Charles Edward "Ted" Avent

Born ~ October 6, 1940

Date of Passing ~ August 19, 2025

Ted passed peacefully at home with family by his side on August 19, 2025, at the age of 84 after a stoic decline with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Ted was born in Winnipeg on October 6, 1940, moving with his mom and sisters to Gimli, Manitoba at the age of 6.  It was in Gimli where he developed his love of animals and nature - caring for dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and watching the evolution of tadpole to frog each spring. He was always busy as the “man of the house”, running paper routes, chopping wood and carrying water. He once made a kayak with a friend from salvaged materials, and was “rescued” by an older sister concerned with how far they’d drifted from shore. 

Second youngest of 7 kids, and the only boy, Ted joked that when he went to join the Navy he first tried to enlist in the Wrens after being subjected to wearing hand-me-downs from older sisters all his life. That being said, Ted found his way and proudly served in the Royal Canadian Navy for five years, stationed in Esquimalt, BC and sailing aboard the HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Jonquiere to ports throughout the Pacific, including Hong Kong, Bangkok, Japan, and Sri Lanka between 1958 and 1963.

After his naval service, Ted lived briefly in Vancouver, working for Coca-Cola before returning to Winnipeg where he met the love of his life, Marge, through his best friend Gary, and Marge's sister Eve. After a six year courtship, they married in 1969, and welcomed daughter Jackie in 1979. They spent many fun evenings and weekends at the Canoe Club, and loved to travel, visiting Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Hawaii and many road trips across Canada and the US throughout their 56 wonderful years together.

Ted completed his high school diploma at United College and trained for a successful 27-year career with National Cash Register (NCR), where his jovial personality and problem-solving skills made him beloved by colleagues and clients alike. After an early retirement, he continued working as a warehouse manager with PolyWest and then Seaco Marine for another decade.

Ted and Marge had a hospitable and generous home at “303” where visitors were always welcome, hosting memorable family dinners, reunions and holiday feasts. Known for taking meticulous care of his home and yard, Ted would spend the day mowing, sweeping and watering the garden - though was as often seen standing in the driveway chatting with neighbors and friends passing by. As a dyke captain during the 1997 Flood of the Century, and other years where flooding was predicted, he spent countless hours and sleepless nights ensuring the protection of his and others’ homes. 

His love of working outdoors and with others extended equally to the farm near Portage La Prairie where many weekends were spent mowing the grass, helping Marge and Jackie tend the garden and sharing the labour of making jam, freezing produce and digging onions, carrots and potatoes to store for the winter. Ted always appreciated the many family farm hands and friendly weekend laborers who came to share the work, but who also left with full bellies from a hearty meal, full trunks of fresh veggies and full hearts from the joy of working hard together outdoors.

An environmentalist before it was trendy, Ted was deeply committed to walking his talk and giving back to the community. He became a Master Gardener and volunteered extensively with Gardens Manitoba, participating in unique projects like restoring the thatched roof at Assiniboine Park's English Gardens using phragmites grass he helped harvest from Delta Marsh. As a Master Composter through Green Action Centre, he shared his love of gardening and environmental stewardship with others. He also helped make Winnipeg's annual Seedy Saturday, and various fundraising plant sales a success.

Ted's generosity extended to Canadian Blood Services, where he made over 200 blood and plasma donations throughout his lifetime. He was a devoted Winnipeg Blue Bombers season ticket holder for more than 60 years, a passion that earned him and Marge a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Churchill with the Grey Cup. 

Ted was a gracious host who loved to entertain, but his enthusiasm on the dance floor at socials and weddings always turned heads and made him the life of the party. 

Ted was predeceased by his mother Elsie, father Jack “Grumpy”, and step-mother Peggy, his parents-in-law Alex and Jennie, sisters Cathy and Eloise, sister-in-law Doris, brothers-in-law Bob, Ken and Jim, nephews Alex and Roy, and lifelong friend Gary. He is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife Marge, daughter Jackie (Tim), grandchildren Freddy and Marley, sisters Betty, Mary, Leslie, and Janet (Bent), sisters-in-law Eve, Joan (Harold) and Phyllis, and many cherished nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kevin Coates for decades of compassionate care, and all the helpers and people who supported Ted, Marge and Jackie through these last difficult years.

A celebration of Ted's life will be held on Sunday, October 12th at 2:30 pm at FortWhyte Alive Buffalo Crossing, 2505 McGillivray Boulevard, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Avent Family Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation - https://www.mycharitytools.com/gift/wpgfdn/donate?fund=1185.

Ted's legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched with his warmth, generosity, and zest for life. You can honour his memory by picking up a piece of litter on a walk, recycling and composting, helping a neighbor, or simply taking time to chat with someone who could use a friendly conversation—the everyday acts of kindness that made Ted who he was.

A link to the livestream of Ted’s Celebration of Life is available here - https://youtube.com/live/n0q9Xy-l4L8?feature=share