Egerton W. KING

KING, Egerton W. May 19, 1919 - August 21, 2008 After a rich and full life, Edge King passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. He was in his 90th year. His wonderful wife and companion of sixty-four years, Mary, predeceased him in December 2007. Edge was the quintessential man of his era - husband, father, son, brother, navy officer, businessman, community volunteer, friend and mentor, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Edge was born in Calgary and grew up in Okotoks. He developed his love of the outdoors at a young age, casting flies in the Sheep River and collecting the bounty on gopher tails across Alberta's southern prairies. His quest for knowledge was expanded at a young age through his interest in amateur radio, building his own radios and communicating with others around the world. After graduating as an electrical engineer from the University of Alberta, Edge served overseas as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Navy. As part of his duties, he helped bring landing craft onto the shores of Normandy on D-day. After the war, he began his business career as an engineer working for East Kootenay Power in Fernie, BC. He went on to be General Manager of Yukon Electric, based in Whitehorse, and was ultimately appointed President and CEO of Canadian Utilities in Edmonton. Edge was well known and respected in the Canadian business community for his integrity and business acumen. He had great compassion for anyone he encountered facing difficult circumstances. He served as a director on a multitude of boards, both business and community, including ATCO, Canadian Utilities, C-I-L, Pacific Western Airlines, Canadian Airlines, Echo Bay Mines, AT Plastics, Rolls Royce Canada, and the Conference Board of Canada. He also served as President of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Alberta Northwest Chamber of Mines, the Canadian Electrical Association, and the Canadian Gas Association. Some of his proudest moments were his duties as Chairman of the University of Alberta Hospital Board from 1984 to 1990 and his receipt of an Honorary Doctorate of Science from his alma mater in 1988. Although he officially retired in 1984, he remained active on a number of boards, including Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Nature Conservancy. EW had a strong belief in giving back to the community. He served as a director of the Edmonton United Way, the Canadian Special Olympics, the Edmonton Exhibition Board, and the Edmonton Flying Club. With Mary's help, Edge contributed to the development of the Michener Centre in Red Deer, ensuring that the quality of life enjoyed by his son, David, and his friends continues at the highest standards available. He also served as a member of the U of A Business Faculty's, Business Advisory Council. Throughout his life, Edge was supportive of his fraternity, Delta Upsilon. His recreational pursuits were legendary. Fishing and hunting took him to the far corners of the world. Always seeking new challenges, he obtained his private pilot's license and loved to take family and friends on exhilarating flights. He found many great companions on the golf course. His childhood fascination with Ham radio continued into retirement when a tower sprouted in his back yard. He would regale us all with his worldwide conversations. Greatly loved and admired by an extended network of family and friends, including children Don (Ming), Peter (Sandy), Helen (Kevin), Mike, and David; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; his close brother-in-law, Ron Phillips; and special friends Marjorie King and Joanne King. As a teenager, Edge was predeceased by his mother and two of his sisters, Fran and Mary. His youngest sister, Jacqueline, passed away in 2005. The family would like to express heartfelt appreciation to the staff of the Allen Gray Continuing Care Centre for their dedication, care, and friendship over the years. A celebration of Edge's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 28 at Connelly-McKinley in Edmonton (10011 - 114 Street). If you would like to make a donation in Edge's memory, please send it to Camp L.G. Barnes, c/o Michener Centre, Box 5002, Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 5Y5. Edge and Mary's youngest child, David, is mentally disabled and lives at the Michener Centre. Please send condolences to www.connelly-mckinley.com . CONNELLY-McKINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 10011 - 114 Street, Edmonton, Alberta. Telephone: 1-780-422-2222. Published in the Calgary Herald from 8/26/2008 - 8/28/2008