Obituary for Ernest "Ernie" Page
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ernie Page on April 26, 2022, at age 87. Ernie was an exceptional husband and father – so kind, caring and fun loving. He was such a joy to be with. His family always came first. Ernie's zest for life was contagious. He loved people, doing magic tricks for little kids, playing the harmonica or guitar, whistling, singing, arranging treasure hunts, story telling, woodworking, designing, building, gardening, renovating – the list goes on. Ernie's love and kindness for every living thing was a rarity and a beautiful thing to see. Ernie will be so sadly missed and will forever be in the hearts of his wife Vera - his children Steve, Karen and Mike – his grandchildren John, Jessa, Zach, Jon ,Eric, Whitney, Jordan and Taylor – his great grandchildren Niah, Alexsa, Quinn, Kallie, Ella, Thorin and Ruby – and all his nieces and nephews.
Ernie and Vera's deep love for each other was obvious in everything they did.
Ernie was born and raised in Toronto where in 1951 he met the love of his life, Vera. They married in 1954 and had 3 beautiful children. They moved to Peterborough, where Ernie got a job with Prudential Insurance and, at the age of 23, won a trip to New York for being top salesman. This was the start of a wonderful life in Perterborough with his precious family. Ernie was in sales most of his life. He worked for Ontario Hydro, Bell Canada, Consumers Gas, Superior Propane. Ernie was area sales manager for Consumers Gas and had an office in Whitby which he commuted to and from every day. When Ernie was offered another promotion, which would mean moving to Toronto, he declined because he wanted to raise his family in a smaller town – Peterborough. Best decision ever!
Ernie was an entrepreneur and tried many things. There was never a dull moment with Ernie. He tried to raise Aberdeen Angus cattle and also cow minded a herd of Charolais that on occasion would stare at the family through the kitchen window. Ernie wanted to grow vegetables in the winter so he built a greenhouse. He tried to raise a special type of fishing worm that did not have to be refrigerated, which made Vera very happy. Ernie also got into the real estate market and advertising business. He and a friend, Bill, envisioned, built, and sold Heritage Pine Village, which, today, is the home of Grocery Outlet on Hwy 7. Ernie owned and operated a wonderful Safety Supply business which included a propane service centre in front of the store. When Vera retired and expressed interest in trying a Bed and Breakfast Ernie renovated their home to accommodate this. The list goes on...
Ernie excelled in just about every sport he tried: football, tennis, swimming, golf, darts, ping pong, horseshoes etc. Young Ernie was a backstroke swimming champion in Toronto. He was asked to try out for the Toronto Argos but he wrecked his knee and couldn't. Ernie especially liked basketball and played on two leagues until the age of 75 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Ernie loved working with wood. Give him a piece of wood and he would make something useful and beautiful out of it. Ernie designed and built hundreds of items, some to sell but mostly unique wooden items for his family and many friends: toy boxes, funny trophies, child sized tuffets, benches, coffee tables, framed mirrors, lawn ornaments, rocking horses, a hutch, bookcases, treasure chests, personalized walking sticks, etc. He also renovated the inside of the whole house and on the outside he built a verandah, a front porch and side deck. Ernie also renovated the whole cottage and built 2 large decks that blended in beautifully along the rocky shore.
Last but not least, Ernie loved music and had a phenomenal singing voice and his whistling skill was remarkable. Ernie whistled all the time as did his father before him. Through Ernie's 13 year battle with Alzheimer's disease he was able to hold on to his love of music. Ernie was at Lakefield Extendicare for four years. The wonderful staff made sure Ernie was always surrounded by music and it was through their excellent care and Vera's loving daily visits that Ernie was as comfortable and contented as he could possibly be.
A huge thank you to the kind and caring staff at Lakefield Extendicare. You are awesome and we are forever grateful.
At a later date there will be a private family gathering to celebrate Ernie's amazing life. If you wish, a donation to the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated.
Ernie and Vera's deep love for each other was obvious in everything they did.
Ernie was born and raised in Toronto where in 1951 he met the love of his life, Vera. They married in 1954 and had 3 beautiful children. They moved to Peterborough, where Ernie got a job with Prudential Insurance and, at the age of 23, won a trip to New York for being top salesman. This was the start of a wonderful life in Perterborough with his precious family. Ernie was in sales most of his life. He worked for Ontario Hydro, Bell Canada, Consumers Gas, Superior Propane. Ernie was area sales manager for Consumers Gas and had an office in Whitby which he commuted to and from every day. When Ernie was offered another promotion, which would mean moving to Toronto, he declined because he wanted to raise his family in a smaller town – Peterborough. Best decision ever!
Ernie was an entrepreneur and tried many things. There was never a dull moment with Ernie. He tried to raise Aberdeen Angus cattle and also cow minded a herd of Charolais that on occasion would stare at the family through the kitchen window. Ernie wanted to grow vegetables in the winter so he built a greenhouse. He tried to raise a special type of fishing worm that did not have to be refrigerated, which made Vera very happy. Ernie also got into the real estate market and advertising business. He and a friend, Bill, envisioned, built, and sold Heritage Pine Village, which, today, is the home of Grocery Outlet on Hwy 7. Ernie owned and operated a wonderful Safety Supply business which included a propane service centre in front of the store. When Vera retired and expressed interest in trying a Bed and Breakfast Ernie renovated their home to accommodate this. The list goes on...
Ernie excelled in just about every sport he tried: football, tennis, swimming, golf, darts, ping pong, horseshoes etc. Young Ernie was a backstroke swimming champion in Toronto. He was asked to try out for the Toronto Argos but he wrecked his knee and couldn't. Ernie especially liked basketball and played on two leagues until the age of 75 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Ernie loved working with wood. Give him a piece of wood and he would make something useful and beautiful out of it. Ernie designed and built hundreds of items, some to sell but mostly unique wooden items for his family and many friends: toy boxes, funny trophies, child sized tuffets, benches, coffee tables, framed mirrors, lawn ornaments, rocking horses, a hutch, bookcases, treasure chests, personalized walking sticks, etc. He also renovated the inside of the whole house and on the outside he built a verandah, a front porch and side deck. Ernie also renovated the whole cottage and built 2 large decks that blended in beautifully along the rocky shore.
Last but not least, Ernie loved music and had a phenomenal singing voice and his whistling skill was remarkable. Ernie whistled all the time as did his father before him. Through Ernie's 13 year battle with Alzheimer's disease he was able to hold on to his love of music. Ernie was at Lakefield Extendicare for four years. The wonderful staff made sure Ernie was always surrounded by music and it was through their excellent care and Vera's loving daily visits that Ernie was as comfortable and contented as he could possibly be.
A huge thank you to the kind and caring staff at Lakefield Extendicare. You are awesome and we are forever grateful.
At a later date there will be a private family gathering to celebrate Ernie's amazing life. If you wish, a donation to the Alzheimer's Society would be appreciated.