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Community icon Ted Moffat dies ‘He had a belief in Prince George second to none’
DELYNDA PILON
work to unravel its problems. “Ted was prepared to improve and make this place a better place rather than just complain about it,” Brownridge said. “You don’t replace people like that.” It adds to the sorrow that Ted Moffat passed away Family, Brownridge said, was just days before the Kordyban Lodge was set to host its very important to grand opening. Moffat. But family Moffat, who operated the Northern didn’t just mean his Hardware, a family-owned and operated parents, spouse and business that’s been part of the landscape children. It included in the city for almost a century, passed his employees. away Feb. 26. The Lodge’s grand opening “Ted was more is set for March 1. than an employer to “He was a huge supporter of the his staff members,” Kordyban Lodge,” Brian Brownridge of Dennis Busby, manBrownridge Insurance, a long-time friend ager of Northern of Moffat and a fellow supporter of the Hardware, said. “We Kordyban Lodge campaign, said. “It’s did become his family opening Friday. Ted passed yesterday over the years, I had due to cancer, and he was in Vancouver Ted Moffat the privilege to have for his treatment. -Died Tuesday him as my employer “He was proud of the fact that was an for 20 years. Not only accomplishment for Prince George.” did I lose my boss, I lost a very Brownridge, who went to school with Moffat’s sister, good friend. There’s so many Val, and who has known the family for a number of years, said Moffat was born and raised in Prince George, people who could say that. We’re going to miss him a whole lot.” and proud of it. “He was an extremely prinThe love he had for the city spurred him to be politicipled man,” Brownridge said. cally astute. Brownridge, who served as a city alderman “The important things in his life under Ted’s father, Harold, said. He and Moffat enjoyed were his family and community. a number of spirited political conversations. He said His family was extended, That Moffat enjoyed talking politics – or just about anything was reflected in his business. Ted else, with just about anyone willing to join in. considered those people an exten“Ted had an incredible sense of humour. Nobody -enjoyed telling a story more than Ted,” Brownridge said. sion of his family. There’s a vibe in that store that doesn’t exist in “He’d hold court up in the furniture section with anymost businesses today.” one who cared to have a discussion about damn near Hilliard Clare, who worked side by side with Moffat anything. for over 50 years, agrees. “I don’t know whether problems were created or “He went about running the business,” Clare said. solved but he was always willing to listen.” “He wasn’t a really out-front guy, but he was very conBrownridge said Moffat’s love for the city was tied to cerned about business and employees. This organization politics, in that he wanted whatever was best for Prince has run like a family as long as I’ve been here, and that’s George. 60 years. “The underlying concern with Ted if it was politics Clare added Moffat also cared a great deal about his or otherwise was is it going to improve things for the customers. City of Prince George? He had a belief in Prince George “He was helpful. He was very concerned about busisecond to none. He loved it here. He loved the people of ness. He followed his old grandfather’s theory that the Prince George.” most important person in the world was the one who But not only did he love the city, he was willing to
comes through that front door,” he said. Clare smiled remembering an old saying at the Northern, and one many people in Prince George believe true. “The saying is if we don’t have it you don’t need it,” he laughed. He added Moffat was a good communicator. “We would meet each day as it came. He always shared any problems, and we’d try to address them. He was very good at communicating with me.” Moffat was known both for his generosity and his inclination to shy from the spotlight. “He was involved in the Fiddler’s Club, involved in a logging association. He was very much a community-oriented guy, and he was always endeavouring to improve the downtown area,” Clare said. Brownridge added Moffat was generous both with his time and his money. “Ted was generous, giving not only of money but of his time. He served on a number of boards.” The boards spanned a myriad of interests, from the Old Time Fiddlers to being a member of the board of directors for B.C. Rail to Brian Brownridge the forestry museum. Brownridge agreed with Clare in that Moffat wasn’t one to seek the spotlight. “Ted was very much under the radar. He wasn’t the guy who wanted to be front and centre. That was always ted’s way.” He laughed when asked if Moffat was ever interested in the mayor’s chair. “That’s a bit of a stretch. I have spent more time with Ted in the last six to eight months than any other individual. Certainly, we had politics in our blood and we had many discussions but if he was going to run it would have been before now.” Brownridge said Moffat knew of his illness for several months before his passing.
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The underlying concern with Ted if it was politics or otherwise was is it going to improve things for the City of Prince George? He had a belief in Prince George second to none. He loved it here. He loved the people of Prince George.”
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