ANDREW EDIS (ED) ELDRIDGE

Andrew Edis (Ed) Eldridge passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013.
Ed was predeceased by his parents, John Eldridge and Margaret Brown Couper; brothers, Alfred, John, and Fred Eldridge, and James Napier; and infant grandson, Gabriel Couper Eldridge.
He is survived by Helen, his loving wife of 59 years; daughter, Cathryn (George) Shields of Grand Rapids, Mn.; sons, Jason (Melinda) and Devin (Barbara) of Fort Frances, Ont.; brother, George Eldridge of Winnemucca, Nev.; and sister, Anne Hall of Elliot Lake, Ont.
He also is survived by his grandchildren, Graeme, Jonathon, and Ian Shields, Andrew, Alina, and Brianna Eldridge, and Olivia and Aubrey Eldridge, all of whom he loved deeply and was very proud of their accomplishments.
Ed was born Oct. 25, 1930 in Fort Frances, Ont. His mother moved the family back home to Scotland in 1936, where he received all of his education through to secondary school in various towns in Scotland.
In April, 1947, he returned to Fort Frances on his own and was followed by the rest of his family over the next few years.
Ed started working in the paper mill in 1948 and there met the lady who turned out to be the one he could not live his life without. They were wed in 1953 in St. Catharines, Ont. and proceeded to travel the highway of life together—a few bumps along the way but mostly just darn good living.
During his 44 years of employment with the local mill, Ed worked his way up from mail boy to eventually becoming director of Customs and Immigration, an achievement of which he was very proud.
He greatly enjoyed the challenge and travel opportunities that his position provided, and was able to put his knowledge and experience to good use after his retirement when he went into business with his son, Jason, and created J&E Importers.
Shortly before retirement, his family had a workshop built in the backyard, where Ed spent countless happy hours on woodworking projects. He also built several grandfather clocks which hold a place of pride in his children’s homes.
Ed loved to travel and meet new people. In 1976, he and Helen took their family on an extended trip to Great Britain and Europe, a learning experience that their children still talk about to this day.
After retirement, he and Helen travelled with friends and family to many places, including Australia, Hawaii, St. Maarten, and Las Vegas. In particular, Scotland held a special place in his heart and trips to revisit his boyhood “stomping grounds” in Stirling and Helensburgh always were a highlight.
The happiness and well-being of his family always was first and foremost in Ed’s mind. Watching his grandchildren grow and develop their own individual talents was the highlight of the last 20 years of his life.
He was always one of their biggest supporters and made a point of attending as many piano recitals, concerts, basketball games, and figure skating competitions as he could.
At Ed’s request, a private family service was held Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013 at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Fort Frances, with Rev. Diane Clifford officiating.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Salvation Army.