Ted McInnis, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, formerly of Bonnyville, AB, passed away on Thursday, March 31, 2022, at his home, at the age of 86 years.

Ted was born in Bonneyville, AB, on December 4, 1935, the second eldest of seven children to Ernest and Muriel McInnis. The family lived in many locations throughout BC and Alberta, including Enderby BC and Sunset House, AB.

As a young man, Ted worked in Cold Lake, AB. This is where he met his future wife, Trudy Ouellette. They were married in Grande Prairie in 1957. It was there, that their three children, Diane, Don, and Kelly were born.

It was during his early years living and raising his family in Grande Prairie that Ted decided to pursue a career in carpentry, obtaining his Journeyman Carpenter certificate in November of 1961.

In 1964, Ted moved his family to Dawson Creek, B.C. where he started a company, McInnis Carpentry. He then moved onto working for other Construction companies, specializing in large projects, such as the Dawson Creek Hospital and the Provincial Building, working as Project Superintendent. Ted continued in this capacity when he chose to work with his brothers Dan and Calvin on projects all over the Peace River area, including the Beaverlodge Hospital and the former Crystal Garden. In later years, Ted’s son, Don, joined the family company and worked with his dad and uncle Calvin on a few projects, including the Fairview College. Ted was an ingenuitive man. He loved a challenge and could build anything from nothing, whether it was related to carpentry, or of mechanical or electrical nature.

In 1989, Ted met an old friend, Elsie Thomas, at a family event. He convinced Elsie to move to Grande Prairie and the rest, they say is history. Ted met his soulmate. They loved the outdoors and spent many hours camping, fishing, quadding, gathering firewood, picking berries, and cycling around the area.

After one near disastrous camping trip, his son Don and Ted purchased a piece of property south of Grande Prairie. Their families spent numerous hours at ‘the pond’, swimming, quadding, fishing, etc.

In his later years, he became the go to person in the family, whether it was fixing a car, a vacuum, or simply sharpening scissors. He loved to tinker and spent endless hours fixing and creating all kinds of things. One year, Ted and Elsie handmade wooden jewelry boxes for all of the granddaughters, Ted making the boxes with all the little drawers and Elsie lining each one with velvet. Ted will be dearly missed by his children, Diane, Don, Kelly, Everett, Elaine (Gary), and Norine (Jack); grandchildren: Megan (Brett), Michelle (T.J.), Shaun (Roxanne), Melissa, Gary Jr (Rachel), Adam (Dana), Carlyn (Kelly), Andrea, Teanna and Chelsea; great-grandchildren: Ashton, Bentley, Avery, Tayo, Nico, Everley, Kanen, Addison, Forrest and his newest great granddaughter – Caroline, due soon; brothers Al and Calvin; sister Jean; brothers in-law Roy and Ken (Sherry); sisters in-law: Linda and Nora; as well as other family members and friends. He was predeceased by his partner/wife Elsie Thomas; parents Muriel and Ernest; brothers: Dan, Richard, and Ben; brothers in-law: Eric, Art, Sandy, Gordon, and Orville; as well as sisters in-law: Bernice, Leona, Judi, Lynn, and Diane.

A joint Celebration of Life for Ted McInnis and Elsie Thomas will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 3:00pm, at The Pond south of Grande Prairie. Luncheon to follow. Please bring a lawn chair.