It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Edward (Ted) Martin Partridge on March 31, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. A fit 78-year-old, he bravely faced an unexpected, hard fought battle with liver cancer.
Ted was born in Kingston, Ontario, on August 22, 1947, to the late Eileen Rizpah Partridge (née Thain) and the late Claude Martin Partridge.
Ted is lovingly remembered by his beloved partner, Gayle Bigelow; his daughters, Sarah Christine Partridge (Gerry) and Laura Thain Partridge (Kevin) and their mother, Patricia Anne Maynes (née Cornwall); his older sisters, Dawne Macpherson (Cluny) and Claudia Scobie (Robert) and his adoring grandchildren, Jaime, Benjamin, and Jordyn. Ted was immensely proud of his ‘two girls’ and his grandchildren.
Ted was a kind,“gentle gentleman”. He was respectful, tolerant, caring and supportive. He was always keen to help. He knew what it meant to show up for others. He engaged with enthusiasm when coaching ‘his girls’ little league soccer teams and was solidly there for family members requiring treatment for cancer.
Ted will be delightfully remembered for his wit, mischievous sense of humour, and the frequent impish twinkle in his eye. His telephone message greeting to his daughters, “Hello, this is your incredibly good-looking father calling (IGLF), never failed to deliver a big smile and chuckle. One day, Grandpa picked up Grandson Ben from preschool, and took him out for lunch. When asked by his Mum what he’d had to eat, he replied, “I had TWO doughnuts! “Ted knew the value of shared silliness. On occasion, to treat himself, he’d turn up the sound in his Silver Mustang, sing ‘Raspberry Beret’ with Prince, his favourite musician; then find the best double chocolate sundae in town.
Ted’s love for studying History began in High School (Oakville Trafalgar). He read widely and voraciously throughout his life. But his ongoing passionate interest was WW1 and WW2 military history. His knowledge was extensive and impressive. At the beginning of high school, Ted joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadets in Oakville. He liked the focus on leadership, citizenship and physical fitness. As a senior cadet, his leadership skills were recognised. He had the honour of being chosen “the Parade Commander”. It was his responsibility to train the cadets and lead formal ceremonial parades composed of multiple joint cadet troops. Ted never lost his great pleasure in seeing an excellent military parade, with smart dress uniforms, precisely executed movements and observed traditions. In recent years at home, he never held back on giving verbal commentary, with useful advice, to the parades he inspected on YouTube.
1965, Ted joined the Lorne Scots Reserve Army, serving in Oakville. On an exchange with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in England, he trained with them in Germany. As part of the British Army, they were the NATO front line during the Cold War. Here, he experienced the reality of war. Ted retired from the Lorne Scots Reserve Army as a warrant officer in 1980, and returned ten years later as a commissioned officer. A Captain with the Cadet Instructor Cadre, he found his niche in exclusively training Army Cadets. He loved the work and found it meaningful. He was an excellent teacher, positive and encouraging. He was aware that as cadets learned the new skills involved in wilderness survival and community service, they built confidence and self-esteem.
With a diploma in Business from Sheridan College, Ted spent many years as a broker in finance. He dealt mainly in the Money Markets, facilitating overnight lending and borrowing between banks and large institutions. Upon leaving ‘bonds for baking’ as he put it, he opened a successful pie shop in Oakville called ‘Partridge & Clare’.
With his sense of style, Ted thoroughly enjoyed treating ‘his girls’ to an afternoon of clothes shopping together, or an evening of theatre in Toronto. Sarah and Laura cherish fond memories of Dad, happily spending summers on his Boat ‘The Blunt End (‘with ABBA’ blasting in the background); relaxing with family and friends at cottages on Lake Temagami and Jack’s Lake; enjoying long Sunday drives.
In retirement, Ted remained relentlessly curious. He sought a wide variety of new learning. He kept abreast of world politics and economics. With Gayle and friends, he nurtured his love of the arts and nature by taking Art Classes, visiting art galleries and museums, enjoying concerts and theatre, walking in the Dundas conservation area and hiking the Bruce Trail. Trips to places as diverse as Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Chile, Scotland, Spain, Mexico, and Cuba were highlights.
Ted loved conversations over a cup of coffee, a shared meal. He was genuinely interested in the lives and experiences of others. He was an excellent listener. He promoted lively discussion and had a sincere interest in whatever topic might come up. Ted was humble about his own talents and accomplishments. Although for those who wished to hear, he could tell many a captivating story from the annals of history or his own endeavours and adventures. He might even share that he was proud of finishing the climb up Mt Kilimanjaro.
Ted touched the lives of many. He leaves behind family, friends, neighbours, who will deeply miss him; his laugh, his wonderful sense of humour, his charm and sweet soul. He was a gentleman right to the very end.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the staff at Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre for their highly competent, committed, compassionate care. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers connected to Margaret’s Place Hospice, who were exceptional in creating a very special place of support for Ted and the family.
For those who wish, please consider a donation to The Dundas Valley School of Art, or The Cancer Research Society
The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date. Please leave a message or a fond memory below.
Rest in Peace, Lovie, Dad, IGLF, Grandpa, Much Younger Brother, Uncle Ted, Captain, Tedster, Dear Friend. You are profoundly loved and cherished. We will carry you in our hearts forever.