FRIENDS and family of former Terrace and District Museum Society board member Ed Curell and society board members gathered at Heritage Park Museum Aug. 14 for a brief ceremony to dedicate an apple tree in memory of Curell who passed away in 2014.
The Wealthy apple tree was the first variety to be cultivated to withstand North America's harsh winters, noted museum society chair Grant Piffer.
He recalled first hearing Curell's voice on the radio in the early 80s when, as the Terrace Public Library librarian, he provided talks on books.
Piffer said Curell proved to be a guiding force during the lead up to the expansion of the Terrace Public Library in the 1990s.
Curell, said Piffer, brought a “positive voice” to the community.
The tree, Piffer continued, harkens back to the 1920s and 1930s when Terrace farmers grew and exported large quantities of apples.
Curell's wife, Wendy Berg, also said a few words.
“Apples were Ed's favourite fruit,” she said in noting the appropriate nature of the dedication.
Berg also noted a historical connection in that her family once ran a store in Burns Lake which sold Terrace apples and other fruit.
And since she lives close by Heritage Park, Berg said she'll be able to visit the tree often.
Born in Vancouver, Curell moved to Terrace in 1979, beginning a 29-year long career as the head librarian of the Terrace Public Library.
The reading room at the library was named in his honour following his death in 2014.