Obituary of Edward Allan Currie

Currie, Edward Allan “Ted” December 7, 1939 – May 20, 2025 With deep love and gratitude for a life well-lived, we announce the peaceful passing of Ted Currie on May 20, 2025, at Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital, surrounded throughout the day by his cherished family. He was 85. Born in Sudbury, Ontario, and raised in Malton by his devoted parents Howard and Phyllis Currie, Ted was the beloved brother of Doug and Allan Currie and is predeceased by his loving sister Eleanor Sutherland. He was loved by brothers and sisters in law Mary-Lou Currie, Sharon Currie, and Harold Sutherland (pre-deceased), and by his many nephews who brought joy and laughter to his life. Ted’s life was defined by his unwavering passion for education. A proud graduate of both Queen’s University and Michigan State University, he went on to become a lifelong and deeply respected educator. As a principal with the Toronto Board of Education, he led several schools with vision and heart, including Ossington Old Orchard, Shirley Street, Balmy Beach, and the Toronto Island Science School. Ted was admired for his innovation, compassion, and the joyful, inclusive school communities he built. Staff and students alike fondly remember his love for learning, the vibrant sports leagues he created, and the spirit of fun that permeated every school hallway he walked. Together with his beloved wife and fellow educator Betsy Ramsay-Currie, Ted continued to share his knowledge and love of teaching internationally, taking a foreign teaching assignment in Singapore. There, Ted and Betsy embraced new cultures, made lifelong friends, and traveled the world – while mentoring young international students like Takuya Takizume from Japan with whom he remained close. Ted was a man of remarkable talent and boundless energy. A gifted athlete, he excelled at hockey and continued to play hockey into his late 70s, notably with the Toronto Island “Islanders” team and the Orillia Old Timers men’s league. He passed his love for the game down to his grandchildren, proud to see them share in his passion. Ted loved to golf and was a regular on area golf courses such as Treehaven (with the famous Pizza Group) and Lake Saint George, where no lost ball, pond or ravine was safe to his ball retrieval efforts. A skilled carpenter, Ted built everything from heirloom furniture, toy boxes and sheds, to the treasured family beach house on Lake St. George, where countless summer memories were made. The annual Camp Currie event at the lake became a summer tradition full of games, swimming, and important life lessons for dozens of children across the family, always proudly attended by his grandchildren. Upon retirement from building, Ted generously donated his extensive collection of woodworking tools to the City of Orillia, where they are now maintained at Ted’s Workshop located at the Orillia Fairgrounds for members of the public to share and create their own treasures with. Ted’s kindness was matched by his wonderful sense of humor. He was known among friends and colleagues as a legendary practical joker—whether convincing fellow teachers he could grow goldfish bigger by exercising them, launching water balloons from the Couchiching cottage aimed skillfully at the Island Princess cruise ship, or donning his infamous gorilla suit, Ted could always be counted on to bring joy and laughter. He was also a talented photographer, capturing decades of treasured family moments with care and creativity. Ted will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Betsy, his daughter Michelle (Currie) Harbridge and husband Kelly, stepdaughter Shaen Ramsay and husband Steve, and stepson David Ramsay and Josie. He was a proud and devoted Papa to Ben, Jaxon, Matthew, Kylie, Noah, Isabella, and Cooper, each of whom brought him immense pride and happiness. Ted’s legacy of love, learning, laughter, and generosity will continue to live on in the lives he touched and the memories he created with so many. A memorial to celebrate the life of Ted will be held on Sunday June 1 at Hawk Ridge Golf Club in Orillia (1 to 4 pm) with food and refreshments being served. In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations in Ted's memory to Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital to help their wonderful and caring staff, or the Orillia Lighthouse, in support of families in need.