It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, brother and husband on June 29th in White Rock BC.
Ernie is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Valerie; loving sons Barry (Pam), Glenn (Cindy), Antony (Alison), Mark (Sharen) and Jamie (Diane); grandchildren, Kristen, Shawne, Aaron, Angela, Shandra, Marina, Shane, Brendan and Shauna; greatgrandchildren; Josh, Jessie, Lucas, Bailey, Taylor, Emmeline, Charlotte and Ronan; siblings, Mike, Lionel and Norman. He is predeceased by his loving parents, Archibald and Dorothy; sister Barbara and grandson Toni.
Ernie was born in Portsmouth England. In his younger years he spent time in the merchant navy before moving to Canada with Val and his boys in 1971. He had a passion for the sea and was an avid diver and sailor. His stories kept family and friends entertained for decades and live on through his sons and grandchildren. Ernie had a love for music and enjoyed nothing better than being with family and friends singing and playing piano and of course the "bones"!
Our family is grateful that Ernie could stay at home until very recently and for the loving care he received at the Peace Arch Hospital over the last few weeks.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations in Ernest's memory can be made to the Peace Arch Hospice Society.
"A few who have watched me sail away,
Will miss my craft from the busy day;
Some friendly barques were anchored near,
some loving souls that my heart held dear
In silent sorrow will drop a tear;
But I shall have peacefully furled my sail
In the mooring sheltered from the storm and gale,
And greeted friends who had sailed before
O'er the unknown sea to the unknown shore."
-Elizabeth Clark Hardy