Obituary for Edmond Paul Friday
Mr. Edmond Paul Friday, age 84, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 5th, 2022 at the TBRHSC with his wife Denyse by his side.
Paul was born to Ruby and Donald Friday in Port Arthur, Ontario on November 24th, 1937. Paul was raised in Thunder Bay and grew up at 321 River Street alongside his three siblings Tom, Donna and Ron. He attended PACI high school and furthered his education at his beloved Michigan Tech University (Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity) and graduated in 1961 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Paul was married to Cecilia (nee Turchyn) for 31 years and raised their three children, Michael, Tom, and Janice before her passing in 1996. Paul was fortunate to meet Denyse Harvey, and they married in December 2000. They spent the next 21 years together traveling, fishing, eating, and spending time with friends and family.
Paul worked at V.B. Cook Engineering, the former Department of Indian Affairs, and Matawa First Nations Technical Services. After retirement, Paul continued to work in the consulting field on many First Nation initiatives. Throughout his life, Paul had a strong work ethic and was dedicated to providing for his family.
Paul was a man of many passions. He enjoyed fishing and “putting on a clinic” for anyone who dared to take on the challenge. Paul’s close friends, Kenny Jacobson, Don Smith, and Don Lysak were always ready for a fishing trip. Paul's love of the Group of Seven, Canadian landscape painters, spawned his passion and creativity for acrylic painting. Since his first painting in 1978, Paul has shared his talent with friends, family, and strangers alike. A Paul Friday original is a cherished memento. Paul’s other interests included his 67’ green convertible Mustang, gardening, watching the Blue Jays, curling, watching Queen’s hockey, feeding the birds, and enjoying the family camp that he built on Hick’s Lake. Paul particularly enjoyed watching his grandchildren play hockey, soccer, and dance and took every opportunity to spend time with them. Paul always had a pocket full of treats for the many dogs that he loved having in his life. No matter what life had thrown his way, he never lost his sense of humour. You could always count on Paul for the most hilarious birthday cards.
Paul was a kind and generous soul. He was patient, gentle, and was loved by everyone who knew him. Paul will be deeply missed by his wife Denyse, his children Michael, Tom, and Janice (Rob), grandchildren Katie (Christopher), Oscar, Sloan, Ruby, and his great grandson Cohen. Also saddened by Paul’s passing are his sister, Donna Plichta, his aunt Gen, sisters-in-law Effie Colosimo and Kay Friday, Denyse’s sisters (Blackie, Blondie, and Donalda), her children (Patrick, Charlie, Bernie, and Bobby), their spouses, and their children, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Paul is predeceased by his first wife Cecilia, his father and mother-in-law Alex and Katherine Turchyn, his parents, Donald and Ruby Friday, brothers Tom and Ron, and brothers-in-law Nick Plichta and Raymond Colosimo.
The family would like to thank his dedicated home care nurse Kathleen Moore and the staff at the TBRHSC, floor 2B.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation for family and friends will take place on Friday, February 11, 2022 from 10:00 until 11:00am at Sargent and Son funeral home, 21 North Court Street. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ciaran Donnelly officiating. Those attending the service must provide proof of double vaccination and proper identification. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to register on Paul’s page at www.sargentandson.com or call the funeral home 345-5351. Those who are not able to attend may watch the service virtually on the Sargent and Son Facebook page. Interment to take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the TBRHSC foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.
Paul was born to Ruby and Donald Friday in Port Arthur, Ontario on November 24th, 1937. Paul was raised in Thunder Bay and grew up at 321 River Street alongside his three siblings Tom, Donna and Ron. He attended PACI high school and furthered his education at his beloved Michigan Tech University (Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity) and graduated in 1961 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Paul was married to Cecilia (nee Turchyn) for 31 years and raised their three children, Michael, Tom, and Janice before her passing in 1996. Paul was fortunate to meet Denyse Harvey, and they married in December 2000. They spent the next 21 years together traveling, fishing, eating, and spending time with friends and family.
Paul worked at V.B. Cook Engineering, the former Department of Indian Affairs, and Matawa First Nations Technical Services. After retirement, Paul continued to work in the consulting field on many First Nation initiatives. Throughout his life, Paul had a strong work ethic and was dedicated to providing for his family.
Paul was a man of many passions. He enjoyed fishing and “putting on a clinic” for anyone who dared to take on the challenge. Paul’s close friends, Kenny Jacobson, Don Smith, and Don Lysak were always ready for a fishing trip. Paul's love of the Group of Seven, Canadian landscape painters, spawned his passion and creativity for acrylic painting. Since his first painting in 1978, Paul has shared his talent with friends, family, and strangers alike. A Paul Friday original is a cherished memento. Paul’s other interests included his 67’ green convertible Mustang, gardening, watching the Blue Jays, curling, watching Queen’s hockey, feeding the birds, and enjoying the family camp that he built on Hick’s Lake. Paul particularly enjoyed watching his grandchildren play hockey, soccer, and dance and took every opportunity to spend time with them. Paul always had a pocket full of treats for the many dogs that he loved having in his life. No matter what life had thrown his way, he never lost his sense of humour. You could always count on Paul for the most hilarious birthday cards.
Paul was a kind and generous soul. He was patient, gentle, and was loved by everyone who knew him. Paul will be deeply missed by his wife Denyse, his children Michael, Tom, and Janice (Rob), grandchildren Katie (Christopher), Oscar, Sloan, Ruby, and his great grandson Cohen. Also saddened by Paul’s passing are his sister, Donna Plichta, his aunt Gen, sisters-in-law Effie Colosimo and Kay Friday, Denyse’s sisters (Blackie, Blondie, and Donalda), her children (Patrick, Charlie, Bernie, and Bobby), their spouses, and their children, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Paul is predeceased by his first wife Cecilia, his father and mother-in-law Alex and Katherine Turchyn, his parents, Donald and Ruby Friday, brothers Tom and Ron, and brothers-in-law Nick Plichta and Raymond Colosimo.
The family would like to thank his dedicated home care nurse Kathleen Moore and the staff at the TBRHSC, floor 2B.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation for family and friends will take place on Friday, February 11, 2022 from 10:00 until 11:00am at Sargent and Son funeral home, 21 North Court Street. A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Ciaran Donnelly officiating. Those attending the service must provide proof of double vaccination and proper identification. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to register on Paul’s page at www.sargentandson.com or call the funeral home 345-5351. Those who are not able to attend may watch the service virtually on the Sargent and Son Facebook page. Interment to take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the TBRHSC foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.