With sad hearts we announce the passing of Edward Thomas Roman. Peacefully, surrounded lovingly by his family, at the O’Neill Centre, Toronto.
Loving life-partner of Judith Eleanor Crossland; gentle, patient father of their daughters Aidan Mae (Jeremy Coghill) and Robin Jean (Brent Stamplicoski); proud, doting Pappa of 5 beautiful grandchildren: Ella,
Roman, Grace, Olivia and Emma.
Predeceased by his father Edward, mother Lorraine, brother Johnny and
sister Linda.
Not one to seek fame, Ed was nevertheless fondly known as “The
Grandfather of Canadian Glassblowers,” and his award winning art glass is
collected worldwide. At the tender age of seven Ed learned the skill of torch
work from his father, a neon glass tube worker, and financed his university
studies through sales of glass figurines. As a University of Toronto graduate, Ed taught secondary school history for three years before returning to School at Sheridan College school of Craft and Design. There, he studied the fine craft of hot-glass furnace blowing, and met Jude.
Initially, Jude and Ed worked from their Bardsville Studios outside of
Bracebridge. In 1979, seeking a ‘quieter’ lifestyle, they moved to a small
homestead outside of Brudenell and established Windy Ridge Studios.
Ed spent many happy years following his dream of blowing glass and
painting before developing two terminal conditions, at which time the
couple sold Windy Ridge and moved into Killaloe.
Although Ed thoroughly enjoyed his 40 years of country life in the Valley
and the friendship of many, he was a ‘city boy’ at heart and his wish was to
spend his last days in Toronto, the city of his childhood.
Ed left this life content, having fulfilled all his wishes: making a living as an
artist, raising a family, returning to the city, living and loving fully. He will be sadly missed by all those whose lives he touched with his fine art and his
quiet, friendly, generous nature.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2-5 p.m. at the Lions’
Hall in Killaloe.
In memory of Ed, donations to the Killaloe and District Public Library gratefully accepted.