... from Ted Pearson ...
Edmund Pearson (Ted) Obituary
It is with sadness and love that we say goodbye to Ted who died on May 15th, 2026 at the MNI (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) at the age of 90. He chose the MNI as he was donating his brain and spinal cord for research. After a champagne toast, he passed away peacefully by MAID with his son Christopher (Jody), his niece Barbie (and Tom) and his grandniece Tara (and Sean) by his side.
Ted is survived by his son Christopher (Jody), his grandchildren August and Basil, his niece Barbie (Tom), his nephew Frank, his grandniece Tara (Sean), and their respective children and grandchildren, and by his cousins Angela and Ashley. Ted was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Ruby, his older brother Michael, his nieces Wendy and Michele, his nephew Andrew, and his dearest cousin Huguette Bourgery.
Ted survived 3 years in a Japanese concentration camp in China, 2 years in a boarding school in Post WWII Britain, and stage 1 pancreatic cancer, but after 20 years he could no longer tolerate his progressively increasing back pain, so he asked for MAID.
Ted may best be described as a Renaissance Man. His knowledge and interests were extensive and diverse. He was a wonderful conversationalist. And, he cared about people.
Ted loved to travel. His many trips included the 5-day Andes Trail to Machu Picchu; hiking 200 kms of the Compostelle de Santiago from Lyon to Conques in France; visiting India 6 times, where he saw tigers twice. He saw the mountain gorillas in Rwanda at the age of 81; went on safari in Tanzania and Kenya during the great migration. He spent one month in Egypt and entered the Great Pyramid, Luxor, and Aswan. In Australia, Ted did open water scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef followed by the shark dive, no nets, at Holmes Reef. He visited the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand. He saw pigmy elephants and orangutans in East Malaysia. He visited the Lascaux Caves in France before they were closed to the public. He sat in the Dead Sea in Israel and visited Petra in Jordan. He walked on the Great Wall of China twice.
Ted was passionate about wine and cooking. He was President of the Montreal Chapter of the International Wine and Food Society for 3 years. His culinary skills were extensive and encompassed food from around the world, often with his own recipes. In fact, he cooked 3 multi-coursed dinners for his family on the days before he died.
Ted loved the arts, especially opera and ballet.
Ted loved to read, mostly mysteries and political thrillers, and he kept up to date with world news.
Ted spent the winter months, from 2016 to 2025, on the Island of Penang, Malaysia, for the weather, the people and the food.
Ted had a good life. He will be dearly missed by his loved ones and friends. He thanks everyone who contributed to his life and he apologizes to anyone he may have hurt. It was not intentional. Ted thanks all the doctors, nurses and medical assistants who provided him with such good care during his life. According to his wishes, Ted was cremated with no viewing or service. Any donations to Dying with Dignity would be appreciated.
Published on May 16, 2026 in the Montreal Gazette
