Obituary of Ernest Marsden

It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Ernie Marsden of Calgary, on Sunday, December 30, 2007 at the Rockyview Hospital at the age of 80. He died with his loving family around him after a brief but courageous fight against cancer. Ernie was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather and brother to his family. He was born in Calgary in 1927 and attended Balmoral and Crescent Heights Schools. When his father joined the army in 1939, and went overseas; Ernie became the”Man of the House” at the age of twelve and took great care of his family of girls. Upon graduation, Ernie worked at Consolidated Mining and Smelting until 1951. Then he served in the Royal Canadian Navy serving on the HMCS Magnificent. In Halifax at a Y.M.C.A. dance he met a lovely young lady from Newfoundland, Melba Ereaut and they fell in love and were married in 1953. After the birth of their first child in 1955, Ernie left the Navy and they moved back to Calgary the next year and settled into married and civilian life. He and Melba raised four children in their Parkdale home and he dearly loved working in his showcase garden. Ernie worked for London Life Insurance and then for Canada Post Office retiring in 1986. Ernie was a loyal and conscientious member of the congregation of St. Andrew’s Anglican Church for over fifty years serving as sidesman, vestry member, choir member, Rector’s Warden, greeter, gardener and handy man. He was also a very active member of the “Nifty Fifties” group in his community of Parkdale and served as President for three years and on the Board of Directors for six years. He was Akala for the Parkdale Wolf Cubs from 1964 to 1967. Always volunteering, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Ernie is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Melba, their children Gordon (Fran), Doug (Pat) and Linda Merrit (Terry) five grandsons, Kris, Trevor, Ian, Robert, and Brett and six granddaughters, Heather, Laura, Jill, Lindsay, Rebecca and Rachel. He also leaves to mourn him two sisters Jean Hall and Doreen Catley (Colin) in laws, Maisie (Bill) Guy, George Ereaut (Annie), Roy (Johanne) Ereaut, son-in-law Kelly Kowalchuk and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his beloved daughter Sheila Kowalchuk in 2005, mother Ivy in 1965, father Ernie in 1966, and baby sister, Sylvia in 1933. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Rosedale Hospice in memory of Ernie. SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS A celebration of Ernie’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church – 1611 St. Andrew’s Place N. W. on Friday, January 4, 2008 at 2:00 P.M., the Reverend Mark Loyal officiating. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mark for the comforting prayers and loving care he showed us all at this sad time. Thanks also to the nurses and staff on Unit 47 at the Rockyview Hospital. In living memory of Ernie Marsden, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH Telephone: (403) 276-2296.