Obituary of Edwin William Wellstood CD (Canadian Forces Decoration)
Passed away early in the morning on Friday October 19th in his 92nd year after a long journey with Alzheimer’s disease. In his heart, Edwin was first and foremost a soldier. He enlisted as a young man and began his career as a Private. More than 40 years later he retired as a Major. As a member of the Canadian Guards and then the Royal Canadian Regiment he served tours in Britain, Germany, Israel, Syria, Cyprus, Tanzania and Vietnam as well as many posts in Canada. After his retirement he took on extra work with the Canadian Forces and earned a promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel. Retiring from the army was the saddest thing in his life; he missed it profoundly even decades after he left.
He was a loving, caring husband to Rosemary, his wife of 49 years, a loving and supportive father to his son David, and a doting grandfather to his grandson Liam. He will be sorely missed by his daughter-in-law Tammy. He was predeceased by his mother Kathleen, his father Edwin and his brother Allen.
He grew up in Toronto but over his life he made homes in: Oromocto, Petawawa, Ottawa, Trenton, Belleville, Kitchener and others. He always enjoyed returning to the family cottage on Gull Lake where he liked to dip his feet in the water and enjoy the beauty of the trees.
He was a charming, gentle and polite man and he connected easily with people: especially those with ties to the military or to places where he had traveled. Even as Alzheimer’s stripped away the layers of his personality, he remained a gentleman: polite and charming. He always wanted to reach out and hold hands with anyone who visited or cared for him.
For several years, he participated in the Adult Day Program at the Downtown Community Centre in Kitchener, where he was well known for his dapper dress. He always wore a shirt, a regimental tie and a jacket. Dressing “properly”, as he would say, remained a priority for him even as his illness took so much from him.
We will miss Edwin dearly.
Edwin's family will receive guests at the home of David Wellstood 452 Knightsbridge Crt, Waterloo on Thursday Oct 25 from 7-8:30pm. Please dress casually.
Condolences for the family or donations to the Hospice of Waterloo Region may be arranged through the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo, N2J 1P7, at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.
