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Obituary of Ted Theodore GAETZ
“Ted” Theodore GAETZ
On January 16th, our family chain was broken. Our beloved brother Ted “Teddy” Gaetz of Fernie, BC passed away at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital from ongoing complications. Ted was born in Bow Island, Alberta on May 28,1955 to parents George and Lottie Gaetz of Faith, Alberta.
Ted is survived by five siblings: Marie Traxler, Val (Bev) Gaetz, Bernice Seward, Lori (Jim) Friesen, Jackie Gaetz, and his dear friend Margaret Cross. Ted is also survived and loved by numerous nieces, nephews, and their children. Ted is predeceased by his parents George and Lottie Gaetz and his brother in-law Grant Traxler.
Growing up on a rural farm, he attended grades one to seven in a one room country school, completing high school in Foremost, AB. Ted worked most of his life in the road construction business and was known as the best grader operator around, which he was very proud of. He also acquired his pilot’s license and owned a Cessna 177, enjoying every opportunity to take friends and family for flights.
In 1976 he moved to Fernie to follow his passion for skiing and took every opportunity to be out on the slopes and catching those powder days. Over the years he had a number of jobs at the ski hill and participated in numerous events such as the Dummy Downhill and the Powder Peddle Paddle. He also enjoyed flipping burgers at the Day Lodge bar, and they were soon known as the Teddy Burgers. Griz Days was always a time he enjoyed partaking in. For a few years he played the role of the Sheriff, dressed in a buckskin jacket and carrying a rifle to ensure everyone had a Griz pin. In later years he ran the grader clearing snow in the parking lots and assisted in directing the traffic.
In the summer he fell in love with golfing and tried endlessly to perfect it. He even got to the point of having a little pitch and putt on his property and everyone who came to visit had to swing a club trying to get a hole in one.
Ted’s house on the ski hill was always a treat, Christmas was a highlight for the family gatherings. He loved spending as much time as he could with all his nieces, nephews, and their kids. Ted had a very special bond with dogs as Skipper, Belle and Whiskey were his true companions.
To our brother, Uncle and Friend Teddy Bear, you will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts, may you Rest in Peace.
www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com
