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The oldest of six children, Earl was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario.  He joined the army right out of high school, excelled at sharpshooting, was posted to Germany for a number of years, and achieved the rank of Captain. With an honorable discharge in hand, Earl went to university, graduating from the London School of Economics with a Masters of Philosophy in anthropology.  As part of his PhD research, he lived in Papua New Guinea for two years, at a time of distinct social and democratic change.

  Returning to Canada, Earl was a senior therapist at William Roper Hull Home, working with children and adolescents.  His experience with residents from Canada’s North, eventually led him to Yellowknife, where he continued his work with troubled youth and young offenders. He lived in Yellowknife for fifteen years, enjoying hunting and fishing in the North, before retiring to Nelson, BC.

  Earl was an intelligent, insightful, sensitive and complex man, who was well spoken, well read and easily conversant on topics from the minute to the universal. He was fundamentally rather shy, but good friends knew that he thought and felt deeply. He valued integrity and honesty, and lived his life accordingly. His strong will, strength and depth of character helped him face adversities along the road of life, but he was also aware that he, as with all of us, had very human frailties that prevented an entirely smooth and trouble-free journey.  Earl’s children, Dwayne, Megan, Christopher and McKenzie, will remember the good times they shared with their father, and will miss the balanced and thoughtful guidance he had provided. It is a certainty that he truly and deeply loved his children with an open and unflagging heart.

  At Earl’s request, a small family gathering of remembrance was held in Nelson.  In addition to his four children, Earl is survived by his grandchildren Laura, Scott, Sarah, Noah, Abby, Sonny and Tori, his great grandson Jase, sisters Bev, June, Linda, brothers Ron and Jim and his nieces and nephews.  

 

“Like a bird on a wire….I have tried in my way to be free.”  L. Cohen

Arrangements are under the direction of

Thompson Funeral Service ltd.

Online condolences may be expressed at

www.thompsonfs.ca



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