July 1919 - February 2009
From The Pampas to The Pacific Northwest
Ed was born in the farming community of Rivera, Buenos Aires, Argentina to Russian/German settlers Caroline and Peter Schneider. Seeking to improve his family’s future, Ed’s father moved the family to Sceptre, Saskatchewan in 1924 to join the rest of the Schneider clan. Integrating quickly into Canadian prairie farm life, the family thrived in this hardworking community, even in the midst of the great depression. With these values in hand, Ed entered business school in Vancouver at the start of World War ll and upon completion, fulfilled his commitment as he joined the Canadian Army in 1941. Stationed primarily in Esquimalt for the duration of the war, he was marshaled out in 1946 with the rank of sergeant.  Ed worked as a credit analyst for Dunn and Bradstreet until 1948 when he joined the Vancouver Police Department. For the next 31 years, Ed’s files crossed many departments, beat cop, motorcycle and traffic squads, and the hit and run unit. In 1972, Ed was promoted from corporal to detective, where he served in the liquor and morality squad (SVU as it is known today). Ed was very proud to serve Vancouver as a police officer, particularly as his job afforded him the ability to help people.  In 1979, Ed retired, but his friends and family knew his ability to help did not.
There were never enough hours in the day for all of Ed’s interests. Although established in Vancouver after the war, Ed loved to return to Saskatchewan every year to duck hunt with his brothers. While the duck hunting became a thing of the past, visiting family became a tradition, one that grew to include Ed’s young family. Ed also became involved in many municipal, provincial and federal elections in Burnaby, where he lived. He and Mildred (nee Beattie) married in 1959 and were followed by children, Mark, Tina and Margo.  He was a fitness buff who could be found running the Stanley Park seawall or hiking the Chief before it became popular. After retirement, he immersed himself in a new career of landscaping and topiary and indulged in his love of travel. Although he and his family traveled Canada and the western USA every summer, in 1980 Ed and Mid broadened their travel to Hawaii, Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, North Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. He cherished a trip to South America with Mid and daughter Tina to reconnect with family in Argentina. While in good health, he would love to visit daughter Margo living in B.C.’s interior to visit with grandchildren and relive his days in horse and farm life.  Ed and Mid also joined son Mark’s young family on a trip to Washington, D.C. and made sure he visited as many historic sites of the eastern USA as he could. One of their last trips was a spring cruise to Alaska.
Over the course of his life, Ed pursued an interest in photography and as a result his family and friends enjoy the thousands of pictures documenting his life, his loves and his experiences.

Ed was predeceased by parents, Caroline and Peter, brothers William, Alec, Fred and Albert, sisters Molly and Regina.
Ed is survived by his wife Mildred, his younger brother Alfred in Saskatchewan, his children Mark (Sandra), Tina (Randy) and Margo (David). He also leaves grandchildren Kenneth, Michael, Daniel, Georgia, Kyle, Amalia, Dixon and Mikaela.
Ed’s family sends their deepest appreciation and thanks to Dr. Joshi, the staff of Weatherby Pavilion, Peace Arch Hospital and the White Rock Hospice Society.
Donations to the BC Alzheimer’s Society or White Rock Hospice Society are gratefully preferred.
A celebration of Ed’s life will be held in early March. For more information please contact:
Phone: 604-221-6171
Email:  snider438+ers@gmail.com