July 27, 1935 – July 11, 2019
In his 84th year, peacefully at his home, Edward passed away on Thursday July 11, 2019. During his remarkable life, he influenced and motivated innovation. He was a Patent and Trademark Agent, with a long and distinguished career working for Westinghouse, G E Canada as well as his own practice. When he was not in his office, you could find him working on his fruit trees, vegetable garden or working on his Volkswagen cars. He was an active member in his community with Rockton Agricultural Society and a supporter of the Arts in Hamilton. Ed was a lover of music and sang for many years in the Burlington Welsh Choir and Canadian Male Orpheus Choir. Ed truly never recovered the loss of his wife, Frances Janet Oldham four years ago. He was the proud father of Kym, Scott, Heather (Doug) Spence and Charlene. His true joy, were his grandson’s, Gregory and Tyler Spence and Jacob Oldham. He was the son of Ewart and Margret Oldham, brother to Jean (Jella) Nauta and late sister Ruth (Ritchie) Swan. He was the brother in law to Bill Richardson, Noreen Richardson, Don and Lois Richardson and Peter and Laurie Sturm and many nieces and nephews. His last four years of life where supported by some very special people but most of all Mark Pangowish and Bernadette Gamboa. It is because of their help, support and love for Ed that he had such a great quality of life. Visitation will be held at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main Street, Dundas, on Tuesday July 16th from 2-4p.m. and 7 – 9p.m. Followed by a visitation on Wednesday July 17th at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 115 St Andrew’s Rd, Scarborough, at 11a.m. with a Funeral Service to follow at 12p.m.. Donations, in memory, can be made to Rockton Agricultural Society or the Kidney Foundation.
RIP Ed, a life well lived. You were always “there” for your many friends, and loved ones and took a deep interest in them. You worked hard and played hard. You will be missed, there will never be another you.
Ed and I have been friends since high school days in Agincourt. I have many fond memories of days spent with him on their farm, travelling, singing, and long discussions. He is the best friend I ever had and I will miss him. Gord (Mary) Lomax
Our sympathy to the Oldham family. We have fond memories of Ed and Fran, from the time we were privileged to be at West Flamboro PC.
Stan first met Ed in 1962 when he replaced Stan as one of the two patent and trademark agents in the law department of Westinghouse. The parting was more than amicable, since Stan left to start a practice in Hamilton and thereafter there were regular meetings and conferences via the Canadian Patent Institute between three very good friends Bob Fox, Ed Oldham and Stan Rogers . The friendship was more than helped in that the three wives Frances Fox, Frances Oldham, and Frances Rogers always enjoyed each others company so much. We are grieved that none of the Foxes and Oldhams are now no longer with us , but are sustained by the 56 years of happy memories of wonderful friends together.
It was a privilege to have known Ed. He touched our lives and that of many in positive ways and he will be missed. Our sincere condolences to the family. Willie and Eda
Ed recruited me to curl with him when we moved to Hamilton from the west. We won the first bonspiel we played in at London! Thus began a decades long association – a highlight of which was the modest wager on the Grey Cup for many years – he always for the East, me the West.
Though we moved from Hamilton the annual phone call confirming the wager was a great way to catch up on our goings-on. He is missed.
Our condolences to all members of his family.
Ed was my reference when I applied to Westinghouse and landed a secretarial position in the Salaried Employee Relations Dept. I remember Ed parking his station wagon in the covered area of the Westinghouse Parking lot at Sanford Ave. Enjoyed my chats with Ed over the years at work and at church. I am glad Ed and Fran had lots of good trips and enjoyed lots of social events over the years. My condolences to Kym, Scott, Heather and Charlene.
Shana (Connell) Barnard
I was in Ed’s grade 13 in high school in Agincourt and traveled to U/T by Studebaker after that. Ed was whip clever with a wonderful sense of humour.We shared the excitement of stock-car racing many Fri nights at the C.N.E.He was a wonderful friend and is gone too soon. I retain the songs of our barbershop high school quortet. Ed was blessed and his family graced by his personality. my best to the family.
