Edward
"Ted" Cudworth born July 13, 1939 in Toronto, Ontario died
peacefully April 1, 2024 in his beloved community of Montague, PEI. He
leaves behind his daughter Laura-Jean Cudworth and son-in-law Tony
Burke, nieces Kimberly Bromby (Pete), Jennifer Smith (Dave), and
nephew David Smith. He is predeceased by his Father Edward Cudworth,
his mother Isabel Cudworth (nee Evans), sister Julie Smith,
brother-in-law Doug Smith, and wife Mary Stubbert.
He
loved his family but also recognized a family is something you build.
As he put it, a family is made up of people you can count on and
people who can count on you: "simple."
Ted
was never one to abide by established practice, ever. He lived his
life on his own terms, always. Except in one area: he was a member of
AA and followed the 12 steps to the letter. He celebrated 49 years of
sobriety last August and attended meetings every week, until he
couldn’t. His copy of The Big Book was his most valuable
possession.
He loved animals of all kinds
but especially those that were strays or abandoned. His last dog Max
was his "head of security" and a loyal companion that gave
him solace in his later years. He loved the skunks, blue jays and
crows that came onto his property and could discuss in detail their
habits; he fostered a respectful relationship with each of them. Many
times, he proudly noted that he preferred animals to
people.
He was a mechanic by trade and
could fix just about anything, with just about anything. He could fix
a car with a coat hanger and use a street curb as a lift. He loved
engines and the way they worked. Older cars and motorcycles were an
endless source of fascination. Just a few days before he died a show
about motorcycles came on the TV screen. He perked up and explained
which motorcycles were best for stability and what a joy it was to
ride. He took up riding in his fifties with a small gang of friends
and spent many happy weekends looking for winding roads and beautiful
scenery between Ontario and the Maritimes.
Ted’s family would like to thank the medical
team who walked him through each step to the end of his life and his
GP Terry McGinnis for the years of superb care. Heartfelt thanks go to
the nursing team at King’s County Hospital for their tender
kindness day and night. Deep gratitude goes out to the Homecare team
who made it possible for him to live independently and
for
their gentle urging to rethink what home could look
like. Thank you also to the social workers who nudged gently and moved
quickly when he was ready to make a change. Finally, to the staff at
Perrins Marina Villa for a safe and wonderful place to live out his
final months.
A
funeral service will take place at Ferguson-Logan Montague Funeral
Home on Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m. followed by a reception and burial
at Murray River Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please
consider a donation to the PEI Humane Society or the Canadian Cancer
Society.