Honourable Edward Chester Lumley
The Honourable Edward C. Lumley, P.C., C.M.,
The Honourable Edward C. Lumley passed away at home, surrounded by family, on April 16th, 2025. He leaves behind the love of his life Patricia, his wife of 63 years; his five children, thirteen grandchildren – Bob and wife Caroline (Jordan, Dani, Sean, Jacki & Nikki), Kelly and husband Tom Leger (Chelsie, Travis), Dawn and husband Roy Myllari (Taylor, Kristopher), Cheryl and husband Geoff Dempster (Kurtis, Ryan), Chris and wife Jennifer (Cooper, Paige), seven great-grandchildren, and his younger brother Harry.
Born in 1939 in Windsor, Ontario, Ed played football for A.K.O and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Windsor, where he returned as Chancellor 46 years later, retiring as Chancellor Emeritus.
Ed started his career as a teenager washing trucks for Coca-Cola and later became a partner in a Coca-Cola bottling business in Cornwall. It was there that he put down his roots, raised a family, and began a lifetime of service to his community and country. Ed was a passionate and fiercely proud Canadian who believed in the honour of public service.
At the age of 32, Ed was elected Mayor of Cornwall. He brought major infrastructure and economic development projects to the area and established a vision for the waterfront that will continue to serve the people of Cornwall for generations.
In 1974, Ed had the privilege of being elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Stormont-Dundas. He was appointed to the Federal Cabinet in 1980 as Minister of International Trade. He held five ministerial portfolios over the next 4 years. Amongst his most notable contributions, as Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, were the initiation of the Canada-US Free Trade discussions and the transformation of the Canadian automotive industry convincing Japanese automakers to build their cars in Canada.
In 1984, Ed’s career transitioned to the corporate world. He served as the Vice Chairman of BMO Capital Markets and served on the board of several prominent Canadian companies.
In 2014, Ed was awarded the Order of Canada for having served his community and his country. Until his passing, he served as Chairman of the Ron Joyce Foundation, supporting the social, economic, and emotional well-being of children and youth in Canada.
Yet, for all his public accolades and professional achievements, Ed’s greatest legacy lies in the family he built and loved with all his heart. He will forever be remembered as a husband, father, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and brother. He was a dedicated and loyal friend, a mentor and coach and an inspiring leader. He saw life from the perspective of a quarterback. He was always a few steps ahead and saw the big picture. He believed deeply in family, toughness, honour and obligation, and had the courage to do what he believed was right. Ed Lumley made a difference. He lived a life worth celebrating and will be dearly missed by colleagues, friends and a family who loved him unconditionally.
In keeping with Ed’s wishes and in recognition of his dedication, thoughtfulness, and deep concern for his family a brief public visitation will be held on Saturday April 26 , 2025 from 12 Noon until 4 p.m. at Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Home West Branch 20 Seventh Street West, Cornwall Ontario (613-932-8482). In accordance, funeral services will be held privately.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation (www.cornwallhospitalfoundation.ca), and/or the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) (www.cheo.on.ca).
Online messages of condolence may be made at www.dignitymemorial.com
The Honourable Edward C. Lumley passed away at home, surrounded by family, on April 16th, 2025. He leaves behind the love of his life Patricia, his wife of 63 years; his five children, thirteen grandchildren – Bob and wife Caroline (Jordan, Dani, Sean, Jacki & Nikki), Kelly and husband Tom Leger (Chelsie, Travis), Dawn and husband Roy Myllari (Taylor, Kristopher), Cheryl and husband Geoff Dempster (Kurtis, Ryan), Chris and wife Jennifer (Cooper, Paige), seven great-grandchildren, and his younger brother Harry.
Born in 1939 in Windsor, Ontario, Ed played football for A.K.O and earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Windsor, where he returned as Chancellor 46 years later, retiring as Chancellor Emeritus.
Ed started his career as a teenager washing trucks for Coca-Cola and later became a partner in a Coca-Cola bottling business in Cornwall. It was there that he put down his roots, raised a family, and began a lifetime of service to his community and country. Ed was a passionate and fiercely proud Canadian who believed in the honour of public service.
At the age of 32, Ed was elected Mayor of Cornwall. He brought major infrastructure and economic development projects to the area and established a vision for the waterfront that will continue to serve the people of Cornwall for generations.
In 1974, Ed had the privilege of being elected Member of Parliament for the riding of Stormont-Dundas. He was appointed to the Federal Cabinet in 1980 as Minister of International Trade. He held five ministerial portfolios over the next 4 years. Amongst his most notable contributions, as Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, were the initiation of the Canada-US Free Trade discussions and the transformation of the Canadian automotive industry convincing Japanese automakers to build their cars in Canada.
In 1984, Ed’s career transitioned to the corporate world. He served as the Vice Chairman of BMO Capital Markets and served on the board of several prominent Canadian companies.
In 2014, Ed was awarded the Order of Canada for having served his community and his country. Until his passing, he served as Chairman of the Ron Joyce Foundation, supporting the social, economic, and emotional well-being of children and youth in Canada.
Yet, for all his public accolades and professional achievements, Ed’s greatest legacy lies in the family he built and loved with all his heart. He will forever be remembered as a husband, father, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and brother. He was a dedicated and loyal friend, a mentor and coach and an inspiring leader. He saw life from the perspective of a quarterback. He was always a few steps ahead and saw the big picture. He believed deeply in family, toughness, honour and obligation, and had the courage to do what he believed was right. Ed Lumley made a difference. He lived a life worth celebrating and will be dearly missed by colleagues, friends and a family who loved him unconditionally.
In keeping with Ed’s wishes and in recognition of his dedication, thoughtfulness, and deep concern for his family a brief public visitation will be held on Saturday April 26 , 2025 from 12 Noon until 4 p.m. at Lahaie & Sullivan Cornwall Funeral Home West Branch 20 Seventh Street West, Cornwall Ontario (613-932-8482). In accordance, funeral services will be held privately.
If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation (www.cornwallhospitalfoundation.ca), and/or the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) (www.cheo.on.ca).
Online messages of condolence may be made at www.dignitymemorial.com