August 31st, 1931 – April 25th, 2026
With heavy hearts we share the passing of George “Edgar” Mason after a life well lived.
Ed was born in the doctor’s office in Fort Frances on August 31st, 1931. He attended Robert Moore Public School and Fort Frances High School. He had the honour of being selected to attend Couchiching Summer Sports Camp. After graduating high school, he worked selling furniture in Fort Frances. From there, Ed started an apprenticeship as an undertaker with Green’s Funeral Home and took courses at the University of Toronto Banting Institute. Upon becoming a licensed undertaker, Ed moved to British Columbia for a short time before returning to Northwestern Ontario to work at Brown’s Funeral Home in Kenora. A salesman opportunity came up in the sports and hardware department of Chapple’s department store prompting Ed to relocate to Dryden.
Once in Dryden, Edgar met Diane Hill and as the saying goes, the rest is history. On April 20th, 1957, Ed and Diane were married by Reverend Fraser at The First United Church, Dryden. Their wedding dinner was held at the Riverview Lodge; a place they would celebrate many occasions over the years with family and friends.
In 1960, Ed started working for his father-in-law Hugh Hill at Dryden Motors, first as a car salesman and eventually managing the business. When the property was sold and the business closed, Ed took a brief retirement before opening Patricia Chev-Olds in Dryden. In 1982, Patricia Chev-Olds closed and Edgar tried retirement again before becoming an insurance agent at Skillen Insurance. He officially retired in 1994. For many years, Ed was a partner in SAFAM with Patrick Skillen and Frank Fitzpatrick. Their investments included laundromats as well as the construction and managing of the buildings at 105 and 122 King Street.
Ed and Diane enjoyed 12 years as snowbirds in Palm Desert, California. They were happy to escape the Northwestern Ontario winters replacing them with golf, sunshine and fun times with wonderful friends. Over the years they enjoyed exploring much of Canada and the United States. Their international trips included a trip to Ireland, Scotland and England, a Panama Canal cruise, vacations in Mexico and several Caribbean islands.
Ed enjoyed many activities throughout his life including basketball, curling, snow machining, golfing and fishing. Diane remembers many times hearing Ed’s laugh across the course when he was golfing with his friends. He golfed several times a week until he was 89 years old.
Ed was always busy with something – whether tinkering to repair an appliance or lawn tractor, painting a wall, wallpapering or the never-ending tasks at the camp. Ed amazed and amused us with his ‘artistic’ endeavours.
The family “cottage” on Wabigoon Lake was always close to Ed’s heart as well as a source of pride. There have been many memories made at the cottage for 5 generations including weddings, birthday and graduation celebrations, bonfires, chill days and so many barbecues. Sitting on the dock at camp with a “Huck Finn” pole and conversation always made for a good day.
Ed had been a member of the Dryden Rotary Club, a Freemason as well as a Shriner. He also served several years on the public-school board.
Edgar is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Diane, his children Douglas (Erin), Valerie (Tom), and daughter-in-law Linnia. Grandpa was a huge supporter of his grandchildren Brett (Rhonda), Travis (Lauren), Cody (Andrea), Hilary (Orion), Celia (Logan) and Lhasaja (Blaine). GGPapa was always entertained by his great grandchildren, Kahlyn, Ronin, Nolan, Claire, Wren, Perry, Wyatt, Henry and Kaiya. Ed is also survived by his chosen family, the Smiths, Christine and Noel, Adrianne, Kyle, Olivia and Rowan, Meryl, Isaiah and Harriett as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
He will be greatly missed by the family dogs as he was the best ear scratcher, cuddler and spoiler.
Edgar was predeceased by his parents Roy and Delia Mason, his brother Donald Mason, extended family and friends. The hardest day for Edgar was March 30th, 2023, when his son Hugh passed.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Moir, Vicki Hutchison, the doctors, nurses and staff of the palliative care unit at the Dryden Regional Health Centre for their compassion and care.
BEYOND THE SUNSET
There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.
The family invites you to join them for a Celebration of Life at the First United Church, Dryden (50 Van Horne Avenue) on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 11am with Alice Bloomfield officiating.
In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire donations may be made in Edgar’s name to the First United Church, 50 Van Horne Ave, Dryden, ON P8N 2A9 or Dryden Regional Health Centre – Equipment Fund, PO Box 3003, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z6 or through Aurora Funeral Services.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.aurorafuneralservices.ca/obituaries/edgar-mason
Arrangements entrusted to Aurora Funeral Services, 304 Kennedy Road, Site 202, Comp 39, RR3, Dryden, ON P8N 3G2
