Obituary of Edward Cyr

Edward (Ted) Cyr, CRSP Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend Nov. 24, 1932 †" Sept. 15, 2011 St.Catharines, Ontario Quietly after a long and courageous battle with health challenges at The St. Catharines General Hospital, on Thurs; Sept. 15, 2011 with his family by his side. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Marg and his two cherished daughters of whom he was so proud, Lori M Preston and Cheryl A Boniface who brought him home two sons, John S. Preston and James C. Boniface. Together they gave him the grand children in whom he so delighted, Jennifer, Kyle, Kelly and Gwendolyn, who was born on his birthday. To them he was Grandpa Scallywag. Also his beloved sister Dolores Bastings, brother-in-law, Don, his younger sister Lois and sister-in-law, Janet Cyr. Special friends, David and Olga Patterson and Joan and Robert Deplanche, God children, Adrina Patterson Vanburen, (Michael), Ryan Patterson (Rebekah), Joseph Deplanche (Nayson), brother-in-law, Steve Farner, ( Marilyn) and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Ted was predeceased by his parents Yvette and Gordon Cyr, his brother Joseph, his in-laws, Anna and Stephen Farner, Sr., and cherished friends Clyde Henry Belle Luders, and George Mackie. Ted began his working career as a carpenter/millwright at Ontario Paper Company where he also served as a First-Aider and Fire Fighter. He was also an instructor and examiner for St. John†™s Ambulance. Safety became the driving passion of his life with the result he joined the Construction Safety Association, followed by working as Safety Director on many of the †œflag ship projects†� in Ontario. He became Canadian Corporate Director of Occupational Safety for the Bracknell Corporation until creating his own consulting company, BCB Safety Consultants Inc. which included regional, national and international clients. He received many award for the individualized manuals he created for many of his clients and guided them in creating safer work places for their employees. He took pride in turning cost departments into profit centres. During his career he was honoured by the Board of the Canadian Registered Safety Professionals of which he was a charter member for his dedication, integrity, leadership and contribution to the safety profession and by the American Society of Safety Engineers for his dedication to the promotion of high professional standards. Ted was also the recipient of the Gil Samson Award for leadership in Accident Prevention and Safety Education and recognition by the Worker†™s Compensation Board for assisting in the return to work of rehabilitated workers through the development of a modified work program. Ted also sat on the Boards of Hamilton/Halton Construction Association, the Safety Committee of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Toronto and the Council of Ontario Construction Associations. In addition to his professional dedication, Ted was the President of the PTA of the school his children attended where he led the establishment of an after hour program for children of working single parents. He was also one of the founding directors of the Niagara Region Childrens†™ Safety Village where he created and sponsored the †œYoung Heroes Bursaries†� for children who prevented a serious injury or saved a life because of what they had learned at the Safety Village. After recovering from his first stroke he became the co-founder of the St. Catharines Chapter of the Survivors of Stroke Niagara. After battling a second stroke and several other health challenges Ted took up residence at Henley House where he received outstanding care under the leadership of John Bergin and his superb team, We are most grateful to them for their care and in particular, Erica Ducroix for her compassion and understanding. We are also grateful to the Paramedics, the Emergency Cardiac Trauma team, Dr.Anna Kobylecky, Dr.Neil Malcolm,, Intenstive Care Unit nurses Gary Navin-Barker and Debbie Krueger.of The St. Catharines General Hospital. Their compassionate care; sensitivity and forthright communication eased a difficult situation. We also acknowledge the many years of dedicated care and support of Dr. Ken Taylor and to Flavio Iammarino in assisting Ted in dealing with his many challenges. Ted was always the †œgo-to-guy†� when anyone ever had a problem. No matter how busy he was, he made time to help. Wherever he was, there was love and there was laughter. He never ever ran out of hugs. He cherished his family and his †œfamily of friends†� He will be sorely missed. The lines that follow were left with us by him When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom filled room Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little †" but Not Too Long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that we once shared Miss me †" But Let Me Go. In accordance with Ted†™s wishes cremation has taken place. Visitations will be held at the George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton St. St. Catharines on Sunday Sept 18, from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. A celebration of his life will take place in the funeral home on Monday Sept 19, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Ted†™s memory be made to the Niagara Region Children†™s Safety Village †œYoung Heroes Fund†� or to the St. Catharines Chapter of Survivors of Stroke c/o Ontario March of Dimes