ÉDOUARD BÉDARD
It is with great sadness that we announce the untimely passing of Dr. Édouard Bédard at the age 87 years, at the Lakeshore General Hospital on March 24th, 2023, from cardiac complications.
Ed sadly leaves behind his cherished wife of 40 years, Joy Weir Bédard. He will also be sorely missed by his dear siblings, Gisèle (Bill Larocque, deceased), Marie-Claire (Hubert Dubois, deceased), André (Dorothea Jimmo), Monique (Aldo Piazza), Yvan (Maureen Farrington), Serge, and Rose-Marie, and sister-in-law Agnes (wife of Jean-Louis, deceased). He will also be deeply missed by many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and other members of the Bédard family, his wife Joy’s cousins and other members of the Weir family, and so many friends who were like family.
Ed was the fourth child of a large family of eleven children. At the age of 14, he entered the seminary where he remained and eventually joined the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. In this profession as Brother, he worked as a teacher in various cities in Ontario, after which he became the principal of the Sacred Heart Juniorate in Summerstown. He then did missionary work in the Philippines for six years, working as a teacher, guidance counsellor, and later, superintendent of schools. He then returned to Timmins, where he worked as the director of a family counselling center.
It was there that he met his beloved wife-to-be and started a new chapter in his life at the age of 48 years, marrying Joy in 1983. They moved to St. Catherines, Ontario and Edouard began to work for New Horizons, a government senior support program. Five years later, in 1988, he and Joy moved to Montreal, where he worked as the assistant director of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace for 5 years. During this time, he travelled extensively around the world for his work, to places such as Vietnam, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Latin America.
In 1992, Edouard opened a private psychotherapy practice in Pointe-Claire, offering counselling to individuals, couples, and families, which he continued until his retirement. And during this time, he continued to travel around the world with Joy, on various cruises and other trips.
Ed was also a brilliant and curious man and a life-long learner, who obtained five masters degrees, in marital counselling, pastoral counselling, guidance counselling, education, and Latin. He later went on to obtain a doctoral degree in education in 1989, after which he continued to obtain trainings to perfect his psychotherapy skills until he retired.
Throughout all of these years, Ed’s dedication to God and to the church remained strong, and he was a highly involved and committed member of the St. Edward the Confessor Mission. He also engaged in other volunteer work throughout the years, most recently working for Meals on Wheels with Joy.
Ed will be forever remembered for his compassion, generosity, gentle spirit, and humility. The words that describe him best are pure love. He was a humble man of great compassion who loved with an open heart, and whose selflessness was unmatched. He always put the needs of others first, and his dedication to his darling Joy was beyond compare. He has been a loving and doting caregiver to her for the last several years, and even in his final days at the hospital, his concern was for her only.
We will miss him dearly, especially his warm smile and big hugs, but we are comforted in knowing that he has gone to a better place, free of worry, and that he has been welcomed into the arms of his loving parents, Alberte and Victor Bédard, and brothers, Jean-Louis, Arthur, and Gilles, as well as many other loved ones. His presence in this world truly made it a better place for all of us and his legacy of love and compassion will live on in our hearts.
The celebration of Edouard’s life will take place on Saturday, April 15th at St. Edward the Confessor Mission, 98 Aurora Avenue, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, H9R 3G7. Visitation will begin at 10:00am, followed by a service at the same location at 12:00pm, immediately followed by small reception. For the livestream, please follow this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2121182973?pwd=bmQ4SUw3L2h0dktDUG9iVWNibHhwQT09#success
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Alzheimer and Dementia Society of Canada would be greatly appreciated, in honour of his wife, Joy. We would also like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Serban on the General Medecine/3rd floor of the Lakeshore General Hospital for her care, compassion, and dedication, as well as her kindness toward our family.
Sylvie Bédard
April 4, 2023 at 7:33 pmÉdouard, un grand homme qui a marqué ma vie. Heureuse que tu aies été mon oncle. Tu m’as beaucoup inspirée. Merci tellement. ❤️
Judith Griffiths
April 4, 2023 at 7:51 pmÉdouard was a wonderful friend and neighbour! We will miss him but treasure the friendship we had. Judy & Ken Griffiths
Kendra Griffiths
April 4, 2023 at 8:07 pmMr. Bédard was a wonderful human being who was not only a cherished neighbour while I was growing up, but he was always willing to help me proofread my French term papers and support my family with our various fundraisers. He will be greatly missed. Craig, Kendra, Emma, and Nolan McRobbie.
Stephen Weir
April 5, 2023 at 7:19 amEdouard was a warm, kind soul. He was a valued member of the Weir clan.
Alain Arsenault
April 5, 2023 at 10:02 amOur deepest sympathies and condolences
JOHN FERRARI
April 5, 2023 at 11:36 amVery saddened to hear of Edouard’s passing The Ferrari family is send thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time! Edouard was a very kind soul always willing to help others and will be missed dearly!
Susan Weir Berlingeri
April 5, 2023 at 3:03 pmEdouard was a blessing to the Weir family. His warm smile welcomed everyone to family gatherings. We cherish the memories .
James Patrick T. and Colleen K.
April 5, 2023 at 7:01 pmPlease accept our most sincere condolences for the passing of Edouard.
My mother, Claire Weir Thibodeau, was first cousin to Joy. I first met Edouard when he moved to St Catharines in the early eighties, what a fabulous and generous person.
We benefited from his generosity on many occasions. With Joy he hosted a wedding shower for us, Edouard sang Ave Maria at our wedding and of course Joy played the organ. When I first started a “real” job he and Joy offered me a bed for my new apartment. Without conferring with Joy, Edouard also offered me a set of sheets. I picked up the bed and sheets when both Joy and Edouard were away. A few weeks later, Joy mentioned at a family party that a set of sheets had mysteriously disappeared. Realising that Joy might not have been 100% agreeable to giving up her sheets, I was not sure what to say. Edouard simply winked at me and put his finger over his mouth. After a year or two, I finally ‘fessed up to Joy and everyone laughed about it.
He was a gentile and loving man.
JP and Colleen
Aileen (Weir) Felsher
April 5, 2023 at 7:11 pmOur sincere condolences. Edouard was such a genuine person who I loved to talk with. He will be missed. Such a beautiful obituary written of his life, he had an amazing life of service. RIP Edouard
Thérèse Thibodeau
April 14, 2023 at 9:36 pmQuelle perte pour nous sur terre… Un homme généreux de son temps, écoute, transmission de son savoir et bien plus…. un tellement tendre et simple. Le ciel vient de recevoir un ange extraordinaire. Repose en paix et laisse les gens de là haut te gâter, tu le mérite. Thérèse Thibodeau (Fille de Claire Weir Thibodeau)
lena rochefort
April 15, 2023 at 8:21 amOur sincere condolences to a wonderful man, was a great neighbour always there for you always cheerful and thoughtful his infectious smile will be remembered.
Jane Lee Pankovitch
April 29, 2023 at 8:08 pmRest in peace, dear Édouard. I remember your smiles and warmth as you visited my place of work at The Piggery Theatre with cousin Joy every summer. It was always so lovely to see you both. You are a gift to humanity. You had five masters degrees. I am sure you are in the school of heaven. Enjoy.