ERNEST SINGLETON

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ERNEST SINGLETON Ernest Singleton passed away peacefully at the Peter Lougheed Hospital in Calgary, Alberta on March 26, 2004, due to complications from a stroke, at age 75. He was born on October 3, 1928 in Markethill, in the county of Armagh, Northern Ireland. Ernie was predeceased by his loving wife, Miriam Anne, on August 30, 1997, to whom he was married for 42 years. Ernie leaves to mourn his loss: three daughters, Maureen and her husband Gary Balicki and their daughter Rose of Cooper City, Florida; Joanne and her husband Victor Breen and their daughters Samantha and Katherine of Portland, Oregon; and Cheryl Singleton of London, England; and one son, David, and his wife Cori and their daughter Jessica, of Calgary, Alberta. Ernie is also survived by a sister Elsie Singleton, and brothers Bertie Singleton and John Singleton and their respective families, all residing in Northern Ireland, and many cousins, particularly in Winnipeg and Toronto. Ernie arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba from Northern Ireland in the fall of 1948. He met Miriam Anne Hemphill at the "Greenwood Church Young Peoples" group, and they married in May, 1955. They lived in Winnipeg until 1990 and spent summers at Victoria Beach, Manitoba. Miriam and Ernie made lifelong friendships in the Greenwood Young Peoples group and on Dudley Crescent in Winnipeg. After retiring from the Manitoba Governments department of Health and Welfare, Ernie and Miriam moved to picturesque Arbutus Ridge on Vancouver Island in 1990. After Miriam passed away, and following Ernies stroke, Ernie moved to Calgary in 2001 to be nearer to family. Ernie was a passionate golfer who played frequently during his working life and almost daily throughout his retirement. He loved to travel, and took his family on extended camping trips throughout most of Canada and the United States. He later saw much of the rest of the world with Miriam. He also enjoyed being outside, and never felt closer to God than in his garden. Throughout Ernies life, he was a tireless volunteer for his church (Oxford United Church) and community (Crescentwood Community Centre), and many charitable foundations. He also donated over 100 pints of blood to the Winnipeg Red Cross. Ernie loved his wife, children and grandchildren, and he leaves many close friends and relatives. He took great delight in watching his childrens and grandchildrens activities, ranging from baseball, hockey and soccer to piano and dance recitals. All of his friends and family recognize him as a truly honourable, humble and kind person, with extraordinary patience and generosity, a dry sense of humour and an enduring faithfulness to his family and loved ones. He will be lovingly remembered and forever missed. Our sincere thanks to all of the caregivers and medical personnel for their compassionate care and support during the past five years. Thanks also to the many family members, friends, neighbours and coworkers who shared Ernies life, and who gave comfort to him and his family. Interment will take place on Tuesday, May 25 at 4:00 p.m., on Vancouver Island beside Miriam at Hatley Memorial Gardens located at 2050 Sooke Road, Victoria, B.C., with Rev. Kerry McIntyre of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church officiating. On Saturday, May 29 at 2:00 p.m., a memorial celebrating the lives of both Ernie and Miriam will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba at McClure United Church located at 533 Greenwood Place, with Rev. Wendy Rankin officiating. Flowers are gratefully declined. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Ernies memory to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 15, 2004