Obituary of Eddie Ebanks

Passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021 at the Elisabeth Bruyere Health Centre, age 83 years. Survived by his wife Heather, daughter Natasha (Rich) and grandson Marley. He will also be lovingly remembered by Kathy (Jeff) and grandchildren Wesley, Annie, Jonah and Meadow; Kristy and grandson Jackson; Kimberly; and Jordan.  

Eddie grew up in a small rural community on the south-coast of  Jamaica, where he excelled in school, winning scholarships throughout, and eventually studying first Mathematics at the University of the West Indies, and then completing a Masters and Ph.D. in demography at Cornell University.  He went on to a 35 year career at the University of Western Ontario where, in addition to teaching demography and social statistics and authoring countless publications on Latin America and the Caribbean, he was Sociology Department Chair; three times President of the Faculty Association; longtime member of the University Senate and member of the University Board of Directors.  He was a founding member of the Canadian Population Society and many demographers around the world look on him as their teacher and mentor. 

Eddie’s academic success cannot however eclipse who he was as a father, grand-father, husband, advisor and friend.  He was a kind, sweet soul who made special connections with the people he met, the kind of person that we all wish we could be, respected and loved by all with a contagious laugh that was impossible to forget.  He loved golf, tennis and jogging and the enduring friendships that grew when doing these pursuits.  He was proud to have visited most of the countries of North, South and Central America and was particularly fond of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico where he spent two weeks each winter for more than 30 years.

After Eddie’s stroke in 2010, he was determined to recover. He seized life with optimism, determination and gratitude. We are grateful for the kind and loving care provided to Eddie over the past 11 years by Shreejana Shrestha, Conchita Abueg and Maribeth Torrejon as well as many wonderful caregivers from Saint Elisabeth Healthcare.  As Eddie would say, “You were outstanding!”

A Toast to Eddie will be held at Pinecrest Visitation Centre, 2500 Baseline Road, Ottawa on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 p.m. Memorial tributes will be shared starting at 1:30 P.M. In person attendance requires pre-registration. If you wish to attend please call 613-831-7122 or click on the following link to register at  Sign-up  Those who wish to attend virtually can click on the following link at 1:30 for the tributes and toasts to Eddie Toast to Eddie.  Memorial donations may be made in Eddie’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society.