Edward (Ted) Cheskey

We miss you and you are still in our minds.

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Christina we are thinking of you and hope we can see oneanother soon. Welcome to Luleå when ever you want.

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Losing Ted is such a sad surprise. I have known Ted, Bakisse and his children since he was my 390s advisor at the University of Waterloo in about 1995/96. The last time I saw him was too long ago: at a conference in Ottawa the week before everything locked down for Covid. There, we had a brief conversation during which he told me all about his growing family. I have so many memories that are coming back to me today. Memories of brunch at his house while working on my 90s project. Sitelle and Camille were still very little and very busy! We once went out birding together when I worked alongside our friend, Lyle, for the Canadian Wildlife Service looking for Rose Breasted Grosbeak and Wood Thrush nests. It was the first summer the program ran, and we really did not know much about finding them. Ted came out to help us one day and he gave us the incentive of a Tim Horton's donut for the first among us to find a nest. I found it (for a honey dip donut, thank-you!), a beautiful Wood Thrush nest! We shared other adventures after that - early morning bird counts, during which I struggled to stay away in his back seat while he drove us around, visits to Wriggley Corners with my uni ecology classes during which he banded chickadees, and sitting on the BPBO board together at its inception. I was flattered he invited me to join the inaugural board. Ted had an infectious laugh and zest for life. My deepest condolences to his family and the BPBO crew.

Ted was an amazing mentor and friend. He had such a great laugh and terrible terrible jokes. I had a year long highschool coop with Ted. I knew birds existed but then they EXISTED. We did Christmas bird counts, chicakdee banding, cross country skiing without poles. He also had no sense of smell. There was a vivid incident regarding a smell, a drawer, and nest of mice. That he couldn't smell. But I could. 😄 I know in my heart that I would not be the person I am today without Ted's friendship. He will be dearly missed.

Golly Ted, we didn't spend much time together though we shared many of our decades nearby. I am truly saddened by your passing. You were a light for me. Go well. Best of wishes for your family. Rinchen Boardman

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Sitelle. My heart aches for the sadness and loss you are feeling. My warmest deepest condolences to you and all your family. Remember that you are important too. Take care of you. Big Hug xo

May my support warm your heart

My sincere condolences to all of the family. I was saddened to hear that TEd had died. He had so much life in him and reading about all the work he has done to make our world a better place was heart warming. My memory of him was his beautiful smile and that twinkle in his eyes. Rest in peace Ted.

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I had the pleasure and honour to cover Ted’s leave at Wrigley Corners Outdoor Ed Centre as he went to work with Birds Canada in the late 90s. I had big, big shoes to fill but he was so kind and gracious as he helped me to prepare before leaving. What an incredible legacy of environmental education he left there - one that students in Waterloo region still benefit from today. How fitting, that as I write this while sitting on my deck, I’m surrounded by the calls of chickadees and have just watched a red-bellied woodpecker visit my feeder. I’m almost certain that the first time I ever saw a red-bellied was with Ted when he was training me at Dickson Wilderness Area. I’ll remember him fondly.

My memories of Ted are from long ago, and they certainly made an impact on me. In the early 1980s he stayed at his family cottage and influenced the direction of the interpretive / education programs at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. He was instrumental in having the Dyer's Bay / Cabot Head waters designated as an Important Bird Area due to the migration corridor used by Red-necked Grebes. This was followed by the formation of the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory. And sometime during a winter I recall travelling in the back seat of his car to a Christmas Bird Count at Cyprus Lake Provincial Park. He and co-pilot Mark had their heads out the windows on each side of the car watching for ditches in white-out conditions. Yes, we made it safely. Our paths crossed numerous times after that and I remember how proudly he spoke of his children. Treasure your memories for they will be plentiful and rich. Ted worked hard to ensure his legacy was leaving a positive footprint on the world. He succeeded. Thank you for sharing him with his many friends, co-workers and fellow volunteers. Rest in peace, Ted.

I met Ted for the very first time on his wedding day. He was marrying my cousin Cristina. Not only as his wife, but as his companion, as his other half, the person that life brought to him during an ordinary train journey. What a surprise. I knew Ted was a magnificent person, because only this kind of person could conquer the heart and mind of Cristina. I know my cousin; we grew up together. I have known her since our first days! After, we met a few times in Brazil, Italy, and Spain, and I can confirm that I know more about birds now than before. I pay more attention to their messages, and I try to protect every bird from every domestic cat! We played guitar together, and it was wonderful. It was the honest and pure joy of playing and singing for pleasure, and simply enjoying it. I would like to embrace all his family, in particular my cousin Cristina. I am so sorry for your loss. I will direct my prayers to you, that you may find peace and acceptance, and to him, that he may find a new world full of new adventures. Goodbye Ted.

