June 23, 1939 – Mar 22, 2021
With immense sorrow we announce the death of our beloved Ted, husband, father and grandfather, at the age of 81, victim of a tragic accident sustained while out running the evening of January 12/21. He survived 10 weeks in hospital but succumbed to multiple traumatic injuries and other underlying causes.
Ted’s journey began (born Sansei, 3rd generation Japanese Canadian) in Ucluelet, B.C., son of Takeo Itani (commercial fisherman), and Sumako Oye. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Ted’s family was forcibly removed from their home, taking only the possessions they could carry. They were confined in primitive stables in Hastings Park, Vancouver, until months later when they were moved and incarcerated in a camp in East Lillooet on the Fraser River, 1942. Having lost their civil rights – though all were Canadian citizens – they remained in B.C.’s interior until after the end of the war. By then, their confiscated possessions had been sold off.
Ted’s later childhood was spent in Westbank, BC. As a young man, he began a 37-year career with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). He served with NATO in Europe on 3 separate assignments and held command, staff and instructional posts in Canada and abroad. He graduated from the Canadian Army Staff College, NATO Defense College in Rome, International Institute of Humanitarian Law, San Remo, Italy. He pursued language studies in French, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, and German. Recently, he attended the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative at Dalhousie. Ted served as Commanding Officer of the 1st Airborne Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery, of the Canadian Airborne Regiment (Edmonton 1972-74). UN missions included long periods in the Horn of Africa, Pakistan, Iran/Iraq, the former Yugoslavia. He held various jobs as Faculty Member, Peacekeeper and UN Monitor. He was awarded the Order of Military Merit in 1991, and in 2015 was appointed to the Order of Canada.
Ted made an early decision to commit himself to justice, peace and gender equality. He overcame adversity and prejudice, and with wisdom and humour, worked selflessly to help others. He had enormous inner strength, and no fear of making tough decisions. After retirement from the CAF (1994), he began a 26-year career in humanitarian aid work with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies, and Canadian Red Cross (CRC). For 17 years, he took on various roles with the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, helping to design and deliver training courses conducted around the world. In 1995 he supported efforts to negotiate a mine-ban convention, which came to fruition in the 1997 Ottawa Treaty. He worked for the ICRC until 2004, including a 2 ½-year mission in Central Asia, based in Tashkent, his territory covering Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan and Turkmenistan. In Geneva, he worked on the Missing People Project, and as advisor on International Humanitarian Law and diplomacy. With the Canadian Red Cross, he led responses to natural disasters including Sri Lanka and Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami; 2005-06 earthquake relief in Pakistan; Operations Coordinator with Pakistan Red Crescent Society in Baluchistan (2008 earthquake); and Pakistan during the 2010 floods. He worked for the US State Department Global Peace Operations Initiative as Subject Matter Expert and threw his energy into his work, whether it was classroom or field. He left his mark in many places, including Haiti, Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia. In his last years he was a committed Red Cross mentor and Volunteer. To quote a colleague: “He was dignified, respectful of people and honourable.”
Ted and Frances eloped in Montreal in 1967 and moved about Canada and the world together, including 3 years in Heidelberg, Germany, while working and raising Russell and Sam. Ted is deeply mourned by his loving wife of 53 years, Frances Susan Itani in Ottawa ON. He was a steady and gentle guiding presence for his children and grandchildren: son, Russell James Satoshi Itani (Aileen), and granddaughter Frances Michiko Itani, Copenhagen, DK; and daughter, Samantha Leiko Itani (Paul), and granddaughters Campbell Itani Smith and Tate Itani Smith, Lindsay, ON. Ted is survived by sister, Nancy Teruko Minato (Dick), and brother, Bing Tsuyoshi Itani (predeceased by Carol). Siblings who predeceased him: Tom Taketoshi Itani (Beryl), Linda Teruyo Terai (Isao), Anne Terumi Murata (Kazuya), and Violet Toyoko Itani. Ted is loved and respected by cousins, nieces and nephews, and mourned by colleagues and friends around the world. He was a lifetime runner and completed many marathons, including the original route in Greece, and the Boston Marathon. He will be missed by his running partners, and by his fishing buddies in PEI.
Ted’s wishes were to be cremated. When it is safe to do so, a Memorial Gathering will be held for Family, Friends and Colleagues at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON. Please visit www.beechwoodottawa.ca for further details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made in Ted’s name to the Canadian Red Cross, International Disaster Relief Fund (redcross.ca/donate; or by calling 1-800-418-1111; or by cheque indicating ‘IDRF’ to National Processing Centre, P.O. Box 39, Saint John, NB. E2L 3X3.
Digital Guestbook
David and Iris MacPherson
Nicole Tuyten
Dear Sam, My heart goes out to you and your family at such a heartbreaking time. No doubt the 'Butterfly Effect' of your father's remarkable actions during his physical time on earth will be making the world and lives of others better, in expected and unexpected ways, for years to come. Thinking of you.
Chiran Livera
My heartfelt condolences to Frances and family, and all those that had the honour of befriending Ted. You touched us deeply and imprinted me at a young age to be a humanitarian. Thank you for your empathy, stories and wisdom. You will be missed greatly dear Ted.
