Obituary for Edward Ochiena
EDWARD ALEXANDER OCHIENA
January 26, 1938 – March 4, 2022
It is with great sadness we share with you the passing of Edward Alexander Ochiena. He died peacefully at age 84 in Campbell House hospice, Collingwood.
Ed will be greatly missed by his loving wife Gwendolyn Cation Ochiena, with whom he shared 23 years of marriage.
He also leaves his children Rob (Kathrynn) and Sasha Richter (David) and was much loved “Dido” to grandchildren Jacob, Nathan and Haerper; stepdad to Jennifer Barnes (Andrew) and Ryan Cation (Jennifer), and was much loved “Papa Ed” to grandchildren Harrison, Alex, Zach, Emma, Alyssa and Leah. Predeceased by his parents Alexander and Sonya, and wife Nancy Stone.
Ed was born in Toronto and attended North Toronto Collegiate where he excelled in football, basketball and track & field, graduating from Lawrence Park Collegiate. After high school, Ed earned his B.A. and B. of Phys Ed. at Waterloo University, during which time he played football in the CFL (3 years with Toronto Argos and 1 year with Hamilton Tiger-Cats), later getting his M.A. at San Diego State University.
Ed taught and coached at East York Collegiate in Toronto for 6 years before moving to the Overlea Collegiate (now Marc Garneau) where he remained until his retirement. By any measure, Ed was a truly exceptional and dedicated educator, well-liked and respected. The flood of messages from his fellow teachers and former students speaks of his passion and his positive influence in their lives – “awesome”, “the greatest”, “gentle”, “the reason I stayed in school”, “a beautiful soul”.
The family cottage was also Ed’s passion, where he loved to be. He built it in 1968 on Lake Kawagama, adding extra bedrooms and bunkies so that the Ochiena’s could host all their friends. So many years of laughter and fun activities, both summer and winter. So many wonderful memories.
In retirement, Ed and Gwen continued to enjoy a happy and active life, full of adventures. Together they were active in the golf club, curling club and bridge clubs in Collingwood, as well as travelling the world and visiting over 50 countries.
It’s been a good life well lived! Good for you, Ed.
A gathering of family and friends is being planned in the near future to celebrate Ed’s remarkable life, and to tell stories we all love to hear.
If you wish, donations in Ed’s memory to Hospice Georgian Triangle would be appreciated, or to a charity of your choosing.
January 26, 1938 – March 4, 2022
It is with great sadness we share with you the passing of Edward Alexander Ochiena. He died peacefully at age 84 in Campbell House hospice, Collingwood.
Ed will be greatly missed by his loving wife Gwendolyn Cation Ochiena, with whom he shared 23 years of marriage.
He also leaves his children Rob (Kathrynn) and Sasha Richter (David) and was much loved “Dido” to grandchildren Jacob, Nathan and Haerper; stepdad to Jennifer Barnes (Andrew) and Ryan Cation (Jennifer), and was much loved “Papa Ed” to grandchildren Harrison, Alex, Zach, Emma, Alyssa and Leah. Predeceased by his parents Alexander and Sonya, and wife Nancy Stone.
Ed was born in Toronto and attended North Toronto Collegiate where he excelled in football, basketball and track & field, graduating from Lawrence Park Collegiate. After high school, Ed earned his B.A. and B. of Phys Ed. at Waterloo University, during which time he played football in the CFL (3 years with Toronto Argos and 1 year with Hamilton Tiger-Cats), later getting his M.A. at San Diego State University.
Ed taught and coached at East York Collegiate in Toronto for 6 years before moving to the Overlea Collegiate (now Marc Garneau) where he remained until his retirement. By any measure, Ed was a truly exceptional and dedicated educator, well-liked and respected. The flood of messages from his fellow teachers and former students speaks of his passion and his positive influence in their lives – “awesome”, “the greatest”, “gentle”, “the reason I stayed in school”, “a beautiful soul”.
The family cottage was also Ed’s passion, where he loved to be. He built it in 1968 on Lake Kawagama, adding extra bedrooms and bunkies so that the Ochiena’s could host all their friends. So many years of laughter and fun activities, both summer and winter. So many wonderful memories.
In retirement, Ed and Gwen continued to enjoy a happy and active life, full of adventures. Together they were active in the golf club, curling club and bridge clubs in Collingwood, as well as travelling the world and visiting over 50 countries.
It’s been a good life well lived! Good for you, Ed.
A gathering of family and friends is being planned in the near future to celebrate Ed’s remarkable life, and to tell stories we all love to hear.
If you wish, donations in Ed’s memory to Hospice Georgian Triangle would be appreciated, or to a charity of your choosing.