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Je suis vraiment triste d’apprendre le décès de Ted et je souhaite offrir mes plus sincères condoléances à sa famille, à ses proches et à toutes celles et ceux qui ont eu la chance de connaître et côtoyer Ted. Il aura été un grand allié de la Ville de Gatineau. Par sa démarche citoyenne, sa détermination et son amour profond pour la cause des oiseaux, il nous a amenés à poser un geste fort important en mai dernier : faire de Gatineau une ville officiellement amie des oiseaux. Je tiens à saluer son travail acharné et son engagement profond, qui ont laissé une empreinte bien réelle dans notre communauté. Son amour pour la protection des oiseaux nous a tous et toutes touchés et contribuera à faire de Gatineau un milieu de vie où la biodiversité est valorisée, protégée et mise en action au bénéfice de toute la communauté. Maude Marquis-Bissonnette Mairesse de Gatineau

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I first met Ted when we worked together on the Ottawa Bird Strategy. His sensible and collaborative approach gave a relatively inexperienced birder like me the confidence and support to contribute to this strategy. When Ottawa was faced with the challenges of become a Bird-Friendly City, he provided us with inspiration and support. I will always remember his "Birding from the Balcony" posts. Ted, you will be remembered in our hearts. I can assure you that the birds are chipping loudly for all you have done for them.

May my support warm your heart

I met Ted more than 20 years ago. We discussed how BPBO could support us in our migratory bird conservation efforts. Ted loved Nicaragua, my country, its birds, and its music. He supported bird monitoring at two MoSI stations on Ometepe; several young biologists volunteered at the BPBO monitoring station; and on two occasions, BPBO members visited us in Nicaragua, and we spent 10 days birding in the country. Ted loved Kathia Cardenal’s music, and on one of those trips, we organized a private concert for him and the group with her. !He was so happy! Recently, he invited us to the BPBO annual meeting so we could present what we’re doing now, and he introduced us. You left us too soon. We love you, Ted; we’ll miss you, and we’ll continue working for the birds that brought us together. Thank you for all the love you showed us and our land. Thank you also to Cristina—stay strong.

So saddened to just learn of Ted’s passing. We met when he was demonstrating banding at Deschenes rapids. My son Carlos was around twelve and was fascinated with birds. Who better to talk to than someone else just as interested in birds as he was. Carlos had read the publication, ”The State of Canada's Birds” and asked Ted if he knew about it. Well Ted was, to say the least, flabbergasted since he was a core contributor to that report. It was the start of all wonderful mentoring relationship for Carlos. Ted chose Carlos as one of two young birders to speak at a Bird Life International conference being held in Ottawa. We created a presentation and practiced and practiced and practiced. It went perfectly. Ted also nominated Carlos for the Charles Labatiuk Volunteer Award (now called the Charles Labatiuk Youth for Nature Award). And not that long ago we also helped Ted and Nature Canada with a study on outdoor cats in Gatineau. Ted’s support and encouragement of a young birder meant a lot. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you. Ted, you left an incredible legacy. You will be missed. Gillian Shields and Carlos Barbery

Deeply saddened to hear of Ted's passing; we will all miss his infectious enthusiasm and deep passion for the natural world! He leaves a profound legacy in bird conservation.

May my support warm your heart

Je souhaite offrir mes plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux proches de Ted. La passion de Ted pour la conservation des oiseaux était contagieuse et inspirante. Ted laisse un héritage exceptionel pour la conservation.

I send my condolences to Ted's family and friends. I was shocked and saddened to learn of Ted's passing. He was a strong voice and support for bird conservation in Canada and elsewhere. We will miss you Ted.

I was so sorry to hear of Ted's passing. He has done so much to support bird conservation in Canada, from gathering data for the Ontario breeding bird atlases to advocating for Important Bird Areas to promoting conservation work in Latin America. My deepest sympathies to his family. He will be greatly missed. Charles Francis, CWS.

