SJUBERG, Ernie
Ernest Walfred Sjuberg, AKA Gramps, Grampy, Uncle Ernie and Shoey, completed his well-lived life at age 85 on Sunday, Oct. 16, passing peacefully in his sleep.
Ernie grew up in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, where his love of the bush was born. He began working in the woods as a young man and settled in the Comox Valley in 1954 with his wife Verna and young family. He was a faller in Gold River for the last 28 years of his working life.
After retiring in 1986 he traded working the sidehills of Gold River for hiking the trails of Strathcona Park with Verna, grandchildren and late friend Pete Sanford. In his later years he was often seen exploring Puntledge River trails, the railroad tracks and other parts of town and the Comox Valley.
Ernie devoured books and was a regular at the Courtenay Library, and the Laughing Oyster and Second Page bookstores.
He had a passion for gladiolus and bred his own varieties, some of which he christened with names of significance to his working life, such as Conuma, Nimpkish and Nesook.
Flowers and produce from the family’s huge garden were shared far and wide — illustrating just one aspect of his generous spirit.
Ernie had strong political beliefs and felt everyone deserved the right to a home, a job, education and health care. Despite his frustrations with the current state of the world, he often said he had lived through the best years in history.
Ernie is survived by his wife Verna, daughters Linda (Dave), Gail (Michael) and Anne; grandchildren Shannon, Christiane, Nigel, Rylan and Chloe; and great-grandchildren Tristan, Phoebe and Kendra; and a large extended family. He was predeceased by his mother Martha, father Charlie, sister Ethel and daughter Marie.
No service by request. Condolences accepted online at Piercy’s-Mt. Washington Funeral Home site or Remembering.ca.