We were recently informed of the recent passing of Edward “Ed” van Oorschot, member of the Magic Circle of Saint John.
From the Fundy Funeral Home:
It seems Ed was always learning new skills. He learned to scuba dive, play the fiddle, and make cedar strip canoes. He renovated an old school bus into a “mobile” home, which took 11 of us all the way to Regina. Ed had so much fun with magic. He loved to learn new tricks, and entertain others with his sleight of hand. The Magic Circle was special to him, and he looked forward to seeing his fellow magicians at the monthly meetings.
Ed loved to fish, and would take his kids out with him. But no way would he put the worms on for us – if we wanted to fish, we had to do it all! We had 4-season fires on the beach, cooking hot dogs and roasting potatoes. He took us wilderness camping on many occasions.
Ed’s heart knew no borders. He and Eke volunteered at an orphanage in Mexico for 6 months, where they were able to use their skills to teach woodworking and sewing. They also spent several months at Harvest House in Saskatchewan providing support to this community. These experiences abroad enriched his understanding of humanity and fueled his commitment to service.
In recognition of his great service to his community, Ed received the Order of New Brunswick in 2018. And in 2023, he received the Queen’s Jubilee award. So well deserved!!!
Our sincere condolences to Edward's wife Eke, his family, and his friends at this difficult time.
