In Celebration of

Ed Wadley

March 25, 1951 -  October 30, 2024

It is with deep sadness that Family and Friends wish to report the sudden passing of Edward Donald Wadley on October 30, 2024 in Toronto Ontario. Son of the late Ted and Marion (nee Campbell) Wadley, Ed was born and grew up in St. Thomas ON. He survived a serious auto accident in 1975 and despite his resultant quadriplegia, lived an extremely independent and joyful life in Toronto ON for most of his 73 years. He had various jobs in both the entertainment and educational fields and was never bereft of loving friends who were always frequenting his downtown home. “Courage is always rewarded.”

A celebration of Ed’s life will take place on Wednesday, November 6th at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity St. Paul’s United Church on 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, On. Visitation at 11 a.m. Refreshments after the service at the church in the Chapel Room.

The Burial will be on Friday, November 8th, 11:00am at Elmdale Memorial Gardens, St Thomas ON.

Guestbook 

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Roxanne & Ken Blackman (Cousin)

Entered November 3, 2024 from PO Box 163, Nipigon, ON

Honored to have known such a dear man: honest, creative, loving.

Daniel Zimmerman (Old friend)

Entered November 3, 2024 from Ottawa

Across distances and time, you were often on my mind. I'll miss you not being here, old friend.

Linda Loomis Stollery (Childhood friend)

Entered November 3, 2024 from St. Thomas

My sister and I were friends with Ed many years ago. We lived on Burroughs Ave St. Thomas across the street from one another. I became acquainted once again a few years back on Facebook. His first question was did I remember his Dad blowing the horn on the train to let his mother and he know he was back from his run. The Wabash train tracks were close to where we lived. Lots of good memories for us back then.

Sarah BUNNETT-GIBSON (Dear Old friend)

Entered November 3, 2024 from Toronto

Dear Ed , well we're going to have to celebrate you with music, laughter ,great stories, all mixed in with our tears.
After all you've been through in this last horrific year. You finally got to go home!.
And now we're sending you off in style to your "Eternal home."
Much love. Sarah.
We all have you as our Shining Inspiration !-- for Courage in our own lives.

Caz Hawkins (Friend)

Entered November 3, 2024 from Toronto

Wings around you forever Edwardo 💜🕊️🙌🏼
Always In love and gratitude in all ways,
Your cockney mate 🤓
Caz

Life Stories 

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Matthew Wadley (Cousin)

Entered November 4, 2024 from St Catharines ON

Ed secured tickets to attend the very last Toronto Blue Jays game at the old Exhibition Stadium before they moved to the newly opened SkyDome (now called something else). This was May 28, 1989. So Ed, Susan Macdonald, Matthew & Margaret Wadley attended. In one of the middle innings, centre fielder Dave Gallagher of the White Sox fouled a pitch directly behind home plate into the concourse level where we were sitting. The ball actually popped into Ed’s neck, then dropped down and bounced on the concrete floor before Margaret retrieved it. Sitting immediately behind us was recently retired Blue Jays Third baseman Garth Iorg who was one of Ed’s favourite Blue Jay players so Margaret got Garth to sign the ball and Ed put it and a player card of Garth Iorg in a keepsake container on his bookcase at home, where they still have a place of honour to this day.

Matthew Wadley (Cousin)

Entered November 4, 2024 from St Catharines ON

On the same day as the Live Aid Concerts (Saturday July 18 1985), Ed, a friend of whom I cannot remember her name, Margaret and myself drove down to Gerry Wadley’s cottage on Teal Lane in Long Point for a mini-family get together. They played this “Wadley” game of putting a large sombrero on your head and downing a shot of tequila while singing that mariachi song, La Negra I think. After about an hour of that, one of us, maybe it was me, decided we were going to take Ed into Lake Erie, wheelchair and all. (This was before they invented those blue accessible mats on beaches) Anyway, we did it. Ed was actually almost up to his neck in the surf and LOVING IT. I saw a photo of it in one of Ed’s albums at his house just a couple days ago. A very very special moment that Ed never forgot. Special thanks to Uncle Gerry who more than likely encouraged it and saw that it happened!

Photos 

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