It is with sadness that the family and friends of Cedric Abday announce his passing on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at Blue Water Rest Home, Zurich, Ontario, following a lengthy battle with Cancer and Parkinson’s Disease.
Cedric Charles Abday was born in Barrhead, Alberta, on November 24, 1955, to Steve and Christine Abday and grew up in Neerlandia, Alberta. He is survived by his brothers Sydney (Trudie), Robin (Barbara), and their children Cheryl, Colin, Steve, Laura, Jennifer, and Theresa, as well as his Uncle John Bouma in the Netherlands. He was predeceased by his parents and nephew, Robert.
Cedric graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Alberta (U of A) in 1984. He spent a number of years working at the Music Library at the U of A before rejoining the U of A student ranks to complete his Master of Music in Organ Performance degree in 1998. He also completed the Performer’s Certificate in Organ in 2013 at the King’s University College in Edmonton, Alberta.
Cedric held several Director of Music positions over the course of his career, most notably at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Ontario, and Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich, Ontario. He was involved with many choirs and most recently served as accompanist for the HuronSong Chorus and the Goderich Harbouraires Men’s Choir.
Cedric’s friends and family wish to express their appreciation for the excellent care he received at the Blue Water Rest Home, Zurich, Ontario, as well as for the support he received from the members of Knox Presbyterian Church, Goderich.
Cremation has taken place. Due to Covid restrictions a Private Service will be held. A public Celebration of Cedric’s life will be held and announced at a later date.
In memory of Cedric, please consider donations to Knox Presbyterian Church, Goderich, the Blue Water Rest Home, Zurich, or the charity of your choice.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Sebastian Meadows-Helmer
My sincere condolences to family and friends. Cedric was a real gem, with a beautiful voice, and amazing organ/ piano talents, a warm generous heart. I remember fondly singing with him in Inshallah and Cantualis, and playing violin with him at St. John’s. His voice will be immortalized for me in his solos on the Inshallah #2 CD.
Bonnie Dunn
It is with great sadness that we will be saying good-bye to Cedric to-day. He joined us
only 6 years ago, but in those few years he gave us so much! We will remember the wonderful musical memories he created, singing, playing the organ, and playing the piano. His enthusiasm for
life was contagious, and he shared his love of music with all. Cedric had other talents as well –
he loved to cook, as those who shared one of the many meals he prepared in the kitchen at Knox
will attest.
Thank you, Cedric, for the wonderful example you set for us! We will miss you, and share your memory always.
Bonnie Dunn
Knox Worship Committee
Kerri Eckert
Cedric would often come to the Ymca Goderich he would love to swim and see how many Lengths of the pool he could achieve. My condolences to the family and his friends I know Cedric will be sadly missed. Yours truly Ymca LifeGuard
Heather Wier
My husband Mark and I were saddened to lean of Cedric’s death. We are parishioners at St. George’s, Edmonton, where he served as organist and choir director. Our entire congregation benefits from his skill as an organist and choir director. We also enjoyed his beautiful baritone voice. Not least, we were all touched by his faith.
marina masson
To Cedric’s family and friends, please accept our condolences on the passing of this fine man.
He taught me and my sister Janine Pidruchney piano lessons when we were high school students. I think he took over from Sandra Hunt in the Fine Arts Building at the U of A. We just adored him – so nice and kind and such a fun way of chatting and swaying and playing piano!
Later we met up again when he worked at St. George’s Anglican Church here in Edmonton, where he was also highly thought of as the choir director and organist.
We were saddened to learn that he had Parkinson’s and cancer. I am sure he bore it with grace. Glad to know he is with God and enjoying more beautiful music On High!
Rob & Chris Evans
It has been our privilege and pleasure for the past 6 1/2 years to have had Cedric as our friend. We have savoured his talents. He brought life back to our worship services with his sensitive and spirited organ and piano playing at Knox Presbyterian Church, Goderich. His efforts in the kitchen proved to us that when he turned his talents to something other than music he shone. We will miss him, and extend our sincere sympathies to Robin and Sydney and their families.
Gareth & Jayne John
We enjoyed the privilege of meeting Cedric about 5 years ago when staying with our friends Rob and Chris Evans at Goderich. During that short time we were able to appreciate and admire his incredible talent as an organist.
Having been able to spend time with him on a number of occasions at Church and with friends we were also able to appreciate what a kind, friendly gentle man he was.
We know that he will be greatly missed by his friends and family.
Alvin Lowrey
To the family of Cedric Abday,
I remember Cedric very well. I can see him in my mind’s eye greeting me upon entering the University of Alberta music library back in the 1980s. Like his mentor, James Whittle, Cedric always greeted music library patrons cheerfully by name and asked, “How may I help you, today?” No matter how busy he or Mr Whittle were at whatever library task they were engaged in, they always stopped what they were doing to help you out. And, they nearly always had an answer or directed me to the proper resource that I needed.
Thanks for placing his obituary in the Edmonton Journal as it brought back fond memories, and it was good to be updated on his post-U of A career. Yet, I was,indeed, saddened to learn of his bout with cancer and Parkinson’s disease. May he rest in peace, and blessings to his family.
Alvin Lowrey, retired adjunct instructor of trumpet, U of A
Patricia Elzinga
Sydney and Robin and families,
So sorry for your loss. Praying for you and asking God to surround you with His perfect peace during this difficult time. May you find comfort in your memories. I worked for your Mother when Robin was very young. Your Mother lived with my Mom (Jennie Nanninga) when she lived in Edmonton for a few years. Cedric will be rejoicing and playing his wonderful music with all the saints in heaven.
