Ernie Byl Memories
Ernie has been a lifelong friend since the early 1970’s when we were 19 years old. Our adventures have been varied and created wonderful memories. On a lark, one Tuesday night around midnight Ernie and I decided we should go visit Pat Gleason who was working on a train gang at Entrance, Alberta. We drove thru the night and arrived around 4 am. Pat was sleeping in a train bunk house on the tracks. We parked very close to the train and went to sleep in the car. Pat awoke at 6am and threw open the sliding door, only to see my car parked a few feet from the train. Believing he was still dreaming, he had a whiz from the train door as he did every morning, this time almost hitting the hood of the car. After rubbing his eyes, he recognized the car and came to see what the heck was going on. We told Pat that we were going to Vancouver for a few days and he should come. Pat spoke to the boss and explained the situation. The boss said no way, get to work. Pat was left with no choice but to quit his job and hop in the car for a last adventure before we all headed off to Europe. The three of us had a great time driving to Vancouver, staying a few days with my aunt, and then driving back again.
Shortly after returning, 5 of us buddies hopped on the train to Montreal and then flew to Copenhagen, Denmark. It was a wonderful 3 months exploring Europe all the way down to Morrocco and back to Denmark for the flight home. Unfortunately, early on in the trip Ernie’s return flight ticket got stolen while we were in a hostel in Amsterdam. Lufthansa Air assured Ernie they would replace his ticket and it would be awaiting him upon his return to Copenhagen. Undaunted, we set out for the adventure of a lifetime, seeing Holland, France, and Italy. We lived on the island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean for a week with some Americans we met. Next, we skied the Matterhorn Mountain in Switzerland for a week, then off to Spain and into Morrocco. Morrocco was certainly the most exciting, with everything being so different from Europe. At various times we were all together traveling or split up and traveled alone. As we worked our way north again, we were excited to fly home. Alas, when we got to Copenhagen the airline tickets were nowhere to be found. I said, Ernie I’ll stay till your tickets arrive in a week. Being almost out of money and no place to stay. Ernie and I squatted in the airport sleeping on the airport waiting area benches. The cleaning staff took great delight in waking us up each night and making us move while they cleaned. With so little money left we had to make it last. We bought a loaf of heavy black bread and a big jar of peanut butter. Three times a day we ate a slice with peanut butter. By the end of the week, we could hardly stomach it. To pass the time we worked on developing a 3D chess board. It was more complicated than we could imagine but it did help use up the time living in the airport. Ernie was very gracious as I was terribly homesick to get back to see Elaine. He said the tickets are coming tomorrow, why don’t you fly home now and thanked me for waiting with him. I left on a flight that afternoon and Ernie stayed on by himself and flew out the next day. What a trooper!
Upon returning, Ernie and Janet got married in July 1973 and six months later Elaine and I got married in December. It was an honor for Ernie and I to be Best Men for each other. Thru the years we grew even closer and started our families. Our kids became like cousins and many nights involved sleep overs for everyone. We had a large group of friends and we often gathered on Thursday night to party. Everyone brought their kids and they slept on the floor till it was time to go home.
Our friendship never wavered and we loved every time we could get together and pick up right where we left off as if there was no time in between. To this day our families are very close and now all the extended grandchildren treat each other like cousins. What an honor it has been to share over 50 years with the Byl family. We all love and miss you Ernie, you are the finest of friends. The families will carry on together knowing that is exactly what you would have wanted! Love Wayne & Elaine Kinsella
