended Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, AB for a year. Dad returned to Main Centre and he and our Mom, Dolores, were married in 1956.

Dad and Mom set their sights on Calgary and moved there shortly afterward. Wherever they lived, Dad and Mom joined the local church and found a place to serve. Dad joined the Calgary Police Service and served as a Constable 1st Class for nine years. Dad and Mom attended First Alliance Church, then located on 17th Avenue, where they made many lifelong friends. They welcomed two sons, Dale and Terry, and a daughter Heather, during these early years in Calgary. To spend more time with his young family, Dad changed careers in 1967, joining the insurance business and moving the family to St. Catharines, ON. Another transfer in 1970 moved the family back west to Edmonton, AB. At no time, however, did Dad’s (and now his children’s) allegiance to his favourite football team, the Calgary Stampeders, wane.

Dad worked in various Edmonton insurance and real estate businesses throughout the 1970s. He served at Southgate Alliance Church as a youth leader. The 1980s found Dad working in Fort McMurray in the heavy construction industry and serving at Fort City Church, where Dad pivoted to begin his pastoral ministry.

Dad and Mom served their churches as a team, when Dad pastored, Mom supported however she could. The list of churches Dad served is long, Fort City Church, High River Baptist, Altadore Baptist, Lakeview Baptist, Bonavista Baptist, Innisfail Baptist, even taking a year-long stint in Prince George, BC, at First Baptist, and his final assignment as pastor to seniors at First Alliance Church. Dad loved meeting new people and connecting with old friends. He encouraged people with his big smile, a handshake or a hug, and his presence.

As much as Dad loved his children and enjoyed spending time with them, he was overjoyed to welcome eight grandkids to the family. He proudly wore his Grandpa’s Gang sweatshirt emblazoned with all eight of their names. How he loved his role as Poppa, he made sure to regularly phone or Facebook those that lived far away, he treated them to coffee or ice cream when they came to visit, he attended their sports events and concerts, and loved photographing them so much that the grandkids nicknamed him “Paparazzi.” Dad’s love expanded once again to include great-grandchildren as they joined the clan.

Dad was an avid Calgary Stampeders and Calgary Flames fan. He loved going to McMahon for the Labour Day Classic, suitably attired with Stamps gear, and best of all with family. He proudly wore his Flames attire to watch games at home or on special occasions when one of us offered a ticket. Dad was such an enthusiastic fan, our Mom would shake her head and say, “I’ll be so mad if you have a heart attack while watching sports!”

With Mom’s passing, these past two years were hard for Dad. He missed his sweetheart and couldn’t imagine doing life without her constant presence. Dad took the last steps of his journey to be with Jesus almost two years to the day after Mom’s passing. As with those who make the summit to Mount Everest, the final steps are the slowest, most deliberate, and the most difficult. So it seems with anyone who lives into their 80s and beyond. Dad's last steps in the end were tough, but he endured to the end, and peacefully and quietly slipped into eternity.

Ed will be deeply missed by his three children, Dale (Cathy), Terry (Sandy), and Heather (Cam); eight grandchildren, Jeremy (Meg), Nathan (Sarah), Kyle (Ashley), Mandy, Justin (Elisha), Chantel (Mark), Elizabeth (Alonso), and Chyenne (Andrew); and six great-grandchildren, Zeke, Zave, Donnie, Jake, Logan and Rayah.

A Private Service will be held for family and close friends at First Alliance Church on Friday, September 11, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. A livestream will be available on the McInnis and Holloway website at www.faccalgary.com/media/video/livestream/index.php?VideoID=18622

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Edward’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly online to the FAC COVID-19 response – Lunch Program Fund.

In living memory of Edward Dyck, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th STREET SE, CALGARY, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.