ERNIE PETER HILASH

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ERNIE PETER HILASH Ernie Peter Hilash of Wellwood, MB, died suddenly on August 26, 2006, aged 63. He is deeply missed by wife Marg (Malcolm), also of Wellwood and daughter Marnie Hilash and son-in-law Bill McLeod of Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, Mike and Nellie Hilash, his sister Mary (Tex) Kirk, his brother-in-law Johnny Malcolm and his father-in-law John Malcolm. Other immediate family mourning Ernie include, siblings and spouses, John (Olga) Hilash, Pearl (Norm) Honish, Teena (Dennis) Honish and brother-in-law Tex Kirk, all of Sherwood Park, AB, brother Wally (Ann) Hilash of Winnipeg, mother-in-law Janet (Nettie) Malcolm of Neepawa, sisters-in-law, Janet (Mel) Nicholson of Neepawa and Connie (Claire) Chudley of Brandon. Ernie is fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews as well as their children, for he made an effort to know each of them. His most recent fan is great-niece Casey, granddaughter of Teena and Dennis Honish; he visited Sherwood Park at Christmas 2005 and attended her baptism June 2006. The youngest of six children, Ernie was born July 6, 1943 and grew up in Fork River, MB; his father was the town blacksmith. He completed high school in Winnipegosis and intended to join the next RCMP training group after graduation. However, while accompanying a friend who wished to join the Hydro, Ernie filled out an application for the Manitoba Lineman Apprenticeship Program and got the job; he spent the whole of his working life with Manitoba Hydro. During his apprenticeship, Ernie worked in many locations throughout the province and cultivated friendships in each community he visited. While working in Brandon, he met Marg Malcolm through the introduction of mutual friend Ron Redlin, and Marg and Ernie married in 1966. With daughter Marnie, they lived in a mobile home at Marg's parents' Wellwood farm for a period. Ernie's first permanent work assignment with Manitoba Hydro was Brandon, and he retired from that posting in 1997. While living in Brandon, Ernie and Marg purchased a home and pursued many interests with family and numerous friends, including curling and trap shooting at Brandon Gun Club. Marg and Ernie purchased the Malcolm farm in 1983 and moved there completely in 1986; for 10 years Marg and Ernie commuted from Wellwood to their workplaces in Brandon. Ernie loved the farm, the community, and its people. He relished the opportunity to have animals, pursue his myriad interests, and create a space on the land of which he was proud: the mowed portion of the farmyard doubled in size. He claimed to be Glen Wright's oldest employee as he took holidays from his job with the Hydro yearly to work the potato harvest. He brought a little extra to the job (beyond his skills and experience as a safe and conscientious operator of large equipment) willing and able to tackle welding and wiring as needed to minimize 'down' time. He was looking forward to helping to bring in the crop again this year when he was taken from us so suddenly. Ernie enjoyed auction sales, and the most treasured finds he often brought home were stories of visits shared with friends, old and new. It is a small comfort that he was at an auction sale in Neepawa, enjoying a coffee and a chat when some part of his body failed him catastrophically; he never regained consciousness. Less than ten hours later at the St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, attempts to resuscitate were ceased. The family sincerely thanks all who tried to help Ernie for their commitment and professionalism and know every effort was made to secure a happier outcome. Memorial services were held at the Carberry Community Hall, September 1, 2006, directed by Rev. Grosskopf. The family was assisted with arrangements by White's Funeral Home of Neepawa, and family friend Marla Niekamp of Winnipeg delivered a touching and heartfelt eulogy. Laid to rest in the Wellwood Cemetery, Ernie's ashes were contained in a wooden box crafted by his brother Wally; from a tree that grew on the Wellwood farm; the wood had been salvaged as lumber by Ernie and his neighbour and dear friend Bob Wilson. Though we can no longer enjoy his company, Ernie will be remembered as a kind, gentle, and unassuming man who cared deeply for his family, friends, and community. Those who wish to honour his memory may choose to donate to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba or the Canadian Diabetes Association.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 09, 2006