Ernest (Ernie) Edward BATES
December 3, 1910 – February 7, 2013
Ernie passed away peacefully on February 7, 2013 at the age of 102 years, at Stanford Place in Parksville, BC. He was predeceased by his wife, Margery (nee Knight) in Parksville; his sister, Sadie; brothers, Frank (Ethel), Tom (Linda), and sister, Edith (Ted) Hubbard all in England.
Born in Walthamstow, England, Ernie grew up in the Highams Park area of London becoming a Boy Scout and meeting Baden Powell. At the age of 18 he apprenticed to the Hudson’s Bay Company and travelled to Canada, begininning as a clerk in Northern Ontario in the fur trade. He and his future wife, Margery met at Dinorwic, Ontario. After managing many posts across Northern Ontario, Ernie and Margery moved to BC and finally retired on Vancouver Island from Kitimat, settling first at French Creek and then moving to Pym Street in Parksville.
Always interested in the outdoors, Ernie is remembered as an avid fisherman, in earlier years, along with camping and lake boating. He and Margery were early members of the Arrowsmith Naturalists, participated in Brant counts and were always strongly interested in the environment around us.
Ernie and Margery were supporters of St. Anne’s St. Edmund’s Anglican Church in Parksville, with Ernie being a longtime member of the choir.
Ernie is lovingly remembered by his only son, Tom and daughter-in-law, Lorraine of Nanoose Bay, BC; granddaughters, Terri (Rundle) Williamson of Canmore, AB; Laurie (Bart) Bates-Frymel of Vancouver, BC; Edie (Cliff) Richard of Edmonton, AB; also great-granddaughters, Serina and Kyla Williamson and Lexi and Alina Richard; additionally, nephews and nieces, Barrie Bates, Gaynor Foster, Graham Bates, Neil Hubbard, John Hubbard in England and overseas and Jane Closs and John Closs of Ontario, George Bell and Ian Bell of Alberta.
We thank the staff at Stanford Place in Parksville for their ongoing care and attention for Ernie. In particular thanks to Vicki, Carla and Heather and all the many others who cared for and supported Ernie through these last few years. We would also like to thank the Rev. Andrew Twiddy of St. Anne’s and St. Edmund’s Anglican Church for his ongoing support for the family.
Cremation has taken place. A service and celebration will be held July 15, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. At St. Anne’s St. Edmund’s Anglican Church, 407 Wembley Rd., Parksville when family and friends are best able to gather. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be most appreciated.