Obituary

In loving memory of Edward Bailey. Ed Bailey, a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on December 19th, 2025 at the age of 89. His life was a testament to family and faith. Ed was born on May 5th, 1936 in Sudbury, Ontario. The eldest son of Percy and Carmel Bailey, he was raised in Coniston and Garson, with his sisters Connie, Betty and Nancy and brother, Danny. The young “Sonny” loved his grandparents homestead at Bailey Corners and in the summer going fishing with his dad on Lake Wahnapitae aboard The Floss. Winters were spent minding the net in local arenas. Work as a heavy equipment mechanic took Ed north to Iroquois Falls where he met and married Loreen St. James, beginning a blessed 65-year marriage. The couple lived briefly in Iroquois Falls and Timmins, moving to Sudbury in 1964. He continued to work in heavy equipment with Crothers (now Toromont) for 47 years. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Loreen and five daughters: Tracey (Stephen), Mary, Cathy (Rob), Nora (Brian), and Jennifer (Ken). Family was everything to Ed and he was his daughters’ champion. He gave his grandchildren and great grandchildren his time and attention, and unwavering love and support travelling from home to home doing every job imaginable. He was immensely proud of his five granddaughters and grandson: Sarah (Grant), Julia (Elise), Ellie (Lucas), Melissa (Gavin), Allison (Bradlee) and Jeffrey (Savannah) and their children, his great grandchildren, Hunter, Scarlet, Miles, Olivia, Abby, Theo and the soon to arrive, Freddy. Ed was a longtime member of our Lord of the World Catholic Church in Sudbury and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He coached in the Sudbury Playground Ringette Association for more than 30 years and served on its executive. When they retired, Ed and Loreen wintered in Clearwater, Florida for two decades. He filled his days helping neighbours and hosting regular family visits. In 2008 they moved to Elora, Ontario becoming members of St. Mary Immaculate Church. Ed’s final days were spent at Hospice Wellington where he was provided with all the care and compassion he always gave to others. Ed will be deeply missed, remembered for his faith, kindness, humanity, work ethic, abiding love of family, pride in being Canadian, and in the selfless way he served his friends, co-workers, neighbours and community. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary Immaculate in Elora on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 11am. A celebration of Ed’s extraordinary life will follow in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice Wellington, Guelph.