Ed was one of the first Patent Agents I met when I became a trainee at Gulf Canada in 1979, an early-career move for me. Ed was always helpful and always smiling and positive. My wife Penny remembers him well, too, and Frances, whom she met at a number of PTIC (now IPIC) meetings. We both enjoyed his company very much. He is gone too soon.
Our condolences to the Oldham family. I loved when he and Fran would visit the farm in Burk’s Falls. RIP Ed
Ed the last 2 years have been hard on you , but you are not suffering now, you are probably the smarts man that I have ever met, and we had some great times over the last 50 years, you are now with some of the greatest people to ever walk this earth, and it makes me smile because Heaven has no idea whos coming.
To: Ed’s children and their own families,
I am very sorry for your loss. I really liked Ed.
Ed could light up a room with his smile and a concert hall with his voice.
As an IP lawyer, I had several opportunities to work with Ed over many years and through that relationship luckily got to know Frances too. They were truly a lovely couple who, in every moment they were seen together, seemed to cherish each other’s special company.
I had not seen Ed for several years, since just before Frances died, but saw him frequently over 20 years at IP conventions and always at my law firm’s open house at Christmas.
He made the IP profession proud. I consider myself fortunate to have known Ed.
Ron Dimock, formerly of Dimock Stratton LLP
To Scott, Kym, Heather and Charlene and your families:
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your father and recently your mother. I have fond memories of our camping together at Ipperwash! I remember your dad always liked to laugh. I was blessed to see them a few years ago when I visited your father for patent information. Your mother was as beautiful as ever and your dad very kind.
Sincerely,
Sandra Kowalik
Kym. Scott, Heather, Charlene; Sorry I missed the services of your father but I am sure it was all well attended. Your Dad was a great man and well known for being that. Our families grew up together but both our fathers had fun together with what ever they did, good or bad but always fun.
My deepest condolences
Randy Gunby
My deepest sympathy to Kym, Scott, Heather and Charlene and your
families. Your Father and I met at the University of Toronto in 1959. We
became close friends and during those 60 years our families grew up and
we had many visits, camping trips and parties. Your Dad knew a great deal
and while his career as a patent agent certainly helped to expose him to a
wide range of topics and issues, he was well versed in many other domains,
such as music and many other areas in the social sciences. He was a very
good listener. He was an adventurous type. As an example, with no
forward planning, we met, bought a couple tickets on a Toronto street and
saw the Expos win the 1993 World Series! Ed was a great story teller and
he had a great sense of humor. He was always there for me whenever I
needed his opinion and help.
.
Just found out today of Ed’s passing and then sadly read that Frances is gone as well. He was a big part of our childhood all through the 40s and 50s – visiting the farm was so exciting but as Ed said, “You didn’t have to do the work!”
The past 20 years we emailed almost every other month, until they stopped in 2015. He gave me so many family contacts for Ancestry as well as remembering our grandparents’ address on Cranbrook in Toronto North and the exact color of Grandma’s first car (she didn’t drive until age 50) as well as my Dad’s first car!
Ed helped plan my parents’ burials, both of whom are also at St. Andrew’s. Years ago he brought Frances to Raquette Lake so he could introduce his future wife. They were both so happy.
Miss you, cousin.
i was a class mate of Ed in electrical engineering in the 50’s. that is 1950 not 1850. I was from hamilton and somehow we connected. Ed in his Mersadies went to car races , football games etc for 4 years. We both did not find jobs so we went to grad schoolas well. He was in Eva and I ‘s wedding party in 1960. he came to Hamilton but i moved to Windsor. So it was hard to keep in contact. When i moved to waterloo, he phoned me one day and asked what was the price of my Vw in the driveway. That was where he was phoning from. The last time we met was when we found out that Fran had died and said Thanks for the many years of friendship. rest in peace Ed and say hello to Fran.
Eva and Jake