Edward Peter Jack Moxey of WilliamsW Lake passed away peacefully at Cariboo Lodge on December 14, 2002.
Ed was born on September 30, 1930 in Vancouver.
He grew up in the Kitsilano area, attending Lord Tennyson elementary and Kitsilano high.
During high school, Ed parked cars near the Vancouver Sun building for pocket money and later worked in the family cafe, the Milk Bar, at Fourth and Burrard.
His uniform consisted of a white jacket, black pants, polished shoes and a black bow tie. With never a hair out of place and slicked back, he waited tables after school and on weekends to pursue a career in radio.
He attended the Sprott Shaw School of Commerce and completed training as a radio operator/telegrapher. His dream at that time was to join the Navy.
Once Ed met Hazel, his plans changed. They were married in 1951 and shortly thereafter Ed accepted a holiday relief posting with CN Telegraph in Hazelton, B.C.
Moving from the city to life in a small remote area of B.C. was an adventure and one which he never regretted. From Hazelton, Ed and Hazel moved to Stewart, B.C. where their son, Danny, was born.
At that time, the only access was by boat or plane. From Stewart, Ed’s career found the family in Atlin, Wells and finally a posting to Williams Lake in 1956, where son Bev was born.
Ed continued to work for CN. His first office was located in what is now MacLellan’s Restaurant on Mackenzie Avenue.
With limited telephone service available, Ed personally delivered telegraph message to many remote areas of the Cariboo, at all times of the day and night.
With technological changes and pending closure of the Williams Lake CN office in the early 1970s, Ed commuted to Prince George for two years before leaving CN.
His proficiency in communication led him to a new career with the Ministry of Forests as the Regional Radio Operator. In a short time, Ed became the Voice of the Cariboo.
His voice was known throughout the region. It is said he didn’t leave his post until all the field staff were safely back and accounted for and all air traffic was on the ground.
During the busy fire seasons, Ed’s duties included forest fire mapping, dispatching initial attack crews, patrol planes and water bombers. Ed retired from the Ministry of Forests in 1988.
Ed became interested in the RCMP during his early career postings to remote parts of the province.
As they had only one member detachments, the members would call on Ed to patrol with them when backup was needed.
From then on Ed was hooked. In 1963, Ed joined the Williams Lake RCMP auxiliary program and served for 33 years in this volunteer capacity, becoming the longest serving auxiliary member in Canada.
Ed was proud to be a part of the force to serve the community and particularly liked working with kids.
He understood their problems and the pressures put upon them and tried to help whenever he could.
Ed always enjoyed the great outdoors. The family cabin on Chimney Lake became his weekend refuge. Whether swimming, boating or supervising the barbecue, Ed was surrounded by family, friends, and of course the family pets, dogs, cats and squirrels.
The many evenings relaxing around the campfire were special times.
Ed was a long standing member of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 139 in Williams Lake.
He became initiated into the Masonic Lodge in 1952 while in Atlin and affiliated with Centre Lodge Williams Lake in 1972.
Ed is survived by his loving wife, Hazel, son Danny and granddaughters Danielle and Nicole, son Bev and granddaughter Stacey, all of Williams Lake, sister Iris Rushton of Richmond, nephew Gregg (Leah) Rushton of Tsawwassen, sisters Yvonne (Billy) Curry of South Carolina and Paula Moxey of Courtenay, many nieces and nephews.