I first met Ted in 2021 as a Master's co-op student while studying at Trent University. I will never forget the weekend of field work we had together monitoring over 40,000 swallows at Dunnville Marsh! Early mornings and late nights, I knew little about birds at the time and Ted taught me a variety of different bird calls to identify swallows and showed me how amazing and important birds and their habitats are. He brought his telescope on that trip and showed me Mars for the very first time in my life. He was such a kind and passionate teacher. I remember him driving me home after our field work and laughing together about how we both knew and enjoyed classic rock music, regardless of our generational age difference. On that road trip, Ted also taught me about Red Cardinal Flowers and their importance for hummingbirds. I have so many memories of Ted, I don't know where to start. This is so hard to write and doesn't feel real. The tears won't stop and I wish I could hug him one more time and hear his laugh again. His smile was contagious, as was his love for nature, birds and sharing his knowledge. I don't know how I will be able to walk past his office. Ted is the reason I am a bird-nerd, advocate and is how I have found myself now working at Nature Canada. I will forever be grateful for how he has changed my life and the teachings he has shared with me and so many others. I will always remember Ted on every World Migratory Bird Day and bird walk. We miss you Ted. The birds are so grateful for you.

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Wow another great guy and advocate of nature is now at rest. He was an amazing person, friend, mentor and teacher. Rest in Peace buddy!

Dear Cris and family, I was shattered to hear of Ted’s sudden death. Every time I hear a bird and try to identify it, I think of Ted - a walking ornithological encyclopedia with a kind heart and great sense of humour. I will never forget this beautiful man and will channel my happy Ted birding memories whenever I hear birdsong. xo

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Ted was a dear friend of my father Jean-François and step-mom Carla. He was always so nice to me and my brother when we were younger. He would come over on weekends to talk birds & politic with MJ and play music until very late with my dad. I know he held such a special place in my parent’s heart. His absence leaves an enormous hole. Seeing all these messages makes me realize how he touched so many people’s lives including my family’s. Your laugh and kindness is and will be missed ! Gone way too soon xox

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My sincerest condolences and may the wonderful work that Ted did with the birds be a lasting memory.

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Dear Christina, My deepest condolences to you and Ted's family. My prayers are with you and if you need someone to talk too, I'm always here for you.

I am so sorry to hear of Ted's passing - my deepest condolences to his family. Over the years I worked with Ted on many projects ranging from conservation work at Tommy Thompson Park, The Niagara River and in later years international shorebird projects. Ted was so enthusiastic, kind and passionate in all his endeavors. I particularly recall his excitement for supporting ornithologists in Latin America. He will be rememberd fondly, as an inspiration, by many across the continent.

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Je tenais à t'exprimer, chère Cristina, toute ma sympathie et mon soutien dans cette épreuve si difficile. Mes pensées t'accompagnent, ainsi que ta famille. Que Dieu bénisse Ted.

My dear Cristina, I’m so sorry for your loss. I only met Ted a couple of times, but he struck me as such a gentle, kind and funny person. I’m really sorry you’re going through this. Please know I’m here for you, anytime, whether you need to talk, or go for a coffee. Sending you a big hug and lots of love. ❤️

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Ted came into my life in 1976 when he was in the Man-Environment Program at the University of Waterloo. I taught ME150, applied ecology to about 80 students, 20 at a time. I had each student undertake an inventory of the birds of part of the local Laurel Creek Conservation Area. Ted was enthralled and started into a long career in bird study. I started the Cambridge Christmas Bird Count in 1976. After a few years, Ted Chesky took over the compiler's responsibilities. He did this for about 20 years. Throughout this time he was an environmental education teacher at the Wrigley's Corners Environmental Education Center. He and his wife provided a lovely chile dinner at the Wrigley Center after the long day in the cold. All the area compilers read out the findings as Ted recorded them all. It was a delightful evening. The circle of life came around when two of my sons, Ryan and Robert, took part in ecokids programs operated by Ted. Ted moved away from the Region of Waterloo when he started work with Nature Canada. Ted always took a leadership role, enriching the lives of all around him. He will be missed. Professor Paul Eagles

Bonjour ma belle Cristina. Gilles et moi vous envoie à toi et toute la famille nos sincères condoléances. Nous avons eu beaucoup de plaisir à vous connaître au studio de danse.

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Saddened to hear that a great champion of birds has passed too soon, although he leaves a lasting legacy of achievements, family and friends. I collsborated with Ted on mant bird conservation projects and was so happy to see the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory succeed with his unwavering dedication over many years. Ted was an engaging storyteller and I still remember some of his tales about camping and travel adventures he told decades ago. Condolences to his family.