It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss, that we announce the passing of our much loved Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa, Ernie Colman on
February 17, 2011.
Predeceased in May 2009 by his loving wife Fran, Ernie is survived by 9 children: June Stevens (Dick), Phyllis Liscumb (Doug) , Dianne Barker (Ed), Spencer (MaryEllen), Marilyn Ewert (George), Donna Spelay (Ted), Kevin, Linda Bymoen (Murray), Murray (Renee); 18 grandchildren Becky Stevens (Dave Laing); Scott (Amanda) and Adam Barker , Kirk and Kim Colman; Jordan & Mike Ewert (Sidney Mitchell), Jenna Larson (Rob), Kristi, Ashleigh and Colman Spelay, Jessica and Travis Colman, Nathan, Mitchell and Josh Bymoen, Taylor and Tyson Colman; and 6 greatgrandchildren: Jaida, Levi, Ruben and Ezra Barker, and Connor & McKenna Laing.
Also survived by his sister Dorothy (Red) Wassick of Nelson, Fran’s brothers and sisters, Josephine & George Mathieu, Graham and Diana McMullin, Merv & Elma McMullin, many nieces and nephews and a world of friends.
Ernie was predeceased by his sisters Sybil Stephenson and Joyce Gardiner and by his younger brother Dennis.
Ernie was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 8, 1922 and moved with his family to Nelson as a young man. Following service as a navigator in WW II, Ernie obtained a Bachelor of Physical Education from UBC. He married Fran in 1947 and began his teaching career in Salmo. In 1955 the family moved to Riondel where Ernie was principal of JA Cochran School until 1966. For 16 years, Ernie was Director of Instruction of the North Thompson School District. He formally retired from his education profession in l982 and began his next career as a volunteer in the sports community in Kamloops. Dad’s volunteer service spanned over 25 years and included positions as President of the
Kamloops & District Ladies’ Softball Association, President of the Kamloops Track & Field Club, President of the Kamloops Golf Club and the Kamloops Curling Club Seniors’ League; and as a member of the Kamloops Sports Council. Ernie was recognized by the Kamloops Sports Council as Sports Person of the Year in 1986 and during the 1988 Olympic Torch relay was acknowledged as a consummate community sports volunteer. In 1993 Ernie was honored and humbled to be inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder. That same year he received a City of Kamloops Centennial medal for volunteerism. He received a Life Membership in the Kamloops Seniors’ Curling League in 2001. The ‘organization’ of sports brought great satisfaction to Dad and resulted in a huge network of friends for Dad and Mom through these volunteer activities.
Ernie persevered through 46 years of heart disease. For many years he volunteered with the Heart and Stroke Foundation organizing their curl-a-thon fundraising bonspiel. Ernie continued to golf and curl until 2 years ago when he began the battle with Alzheimers disease. We are comforted to know that he is now free from that debilitating illness.
He will forever be remembered by his family as a loving, caring Dad who was always there when you needed him and who displayed an incredible willingness to help others and to persevere against the health issues that challenged him.
Ernie will be remembered by his many friends for the warmth with which he and Fran welcomed people into their home and into their lives.
A celebration of Ernie’s life will be held on Friday, February 25, 2011 at 1PM in the Sahara Room at Desert Gardens, 540 Seymour Street, Kamloops.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC and Yukon Heart & Stoke Association or your charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
Condolences may be expressed at www.schoenings.com