ERWIN DANIEL ANDERES

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ERWIN DANIEL ANDERES

Erwin Daniel Anderes made a peaceful exit on October 24, 2025 at the age of 94, leaving a legacy of dedication to family, pride of hard work, love of the lake, and complete satisfaction in the simple things life had to offer. “No problem” was one of his favourite expressions.

Erwin was predeceased by Eileen, his wife of 68 years and leaves his children, Rick (Judy) Anderes, Janice (Rick) Skene, Suzy Anderes (Scott Wolsey); grandchildren, Jocelyne (Matthew), Russel (Lucy), Daniel (Jenny), Sean (Samantha), Cailin and Jenna. His five great-grandchildren were such a source of joy to him and he was fortunate to have had so much time with them.

Erwin was born in Switzerland and was close to his four siblings – Prisca, Walter, Victor and Hugo – and their families. In Winnipeg, he was folded into the Thrush/Cassie/Gordon clan enjoying many life events with Eileen’s brothers and sister and their families. Of all the brothers and sisters on both sides, Victor remains to mourn the loss of his brother.

Erwin arrived in Winnipeg at the age of 21 with no English and a plan to stay in Canada for a brief adventure. He met Eileen at a newcomers’ dance, learned to speak English on his own and literally pounded the pavement on Princess Street to find his first job in a machine shop. Not much later he started his career as Chief Engineer for a company designing and fabricating car and bus-washing equipment, which took him all over North and South America. In 1978 he started his own company, EDA Mechanical Services, which went on to become a successful family business, and formed many great relationships with loyal customers and suppliers. Everyone knew Erwin could make just about anything and, even though he left EDA in his late 70s, he continued to work on custom projects into his 90s.

Erwin loved Eileen to the moon and back and together they raised their family in Fort Garry. She took care of things for years when he was on his many business trips, and he looked after her patiently when she could no longer take care of herself. In their younger days, Erwin and Eileen enjoyed cross-country skiing, tennis, sailing, swimming and golfing - instilling a love of physical activity in all their kids. Vacations consisted of cross-country driving trips which got elevated to camping in a tent trailer made by Erwin, to a hard trailer and finally to the Falcon Lake cottage that became their focus for the past 50 years. Dad’s work ethic was never so fully on display as at Falcon Lake. The morning swim, following by the morning game of crib, breakfast and then five solid hours of working not only on his cottage but helping all the neighbours. At 4:30 the power tools were put away, one more swim and then “who wants a Caesar?” We all made fun of the “rules and routine” but it was what he loved and all he needed as long as Eileen and family were close by (and the weather was good)!

Over the years he made many trips with Eileen to visit his extended family in Switzerland, the US and South Africa - even hosting some of them in Winnipeg. His Swiss heritage was a source of great pride and coloured our family experiences with memorable Christmas fondues, the summer sausage-fest, very specific rules regarding “toasts” and his need for Swiss punctuality.

On any occasion when a toast is required, we will always think of Dad as we raise our glasses, look each other in the eyes, say the other person’s name and happily remember the good times and the great life he provided us with.

The immediate family will gather to celebrate Erwin’s life this summer. In lieu of flowers a donation to the charity of your choice would be much appreciated.

Tributes: www.alternacremation.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 08, 2025