Ed

Ed was born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan in 1935.  He lived on a farm. After completing high school, he came to Edmonton to train in carpentry. He credentialled as a carpenter in 1958. In Hay River, he was the ‘go-to’ guy for workers untrained because apprenticeships were new in Canada then. He helped workers interpret blueprints. Therefore, Ed was teaching before he became a teacher.
Ed suffered a back injury and weightlifting assisted his healing. After his back improved, he continued with power lifting. He stresses he is a weightlifter[LS1] , not a body builder.
Ed trained as a High School carpentry teacher in Edmonton where he taught 37 years. He also taught first aid after himself training with St. John’s Ambulance. He developed a first-aid course for teachers at Victoria (Vic) High School. Ed taught first-aid in his carpentry classroom.
His advice is for maintaining physical health is that everyone should be involved in a physical activity they choose, to provide conditioning. Walking is good. But Ed stresses everyone choose an activity they like and will do to stay fit. We need to be active as we age because aging, decreases basic strength. Without basic strength a person loses speed. Weightlifting slows strength loss.
He suggests increasing fitness, beginning with 10 repetitions of any exercise, such as, squats, presses and back raises.  It’s difficult, but research supports that exercise provides ability which allows a person to maintain his or her independence in daily activities. After body weight squats, work up to adding weights. Weightlifting strengthens muscles around joints, building strength.
Ed’s wife, Brenda who he married in 2003, went to the gym where he taught, so she could see him more.  Beginning weightlifting at 60 years of age, she set a Canadian weightlifting record for women aged 70-75, at age 71. This year, she turns 80, and she’ll be in a new age category, anticipating setting a new Canadian Women’s weightlifting record.
Ed likes living in Parksville, where he coaches weightlifters, men, and women of various ages. But he regrets not being able to help Ian, his son, raise his children in St. Albert.
Ed’s grandchildren are important to him and his relationship with them is special.