William Edward Golby “Ed” passed away peacefully on October 28, 2013 at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital in Castor at the age of 70 years after a courageous battle with leukemia. Ed had been diagnosed 15 years previously but had learned to manage it very effectively.
Ed was born in Coronation on November 26, 1942 to Bill and Marie Golby of Silver Heights. He was Bill and Marie’s second child, after following the birth of the only girl in the family, Laura. After Ed’s arrival came six more brothers: Leonard, Clarence, Allan, Larry, Roger and Brian. It was a very busy household, poor Laura had to deal with all those brothers!
Ed and Laura attended grades 3 and 4 at Theresetta Catholic School in Castor where they stayed at the Convent with the Sisters during the week. Following this, they attended school back at Silver Heights until grade 8 and then attended Brownfield School. Ed was horrible at completing his homework, so he’d wait until Laura had gone off to bed and then would take a peek through her notebook. Ed never missed a deadline until Laura caught on to his tactics and started hiding her books.
After Ed left school, he went on to work at various jobs and found himself in Vermilion where he met his bride of 51 years, Annette May Collins. They were married in July of 1962 in Vermilion, two days after Annette’s 18th birthday. They resided in Vermilion until that fall and then came back to Silver Heights where Ed worked for a local rancher for a few years. In 1966, Ed and Annette relocated west of Brownfield where they established their family farm. Their first son, Kevin was born in October of 1963, followed by Kenneth in January of 1965. Victoria was their first daughter, born in October of 1967, followed by another daughter, Valerie in February 1972. Ed always said Valerie was found in a ditch outside of Camrose as she was a bit of an afterthought!
Ed had the best sense of humour a person could encounter. Even through his illness, he was always giving the nurses a hard time and if he wasn’t teasing someone, he wasn’t happy. He loved to pull a good prank on his friends and one of his favourite tricks was to grease the door handles of someone’s vehicle. It was always funny the first time, but if the unlucky soul forgot about the grease and got it again, Ed laughed even harder.
One of his favourite past times was a game of crib and was usually at the stake of a loonie. Ed spent many hours at their lot at Marie Lake playing crib with friends and was always chuckling if he could skunk someone. Everyone who played him had to be careful of Ed and his sneaky way of counting his hand more than once!
Ed also loved curling with friends and family and spent many years “bonspieling.” His curling highlights included scoring an eight ender at a ‘spiel in Coronation and competing in Provincial playdowns for the Brier.
Ed and Annette farmed in the Brownfield area for over 30 years, until they semi-retired in 1994, moving into a mobile home on the home quarter, while Ken’s family took residence in the original house. Ed wasn’t one to sit still so he went to work for Alberta Hail & Crop Insurance until he retired from that after working for them for 14 years. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling throughout the province conducting his work and made many new friends as a result.
In May of 2012, Ed and Annette moved into Castor after selling the family farm and officially retiring (for the second time). Ed’s health required medical attention this past September where he was hospitalized in Red Deer for four weeks. When all treatment options were exhausted, he was transported back to Castor where he succumbed to his illness five days later.
Ed was predeceased by his parents Bill and Marie Golby; brother Leonard in 1972; brother-in-law Eddie Collins and sister-in-law Florence Collins.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years Annette Golby; his children Kevin (Donna Janvire) Golby, Kenneth Golby, Victoria (Doug Larson) Golby and Valerie (Jim) Gonda; grandchildren: Miles and Bailey Golby, Lacey, William and Katelynn Larson and Brandon, Jesse and Kyle Elhard; sister Laura (Don) Fawcett, brothers Clarence (Donna) Golby, Allen (Cheryl) Golby, Larry (Donna) Golby, Roger (Sherry) Golby, Brian (Kathy) Golby; his brother-in-law Raymond Collins; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Celebration of Ed’s Life was held at the Castor Community Hall, Saturday, November 2, 2013 led by Kaye Hauck. Daughter Valerie Gonda, Cam Brown, Craig Brown, Alden Fuller, Ron Cook, Kevin Wetter, Bailey and Miles Golby on behalf of the grandchildren all gave tributes to the family and friends gathered; as well as a loving tribute from the James Family was read by Kaye Hauck. Several of Ed’s favourite pieces of music were played.
Interment was held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Cemetery with grandson Miles Golby carrying the Urn. Family and friends gathered in the Castor Community Hall for a time of fellowship and a luncheon.
Memorial donations are gratefully accepted on behalf of Ed towards the Brownfield Rec. Centre or to Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com
Parkview Funeral Chapels and Crematorium entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please call 403-882-3141.
Card of Thanks
Thank you to the doctors and nurses who cared for Ed while he was in the hospital, and to all who knew him for appreciating his vibrant character which showed through until his last moment.
