ERNEST MERVIN FRANK COLYER



Ernie Colyer, 82 years of age, passed away peacefully on Thursday October 1, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Ernie was born in Port Arthur on November 11, 1932. He met his soul mate Sharon Hinton at Hillcrest high school. They were married on February 21, 1953. They enjoyed 54+ years together until her death in 2009.



Ernie was a devoted father and grandfather. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren loving them all equally. He provided the opportunity for his children to be successful in life and he took pride in their accomplishments.



Ernie was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling in his youth. He was active with fishing and camping well into his retirement. He planted and maintained his beloved garden for many years including this summer.



He could be considered “old school” as he was very mechanically inclined. He built and maintained his own home. He had his own workshop shop in the basement of his home and a welding equipment in his back yard. He preferred to fix everything he could on his own including the manufacturing of any required parts. He was often helping his children with renovations of their homes, maintaining vehicles or building toys for the grandchildren.



Ernie worked at Abitibi Thunder Bay Paper Mill for over 40 years retiring in October 1991. He assisted his wife Sharon with many of her charitable activities especially with the local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.



Ernie is survived by daughters Roberta Simpson (Peter), Laurie Soloway (Gordon), son Philip (Cecile), eight grandchildren Aaron, Kelly, Jennifer, Angela, Elizabeth, Nicole, Blair, Sean, eleven great grandchildren Natasha, Brennen, Laurisa, Liam, Nigel, Taylor, William, Colin, Genia, Rhonia & Hailey, brother Don Colyer and several cousins.



Predeceased by his wife Sharon Colyer, son James John Colyer, father Ernest F. Colyer, mother Violet Colyer, sister in law Carol Colyer and niece Devona Higdon.



Funeral services will be held on Tuesday October 6, 2015 at 11:00 am in the Sargent and Sons Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street with Rev. Adelina Pecchia presiding. The interment at Riverside Cemetery will follow the reception. Visitation will be held Monday Oct. 5, 2015 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at Sargent and Sons. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the local Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Foundation Northern Cancer Fund. On Line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.

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