John Trevor Caithness

It is with great sadness and tremendous sorrow that the family of Trevor Caithness announces his passing on January 4th.  He was enormously loved by his wife Jackie Eddy Caithness; children Scot (Leslie), Sheri, Shawn; step-children Lynn Eddy, John (Janice) Eddy, Louise Eddy Millard (Mike), Ann Margaret Eddy Williams (Mark); and 8 grandchildren. His guidance and wisdom will be missed by the amazing blended family that he and Jackie created which has brought us such great joy and comfort over the last 30 years. Most people are familiar with the phrase “They threw away the mold”, well, this speaks volumes to this wonderful, much loved man.  Hopefully we will all meet again some day on Cloud 9.

Trevor, was born in Carberry, Manitoba in 1931 and later moved to Edmonton. He was a veteran of the RCAF, a realtor, an appraiser, real estate developer, rancher, certified ski instructor, avid outdoorsman, and a benefactor who was involved in many charitable pursuits. He was also a “Friend” of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame and long-time member of The Rt. Hon. Sir Winston S. Churchill Society.

Trevor is predeceased by his first wife, Helen; brother Robert; and sisters Norma and Barbara.

A celebration of Trevor’s life will be scheduled once it is safe to do so.

Eulogy

John Trevor (Trev) Caithness was born July 6^th, 1931 in Carberry, Manitoba.  He went to school and helped his dad with building projects before joining the RCAF and became a navigator. His brother Bob joined soon after.  On October 9^th, 1954 he married Helen Wolfe in Brandon, Manitoba and they moved shortly after to Edmonton where Trev and Bob were stationed at the Nanaimo Base.  He truly enjoyed all the travel and the meaningful post war peacekeeping work he did all over central Europe.  Trevor and Helen had three children – Scot (1955), Sheri (1957) and Shawn (1959).

Trev and his Dad, Cliff, built their first house in the Laurier Heights area of Edmonton in 1956.  At the end of 1958, Trev left the Air Force and became a realtor with Imperial Real Estate. His first 2 listings were advertised January 9^th, 1959 for $13,800 and $15,500.  Over the years, Trevor’s reputation blossomed and he made sure he was adept in the profession by studying and earning his FRI (Fellow of the Real Estate Institute) and AACI (Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute) designations.  He also became very involved in organized real estate and eventually became a Director and President of the Edmonton Real Estate Board, Director and President of the Alberta Real Estate Association, and a Director of the Canadian Real Estate Association. Trev did many “deals” with his brother, Bob who was also a realtor and mortgage broker.  His success and dedication to the industry was so impressive that eventually Helen and their children all became involved in some facet of real estate.  His dedication to community was also very strong and he was involved in a number of charitable pursuits including President of the Edmonton Real Estate Board Charitable Foundation. He was also a “Friend” of Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame and long-time member of The Rt. Hon. Sir Winston S. Churchill Society.

In the 60’s Trev developed a passion for skiing, which he instilled in his whole family from an early age. Trev learned the slopes well and became a Level 3 Canadian Ski Instructors Alliance Instructor. He became a director of the Snow Valley Ski Club in Edmonton and later moved on to regularly skiing Alberta’s resorts in Banff and Jasper.  They bought a ski in/out condo at Big White ski resort subsequently and many of their friends and families did the same. As a result, so many years of skiing great snow and ringing in New Year’s ensued. He eventually developed what is still to this day, the largest luxury condominium project on the mountain.  He also greatly enjoyed deep powder skiing and exposed Scot and Shawn to the sport.  He became friends with Mike Wiegele and was instrumental in the development of Canadian Mountain Holiday’s world-renowned deep powder destination resort in Blue River, B.C.

In 1970, Trev moved his family to a ranch west of Edmonton and began an exotic cattle-breeding operation.  His children have many fond memories of 4-H competitions, birthing cattle in the wee hours of the morning and many festive parties and family gatherings.

So many happy memories at the ranch, they are too many to mention.  Sadly, while at the ranch Helen passed away from cancer at the young age of 57.  We are all so fortunate that Trevor then met and married Jackie Louise Eddy on June 4^th , 1991.  For the next almost 30 years, Trevor would embrace his family and extended family creating a wonderfully cohesive family unit.  This was not without Jackie’s influence but Trev was such an honorable, generous and kind man that he treated all of his children equally.  He enjoyed interacting and guiding his resulting grandchildren so much that he and Jackie created a yearly “Family Day” celebration that was anticipated by all. Trevor just missed the birth of his first great grandson (due February 22) but was aware and very happy about it.

In the 70’s Trevor had also developed a passion for golf and joined the Mayfair Club in Edmonton.  This is where he had met the second love of his life, Jackie.  They loved the game so much that after 4 years of winter vacations at Big White, they gave up skiing and opted for winter golf in Pauma Valley, California, a beautiful gated resort developed on John Wayne’s (Trev’s favorite western actor) original ranch.  They made many treasured and close friends there and bought a beautiful property that they enjoyed in the winters for 25 years.  Trev was proud of his golf accomplishments including 7 “Holes in One”, and the record lowest one day score on the par 3’s at the Mayfair Club with a Hole-in-One and 3 Birdies!

Trevor and Jackie sold the Ranch and built a new home on Wellington Crescent in 2006, on the property where our extended family grew up.  They lived there together and built a whole new set of wonderful memories for all of us to keep in our hearts.  They both loved to play Bridge and he and Jackie were often champion partners in Pauma Valley just as they were in the Game of Life.

Trevor wasn’t one to complain about any ailments or pain, but over the last few years, he overcame cancer, a stroke, heart attack, and multiple infections.  He always maintained a positive attitude but finally this year his body gave out on him.

Trevor’s dedication, strength, honour and integrity will never be forgotten, nor will his infectious smile and the twinkle in his eyes.