With sympathy, Peter and Pat
Dr Brian Harris
I was very sorry to read of Cedric’s passing. It was a pleasure to have him in my undergraduate music history courses at the University of Alberta, and later, as an employee in the Music Library, he provided unfailingly cheerful, helpful, and courtesy to students and faculty alike. My sincerest condolences to his family on their loss.
Garry & Cathy Visscher
Dear Family, Our sincere condolences on the passing of Cedric. We have fond memories of visiting his parents home when we were all children. Cathy’s mother and Cedric’s mother were first cousins and were named after their grandmother, Trijntje Bouma. Regrettably we didn’t stay in touch but today you are in our thoughts and prayers. Wishing all of you much strength as you mourn Cedric’s passing. Sincerely, Cathy Visscher
Simon and Eva Elgersma
Sincere condolences Sydney, Robin, and families. We have fond memories of growing up with Cedric in Neerlandia. May you receive comfort from our Lord Jesus.
Jacquie Gross
I was privileged to be one of Cedric’s first piano teachers when he was a teenager and lived in the community of Neerlandia near Barrhead. He was a gifted musician who was so devoted to his music. If he couldn’t find a ride into town for his lesson, his mother would hire a taxi to come out to Neerlandia approx 23 kilometers away, to take him to my home in Barrhead.He always remembered to invite me to his various graduation performances in Edmonton and kept me informed of his whereabouts up until this last station in life. Our deepest condolences to his family from my husband Alvin and myself.
Jimmy Gray
Cedric and I first met when he was a customer at RadioShack at UofA’s Hub Mall. Then later, I had the immeasurable pleasure of being part of St George’s Anglican Church Edmonton choir directed for a time by non other than Mr. Cedric Abday. He was a good friend. As the psalmist proclaimed, “All your works praises you, O Lord, and your faithful servants bless you.” Cedric was indeed faithful and praise shone forth from him.
Pastor Ingrid Doerschel Trinity Lutheran Church
On behalf of the members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edmonton I would like to express my deepest condolences to the passing of Cedric. He was one of the beloved organists at Trinity Lutheran Church and will be remembered. May God’s peace be with him and with those who loved him.
Pastor Ingrid Doerschel
Mark Tyrrell
Sad to hear….I truly enjoyed Cedric’s stay with us at St. John’s…
Carmen Loconte (Wiart)
My deepest condolences to all of Cedric’s family and friends. There isn’t a University of Alberta music student out there that didn’t benefit from Cedric’s brilliant musical mind and his incredible memory for where things were in the music stacks. I loved working with him and will miss him dearly. Heaven has welcomed a special angel – probably an organist for the heavenly choir. I will listen to Elisabeth Schwarzkopf’s version of “Four Last Songs” in memory of my dear friend. Rest in peace Cedric.
Jim Mulhern
Our condolence to Cedric’s family.
Linda Bluhm
Cedric was the pianist for Inshallah at WLU when I was a member of that choir. He was such a gifted musician with an outstanding voice. Condolences to the family.
Blue Water Rest Home
Sending condolences on behalf of the Residents, Staff and Board at Blue Water Rest Home. You are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Alf HANNENBERG
I enjoyed visiting with Cedric in the choir lofted St John’s while I was ushering. Cedric enjoyed sharing his music, he was always ready to teach.
I have many requests play lists on cd that he generously made for us.
A great musician, a resource of knowledge a friend. Please know the world has lost a talent with a true musicians heart.
Rest peacefully friend , play on in heaven.
Job well done.
Christine Helgerman
Sending my sympathy to Cedric’s family. I knew Cedric when he was the organist at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waterloo. I worked in the daycare upstairs and Cedric would invite the children into the sanctuary for them to hear him play the organ. Thinking of all of you
Wayne and Susan Hawthorn
Will miss our early Sunday morning practices downstairs at knox. Always a cheerful hello and smile……and do talented. Lots of good memories, we miss you so much.
Anne McIsaac
The Knox family and the community at large will greatly miss Cedric’s amazing talent on the organ and piano, his beautiful voice and that infectious little smile. I once requested the hymn I Walk in the Garden Alone in memory of my mother Irene Harnack and Cedric surprised me by doing it as a solo at the grand piano. It was a very special performance in church I will never forget. We were blessed for the time we had him with us. Rest easy in God’s hands Cedric, enjoy the heavenly chorus.
Stephanie Hartwick
I am so sorry to hear of Cedric’s passing. He was a gentle soul with a remarkable musical talent. He will be missed greatly. Sending condolences to his family.
Leslie Layman
Cedric, it was an honour to play and sing with your wonderful piano and organ accompaniments bringing Glory to God and also at the “Fermata” gatherings.
Well done, good & faithful servant…
Now you are bringing Glory to God in His very Presence!
Clarence and Peggy Denomme
It was sheer joy to hear Cedric’s mastery of the organ at Knox. He lifted our hearts and raised our spirits. Thank you for sharing your talents with the community Cedric. You were one of a kind. Our sincere sympathy to Cedric’s family and friends.
David and Diane Snyder
Cedric has left a great musical void in Goderich and in the hearts of his Brothers and Sisters in Christ at Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich. He brought us great music, he enriched our personal faith and set a great example for all aspiring musicians to follow. Rest now Cedric until that call !