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 EDWARD WILLIAM GULA June 2, 1945 – September 6, 2008 Ed was born on June 2, 1945 in Dawson Creek BC. The 4th of 8 children, Ed lived in the backwoods of Cherry Point Alta. until he left home at age 16. Ed only received a Grade 9 education, but his last report card boasted all A’s & B’s. Being mechanically gifted, Ed was able to build or fix anything. When a new electrical tool or appliance was bought, it came out of the box and Ed would have to dismantle it and then put it back together to see how it worked. Ed worked as a roughneck and drove water truck for Jim McIntosh. Driving tow truck was short lived when he was nearly killed by a drunk driver while out on a recovery. Ed operated equipment for Ray Jones and then worked at Tompkins Construction. Alex Podulski mentored Ed and encouraged him to pursue his Heavy Duty Mechanic Journeyman ticket. In 1978 Ed challenged the test and received his certification. Though he worked on a variety of equipment, he was a CAT man at heart. Ed also worked for VE Brandl and then Finning for 15 years. As Gula Mechanical Services, he contracted to a variety of companies, but spent most of those years at Surerus Construction. On May 15, 1971 Ed Gula and Lyn Gerow were married at St Luke’s Church. This is where life & legacy truly began. Ed and Lyn moved into a small house on a ¼ acre in Clairmont subd. Ed went to work clearing trees and levelling dirt. He and Lyn lovingly created a home for their 3 children and extended family. They lived there for nearly 30 years. Over the years, Ed developed his love and skill in growing a garden and tending a greenhouse. Cucumbers and tomatoes from the greenhouse, everything else you could imagine in the garden. Ed’s veggies were certainly family famous; children would sneak into the garden, some military style on their bellies, to raid the pea patch or whatever they could. There were always plenty of tomatoes and cucumbers to share. After purchasing 5 acres in Charlie Lake, Ed again had fun clearing trees, moving dirt and hauling fill. A new house was moved on and Ed built a garage. Of course there was a greenhouse and a huge garden. He bought a New Holland tractor and played as he worked. He was always busy either outside or in his garage. He worked until shortly before he was admitted into the hospital. Ed blessed his family with many memories. He drove thousands of miles thru BC and Alta., camping and fishing and camping some more. Ed truly loved outdoors, nature and the river hills, especially in the fall. Family drives on Sunday were to the Peace or Beaton river hills for the view and a hike. In the summer there were bonfires in the back yard nearly every night, children played tag and easy-over in the dark. He took his family fishing and boating or down to the creek that ran behind their house. By the grace of the Lord and Ed’s determination, he provided a life and a childhood he could have only imagined growing up. Ed was a quiet man, a thinker, with a quirky smile and a dry sense of humour. He was not flashy. He was proud and stubborn, but not prideful. He was a man who saw what needed to be done and did it. If you asked for help, generally he would. While sick, Ed rarely complained about the pain or the situation he was in. He did what he could until he couldn’t and then humbly accepted help. Ed’s illness came and took him so quickly, but his family is thankful for many blessings. Ed had very little pain. He hated being incapacitated and didn’t want to be any longer than he was. He didn’t have to endure the horrors of therapy and still not be healed. Most important of all, Ed realized how much his family loved him. Though Ed is gone, he is not. His legacy continues through his children and grandchildren, his memory through those who knew him. Ed is survived by his devoted wife Lyn, daughter Lynette and her children, Riley, Kiera and Connor, son Dale and his daughter Tayla and son Ryan, daughter-in-law Christa and their daughter Mazy. Also by brothers George, Lawrence (Sylvia), Phil (Ingrid), Stan (Ellen), sisters Alice, Barb (Tom), Margaret (Mark), Mother-in-law Flo Gerow, Brother-in-law Bert Gerow, sister-in-laws Gloria (Bob) Kaechler, Pat (John) Hartel, Donna Fleming and many nieces and nephews. Thank you to: Dr. H. Brussow for your compassionate care The nurses at the Fort St. John Hospital and the Palliative Care society Pastor Don Holloway for your prayers of comfort for Ed and family Brian and Sean Surerus and the Surerus Construction Family, we can’t thank you enough for your support, generosity and kindness Our friends and family, your love and prayers truly are a blessing for which we are ever thankful For those wishing to do so, donations in Ed’s memory can be made to the Fort St. John Hospital Foundation’s CT Scanner Campaign. A Celebration of Life service was held on September 12, 2008 at the Charlie Lake Church, officiated by Pastor Don Holloway |
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