Sue Cornette
My condolences to dear Ted's family. What a great loss but he leaves such a great legacy. I worked with Ted for years during many Red Cross trainings. His experience and gentle demeanor were always welcomed. When introducing Ted to new staff at the office, he had the biggest smile as he proudly said that he is "the oldest volunteer". Ted had a love for plants as do I, so he gave me baby Jade plants. As they thrive in my house, I will fondly remember all that Ted represents, a true humanitarian, a solid Red Crosser & a real gentleman. You will be so very much missed my dear friend Ted.
Pamela Davie
"Let's ask Ted." I cannot count the number of times that was said among Red Cross colleagues when a complex assignment or opportunity to represent and speak about our humanitarian principles and efforts arose . He was our rock and rock star. That he will remain that in spirit for so many of us throughout the world is testament to his generosity and beautiful character. We loved to hear about you, Frances and all the family as of all the things and experiences he had to share, you were always what made him shine most. My deepest condolences to you, Frances, Russell and Samantha and all the family. My thoughts are with you.
Col Conrad A Namiesniowski (Ret"d)
To Ted's family and Friends, It is with a heavy heart that I read about Ted's passing. He was such a great man who gave much of himself and positively influenced all people that he met. His influence was of global proportions and his legacy will continue for years to come. It is a tragedy that he was cut down in such a manner and that his global influence is cut short. My son (Col Conrad R Namiesniowski (Ret'd)) and I pass on our deepest sympathies to all of you.
wartini pramana
It took me while to be able to process his loss. I have known him so many years from working in the Canadian Red Cross. I always see him as a role model for a humanitarian worker as well as how to life fully and gracefully at any age. He was still full of life at his age - his passions never seemed to die. He is such a strong and gentle person at the same time. Yes, he is my hero. Even though you are not here with us anymore Ted, you still influence us in many ways. RIP Ted.
Jack and Jane Harris
Jane and I were sad to hear that Ted had died. We spent 3 happy years together in Rot while we were both posted to Central Army Group in Heidelberg.
Ted, Bill Molnar, Kenn Doerksen and I were neighbours in Rot and shared the commute to Campbell Barracks every day. Ted was a great source of humour and conversation. When Francis and the children were summering in PEI, Ted tended to live on garlic. This made him a rather odiferous vehicle mate the next morning. So....we would make him sit in the back with the windows open - a situation that seemed to suit him just fine.
Security at Campbell Barracks had been stepped up because of threats against NATO and US personnel. Ted became the bane of the gate guards. He was often granted access by using, among other things, a folded $5 Canadian bill, his Baden Wandering club membership card, and a variety of cards found at random in his wallet. He would then report the incident to the CENTAG security office where he was assured it would "never happen again". And...of course, it always happened again!
It was during one of these summers that we had the "Geronimo affair". He had been entrusted with the task of looking after Geronimo, the gold fish, while the family was away. One day, early in the summer, he managed to break the bowl while cleaning it. As a temporary measure he filled up the bathtub (Ted always used the shower) and let Geronimo live there. This lasted for the entire summer. As goldfish will do, Geronimo grew.....and grew.....and grew. I never knew how he explained this to the family when they returned.
We were both runners and ran together almost every noon hour. On the weekend, with the Doerksens and the Molnars, we would Volksmarch. While the families walked the 10km, we would earn our "post march" beer and wurst by runnng the 20km.
Europe was a delight for marathon runners and we ran Fulda, Frankfurt, Athens and London together. The night before each marathon, Ted would "fuel up". This often included eating not one, but two pasta dinners. One time in Fulda he confounded the "herr ober" who could not get the count for dinners correct. No matter what he did, there was one more order than there were people. He was delighted when he found out that the smallest person at the table had ordered two dinners, and had then proceeded to eat them both.
Unfortunately, this over indulgence often led to the inevitable, and urgent, need to have a dump during the race. This often seemed to happen at about the 10 mile point and initiated a desperate search for a facility. While doing the London Marathon we were unable to find anything suitable. So....Ted sprinted ahead to find a pub. When I finally caught up with him he was standing in front of a pub surrounded by a group of grinning Brits and drinking a beer. It turns out the proprietor was happy to let him use the facilities, but only if he would have a beer! Of course someone was happy to buy him one! And, being Ted, he drank it!
All my many memories of Ted are happy ones. Whenever I think of him, it is with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
Rebecca Boyce
I remember him as such a surprising source for protection and gender equality stories from the field, always ready to interject in every meeting with these important topics in mind and e-mailing myself and other gender advisor colleagues with highly relevant articles. I remember my shock and admiration after realising that he was a volunteer. A big loss for his family including us at the CRC.
Christine Persaud
Humility, leadership, courage and compassion. Ted’s profound wisdom permeated in everything he did, but most importantly, he shared it generously and with tenderness. It is also his kindness and authenticity that drew us closer, a presence I will never forget. My deepest condolences to Frances and your family, of which he often spoke about with so much love and pride.
Thank you for your service and leadership Ted, to The Regiment, the Canadian Forces, our country, and to so many around the world.