January 18, 1926 - May 30, 2019
Edmund (Ted) Patey was born in St. Anthony on January 18, 1926, to Leslie and Amelia (Ash) Patey. Ted married the love of his life, Gladys Tucker in 1950. Together, they built a home and raised three children, Glenn, Kathy and Janice. Their home was always open to the neighbourhood children, many of whom have returned to visit over the years. The latest children to bring joy to his life were his five grandchildren and one great grandchild. He looked forward to their visits and they all cherished every moment they spent together.
As a young boy growing up in Northern Newfoundland Ted loved and embraced winter. He often spoke with pride of his dog teams, his days spent on skis, the boil-ups with friends at Bartlett’s Steady, his many trips to Long Pond and the much anticipated Sports Day on the harbour. He especially loved kicking football (soccer) on the harbour ice or in the fields near the hospital. In later years, he enjoyed his summer vacations around Atlantic Canada camping and exploring with family and friends. His cabins at Long Pond and Pistolet Bay brought him together with friends and provided much joy and relaxation. He loved to plant his vegetable gardens and watch them grow over the summer.
He always said that he lived through many eras of transportation from dog teams and boats to snowmobiles, cars and airplanes. Once he was introduced to motorized transportation, he developed a new passion which led to a career as engineer of the hospital ship ‘Maraval’. He always said “Before roads, the sea was our highway”. He spent many summers travelling the Labrador Coast and Northern Newfoundland with doctors and nurses who provided medical assistance. He said that he even learned to take and develop x-rays on the Maraval. Ted often recounted one eventful trip when the Maraval encountered a hurricane near Saglek Bay. In order to save the vessel, he and another crewman rowed ashore in 18 ft waves to attach a line. This event was documented by a photojournalist who was on board and the story was published in Life Magazine issued September 19, 1949. Another venture he talked about was when he was asked by Dr Curtis to travel to Boston to bring the new hospital boat, Albert T Gould, back to St. Anthony. He was the only Canadian on board.
He carried his love of engines to shore, where he was Mechanic and later the Vehicle Operations Manager at the Grenfell Mission garage. He serviced every type of engine including St. Anthony’s first fire engine, a 1929 Model A truck. He remained in this position until 1991, when he retired after 48 years with the International Grenfell Association/GRHS.
Ted still found time for recreation and was one of the founding members of the St. Anthony Athletic Club. The club established and maintained the first outdoor rink and was instrumental in the building of the St. Anthony Olympia. Ted spent countless hours maintaining the water pumps and generators at the arena. He was described as a valuable asset and great contributor and in 2005 was inducted into the St. Anthony Recreational Hall of Fame as a Builder.
He was a real historian and had an amazing ability to recollect with accuracy any event that he encountered throughout his life. He has been interviewed by several authors and has provided essential information for them to complete their writings about Northern Newfoundland and Labrador. Listening to him tell stories of his lifelong adventures will be sadly missed by family, friends and all that knew him.
He is survived by his children Glenn, Kathy (Colin Morris), Janice (Paul Kattenbusch); grandchildren Danielle (Joshua Cole), Shawna Morris (Albert Rand), Lauren, Brooke and Nicholas Kattenbusch; great grandchild Patrick Cole; sister Violet Decker; brother Dennis Patey (Dorothy); niece, Sharon Spurrell; nephews, Dion, Danny and Darren Patey.
He is predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Gladys, his sisters Mary Belle Patey and Rosalie Spurrell.
Visitation to be held from Kerry M. Fillatre’s Funeral Home in St. Anthony on Saturday, June 1, 2019 from 3-4 pm and 7-9 pm and on Sunday, June 2, 2019 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. The funeral will be held on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 2:00 pm from the United Church in St. Anthony with Rev. Gus Pendleton officiating. Interment to follow. Donations of flowers graciously accepted as well as donations to the Alzheimer’s Society in loving memory of Mr. Patey’s late wife, Gladys.