EDWARD BURDEN THOMPSON

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EDWARD BURDEN THOMPSON September 7, 1909 - November 2, 2009 Peacefully at the Golden West Centennial Lodge, Winnipeg, on Monday, November 2, 2009. Ed will be lovingly remembered by stepsister Edna Raho of Edmonton, AB; sister-in-law Chris Stubbington of Winnipeg; nieces, Joan Prokopanko and Jackie Brown; great-nieces, Sandra (Blake) Ehrich of Balmoral and Karen Kruselnicki of Comox, BC, and great-nephew Randy (Teri) Prokopanko, and their families. Ed was predeceased by Helen, his wife of 69 years, his parents John and Margaret, sister Peggy (Margaret), and brothers Alex and John. Ed was born in Semans, Saskatchewan, on September 7, 1909. He moved with his family to Petersfield, MB, in 1915, Stonewall in 1917 and Balmoral in 1920, with the family settling on a farm two miles West of Balmoral in 1924. After finishing school in 1926, he moved to Winnipeg to learn the automotive trade and eventually took over the garage in Balmoral in 1937. In 1929, through a mutual friend in Balmoral, Ed met Helen, and they were married in 1936. After four years in the Balmoral garage, Ed and Helen bought the quarter section one mile south of Balmoral and started farming and raising pigs. Always an innovative thinker and a pioneer in many aspects of farming, Ed designed and built a new style of barn in which pigs were raised indoors from birth through to market - unheard of in the 1940s and 1950s. The concept and design was admired by many in the agricultural community and was studied extensively by experts from Ottawa. Ed worked closely with Feed-Rite Ltd. and helped in the development of starter feeds for young pigs and was recognized for this work in 1986. Ed was also a pioneer in the practice of continuous cropping, using natural fertilizers and turning over stubble in the fall to naturally replenish the soil. He used what we now call these green techniques for 50 years, from 1941 until he left the farm in 1991. The barn and these unique farming techniques were often topics of intense study and review by the Agriculture Department of the University of Manitoba. The Aggie Dip Boys , as Ed would call them, would visit the farm frequently, as did interested agricultural specialists from all over the world. Ed and Helen entertained farming experts from Nigeria, South Africa, Australia and other exotic locations - nobody ever leaving hungry! Ed was affectionately called Nunc by all family members, a product of niece Joan's inability to say Uncle properly. To many others he was simply Ol' Ed. Nunc was involved in a variety of community events in Balmoral, from building the first skating rink in 1937, a new curling rink in 1938, caretaker at Victoria Cemetery and he even started a Swine Club in 1956. In 1994, Ed and Helen retired and moved to Winnipeg where they took up residence in the Kiwanis Courts of Sinawik Bay. They resided at Sinawik Bay until Ed's health issues required a move to the warm and friendly community of the Golden West Centennial Lodge. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Golden West for the compassionate and loving care they provided to Ed over the past four years. Although he couldn't always hear you, he most certainly appreciated your help and attention. In keeping with Ed's wishes, no funeral service will be held. Interment at Victoria Cemetery, Balmoral, next to his beloved Helen. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children's Wish Foundation, 350 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3J2. MacKenzie Funeral Home, Stonewall in care of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2009