Edward Arthur Lumley, or Ted as most knew him, passed away quietly on January 1, 2026, in Blind River, Ontario. Born July 7, 1936, in Sudbury, Ontario, Ted spent 89 years filled with meaningful connections, varied interests, and giving back to his community.
Ted grew up in the lively city of Sudbury and went to Copper Cliff High School there. His schooling set him up for a career that spanned several fields and locations. He started working at General Telephone in St. Petersburg, Florida before coming back home to work with Bell Telephone and INCO in Sudbury. Ted’s entrepreneurial side really showed when he owned Underwater Unlimited Dive Shop and Training Centre in Val Caron and later ran Schoolhouse Printing on St. Joseph’s Island. He also founded the Island Clippings Newspaper that still serves St. Joseph’s Island today with care.
Ted had lots of hobbies-he was curious about many things. During the ’60s and ’70s he played hockey as captain of the St. Petersburg Stars team and worked as a mechanic and driver at Sunshine Speedway racing stock car number 407 down in Florida. He loved scuba diving too and was part of the Dolphin Aquatic Club and Underwater Adventurers near Sudbury.
When he hit his sixties, motorcycles caught his interest; he bought his first bike then joined the Gold Wing Road Riders Association where he stayed active into his eighties. Ted gave a lot back through community service too – being a member of Lions Club for over three decades starting with St. Joseph Island Lions then Bruce Mines Lions club after that. Coming from a line of Masons (third generation), he belonged to Algonquin Lodge and City of Lakes Lodges sharing friendship and wisdom there.
Sports kept drawing him too – curling was one favorite especially cheering for the Jacobs Rink; plus you’d rarely find him missing a Blue Jays or Sudbury Wolves game either. And stories? Oh yes! After family dinners he’d often tell jokes or spin one of those “stories” leaving everyone laughing or thinking warmly.
Ted leaves behind family who love him dearly: sister Ann Hurd (Ron), son Michael Lumley (Laurie), daughter Susan Lumley (Kyle); grandchildren Theresa Bloor (Guy), Craig Lumley (Karol), Joshua Lumley, Jessica Valade (Dan), Oliver Lumley-Pfeil, Madison Lumley-Pfeil, Libbie Lumley-Pfeil; plus great-grandchildren Sara Joyes, Makayla Joyes, Ethan Joyes, Luke Bloor, Syrus Lumley & Tryston Eveleigh. Also remembering him fondly are nephew Steve Hurd (Lyndia) and niece Sandee Wynn (Steve) along with many friends from across the community whose lives he touched deeply. He was predeceased by his wives Julienne Lumley (nee Lavergne) & Viola (Lumley) Reed (nee Desjardins), as well as granddaughter Zoey Lumley-Pfeil.
Friends describe Ted as interesting yet easygoing – smart but approachable – leaving behind memories full of laughter and kindness mixed with dedication toward helping others around him. Though losing someone like this hurts bad for all who knew him well-his jokes will still echo along family tables while stories stay alive forever within hearts close by after all these years gone by now.
Ted’s family want to thank Dr Raycraft along with everyone on Acute Care at North Shore Health Network in Blind River plus staff managing Light Haven Christian Home out in Bruce Mines – they were great during tough times.
Ted asked for no funeral service so cremation has already been done quietly respecting what he wanted most.
If you’re thinking about sending flowers please consider donating instead to Bruce Mines Lions Club or another charity close to your heart honoring Ted’s memory.
Head over to www. osullivanfuneralhome. com if you’d like to leave condolences for the family online anytime soon. Arrangements handled by O’Sullivan Funeral Home located at 215 St James St., Sault Ste Marie ON P6A 1P7 phone:705-759-8456
