Obituary of Edward James Follows

Edward James (Ted) Follows made his final exit stage right, camera left on Friday October 21, 2016, after 70 years as a leading actor in Canadian stage, television and radio productions, as well as touring in the U.S.A. and Great Britain. Ted was born in Ottawa to Isabella and Edward Follows on November 30th, 1926. As his father was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Ted was raised across Canada in Trenton, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Dauphin and Toronto. In 1945 he was awarded a scholarship to the Banff School of Fine Arts which led to his first job with Vancouver’s Everyman Theatre and so began a prolific career in the arts and entertainment industry. He was a founding member of the Straw Hat Players (later the Muskoka Festival), and in 1976 he was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal as a founding member of the Halifax Neptune Theatre. Ted also had many fond memories and stories of his years at Theatre New Brunswick and the Stratford Shakespearean Festival. Ted appeared in over 100 radio and television productions including the CBC drama “Wojeck”, and the title role in the series “McQueen”. He also directed and produced shows for CBC and TVO. In 2000 Ted was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Kitchener-Waterloo. In February of 2016 Canadian Actors Equity recognized his theatrical contribution with a Life Membership Award. In his later years Ted remained active in the local arts community. His energy, mentorship and passion was an inspiration to all. His many friends and colleagues will deeply feel his loss. Ted is the father of four children by his first wife Dawn Greenhalgh; Edwina (Matthew Ives), Laurence (Peter Ferrie), Samantha (Sean O’Bryan) and Megan, who are also in the entertainment industry, and with whom he particularly enjoyed working. In 1988 Ted married the love of his life, Susan Trethewey, musician and educator, and they have lived happily in Kitchener. Ted will be greatly missed by his wife and children, as well as his grandchildren: Lyla, Aaron, Russell, Samuel, Mikayla, Rowan. He was deeply loved by his mother-in-law Thelma Trethewey and in-laws Paul, Jim (Nancy), Mary (David Moody), Catherine (Rob Klea), his brother Jack (Catherine) and his many nieces and nephews. Ted was predeceased by his parents and father-in-law George Trethewey. Friends are invited to share their memories of Ted with his family during memorial visitation at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, Monday October 24, 2016 from 7-9 p.m. Visitation will also continue on Tuesday October 25, 2016 from 5-7p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church 50 Erb St. W. Waterloo. A memorial Service will follow at 7 p.m. Reception to follow. Condolences for the family and donations to P.A.L ( Performers Arts Lodge Toronto) may be arranged through the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.