A prominent Abbotsford businessman and community-minded citizen has died.
Ed Rempel, who helped start and then later sell Abbotsford-based Rempel Bros. Concrete Ltd., passed away on June 11 at the age of 82.
He, along with his brothers Ewald and Clarence, ran the company for 24 years, with Ed serving an additional three years as president after the sale. He went on to continue in the business field, working with the American division of Rempel Bros. Concrete Ltd., Greenbank Sand and Gravel, Lower Mainland Steel, Lower Mainland Concrete Products, Apollo Concrete Products and several other companies.
But he didn’t dedicate his time solely to business endeavours, as he served on a number of local, provincial and national boards.
He was appointed to serve on the board of governors of BCIT and the board of governors for the Matsqui-Abbotsford Police Association. He was also president of the Amalgamated Construction Association of Canada, president of the B.C. Concrete Association and also served on other boards, including the economic development advisory board for the City of Abbotsford, the United Way, and the Sevenoaks Alliance finance committee. He was also a former president and co-founder of the Independent Business and Contractors Association (ICBA).
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Myrtle-Anne, his daughter Cheryl Holmes (Denis Lampron), his son Kirk William D Rempel, and his five grandchildren – Derek Holmes (Victoria), Meredith Holmes, Shae-Lynn Rempel (Evyn Bartlett), Samantha Rempel, Alyssa Rempel, and seven great-grandchildren: Chase, Spence, Oliver, Ricardina, Vanessa, Sydney and Elyse.
A memorial service will be held at the Sevenoaks Alliance Church in Abbotsford on July 9 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family urges people to donate in memory of Ed Rempel – Power to Change – 20385 64 Ave., Langley, B.C., V2Y 1N5 (for the acct. of Lauren Berg) or to the charity of your choice.
