Obituary of John (Jack) Charles Edwards

John (Jack) Charles Edwards
December 15, 1949 – May 3, 2024

Jack Edwards passed away peacefully in the Surrey Memorial Hospital
following a 5-year battle with mesothelioma. He is survived by his wife
and love, Roberta, his brothers Barry (Charlotte), Gordon (Doris), and
brothers-in-law Mel (Lila), Don (Lisa), and sister-in-law Barbara; also
loved by several nieces, nephews and their families. He was
predeceased by his parents, Edith and Charles Edwards.

He was born and raised in small-town Alberta at Consort and Hanna,
then worked in Calgary and Ft. McMurray in the early 1970’s. Jack,
along with close friends Wayne Kautz and Pat Parker, became
professional engineers (U of A graduates) when career choices were
neither clear, nor compelling but it all turned out better than they could
have imagined. He relocated to the greater Vancouver area in 1975
where he was employed in various senior management positions with
BC Hydro for more than three decades.

World travel was always a big part of Jack and Roberta’s lives. Their
favourite travels were to South and Central America (Peru / Brazil /
Venezuela / Ecuador / Guatemala), Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa,
China and Mexico where he picked up a love for archeology. Jack tried
not to take life too seriously or intensely but was also known for his
strong work ethic. He and Roberta visited more than 30 countries and
he rode 26 different motorcycles more than 300,000 kms. in his
lifetime. Their biker friends shared many long distance rides and social gatherings, which also became an important part of their lives. Jack
enjoyed learning from everyone in his path and he often spoke about
those he admired including family members, many friends and work
associates.

Through Jack’s volunteer work with St. John Ambulance, Canadian
Council of Aboriginal Businesses, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
and North Shore Search and Rescue, he became good friends with a
wide cross-section of people. His several years of negotiations in his
role at BC Hydro created many more working relationships with leaders
in the First Nations communities. Jack enjoyed current affairs and
history; particularly that of World War II. He was an avid collector of
coins and historical memorabilia. Jack shared his interest in
numismatics with his nieces and nephews.

A loving husband and travel companion to Roberta, a son, brother and
uncle. A steady influence as an uncle, his guidance was consistent in its
theme – trust your intuition, work hard and make time for the ones you
love. His niece, Christa, often referred to her Uncle Jack as “the world’s
most interesting man”. Jack will be dearly missed by family and friends
and especially by his wife, Roberta.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers,
a donation to the Canadian Mesothelioma Foundation:
info@cmfonline.org or to the Surrey Memorial Hospital (Palliative Care Unit)