It is with great sadness that the family announces the unexpected passing of Joseph Robert (Ted) Bedard in Fredericton on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the age of 86.
Born in North Bay, Ontario January 21, 1924, the third child in a family of six, he was an avid baseball, hockey and football player, earning the nickname "Teddy" in his high school years. He enlisted in the navy and served as a seaman on the Corvette HMCS Lasalle. Enrolling in UNB in Forestry after the war, he graduated in 1949 and worked briefly for Ashley Colter, before becoming a member of the teaching staff at the Maritime Forest Ranger School, until retirement in 1984. He loved his years at the Ranger School, and spoke proudly of the students, and the fact that the UNB woodlot beside the Ranger School was the perfect laboratory for teaching. He was a member of several Forestry Associations. He was past President and member of the Fredericton Golf and Curling Club Inc. Besides his large and loving family, hockey and golf were Ted's passions. He played hockey while in University for the Red Devils and later was the assistant coach for a number of years and was a loyal supporter of Varsity Hockey until his death. For a number of years he was associated with UNB Alumni and received the UNB Alumni Award of Honour in 1978. He was a veteran of WWII and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #4, Fredericton. He was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth (Betty) MacDonald; his parents Patrick Bedard and Ida Cote, brother Aurel and sister Rolande. He is survived by his children Michele Bedard, Fredericton; Marc Bedard(Charlotte Stanton) Upper Cape, NB; Anne Bedard (Alan Archibald), Bedford, NS; Jeanne McNeill (Mike), Riverview, NB; twelve grandchildren: Amanda McElman (Bruce White); Josh McElman (Heather); Ben Bedard (Margherita Marcone); Nicole Bedard (Andrew Schapurga); Dan Bedard; Alex Archibald, Sam Archibald, Maggie Archibald, Emma Archibald, Meghan McNeill, Sydney McNeill, Brett McNeill; two great grandchildren Daniel and Liam Starr. He is further survived by two younger brothers, Gerald (Ginette), New York, NY; Joseph Bedard, North Bay, Ontario; and a younger sister Henriette Tanguay, Welland, Ontario. Ted lived a full life until his passing, remaining in the home he and Betty raised their children in, and played golf this summer beating his age twice.
Visitation will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home, 160 York Street on Sunday, October 24, 2010 from 7 to 9 pm and Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 4 will hold a tribute service on Monday evening at 7 pm. The funeral mass celebrating his life well lived will be held on Tuesday October 26, 2010 at 1:00 pm at Holy Family Parish with Father Jack Dolan officiating. A reception will follow the Mass at Holy Family Parish hall. For those who wish, donations to the MS Society or Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.