Eric was born in Suffolk, England on April 21, 1930. He passed away in Victoria, BC on November 1, 2012. He was sent to Canada in 1938, where he attended Fairbridge Farm School in Duncan, BC. At age 16, he worked on a rabbit farm and then was employed by CPR Steamships Co. He worked as a steward on the Victoria – Vancouver route in 1947. After working his way to New Zealand, he jumped ship the day the boat left New Zealand for return to England in March 1949. He owned and operated a barber shop in Huntly, North Islands. He left New Zealand for Canada in 1953. Eric worked for National Motors selling Fords and in 1957 opened Ensign Motors. He became a Chrysler dealer with Peter Dixon and sold out to Dixon in 1967. He bought nine acres at Mount Newton Cross Road and Patricia Bay Highway. He built Big Louie’s Drive In and opened it in 1968. The business was rebuilt into Voyager Restaurant in 1972 and rebuilt again in 1978 to the Waddling Dog Inn. The business was sold in 1991. Eric married Doris Lewis (nee Elander) in 1954. They had six children, Tony, Cindy (Ron), Michelle, Michael (Barb), Douglas and Gregory (Marissa). The marriage ended in divorce in 1989. Eric married Audrey Lewis (nee Duncan) in 1992, gaining a second family of five children, Susan, Julie, Heather (Darren), John and Bob (Patti). Many grandchildren and extended family and friends. Eric was President of the Union Club from 1992 to 1994. Eric’s family would like to thank the emergency staff and palliative care staff at Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their excellent care given during his final days.
A Funeral Service will be held in McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Friday, November 9, 2012 at 3:00 pm with a reception to follow in McCall’s Family Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, 2166 Mount Newton Cross Road, Saanichton, BC V8M 2B2 or charity of choice. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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C. Eshom
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Doug Anderson I’m a little behind the times but I’m sorry to hear.
Loved his mustache, and he was never short of an opinion.
Good on him… Rest Well.
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John Vallis Sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. I respect his hard work and accomplishments in his life and times. It was always good to see him and get calls at the house when calling for my parents ‘Is this the boy?” I worked with him through the years (Union Club) in later years for his (Fairbridge School) reunion.
Eric’s life story shows that you can overcome challenges.
You’ll be missed,
JV
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Dave Trerice I am so sorry to hear that Eric has passed . He was such an influence on me giving me my first job in the kitchen and then allowing be to work in every department including the new hotel. His work ethic and devotion to his dreams will be with me forever and for that I will be eternially grateful that he gave me a chance. I will miss him.
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Roddy Mackay ( Fairbridge School Mate) Through the tough and the good times we stayed friends to the end. I won’t miss our political dissagreements but I will miss his daily jokes in my computer inbox. Beneath his tough exterior there was a kind and caring man particularly when it came to animals and former schoolmates who had not fared so well in life.Thankfully those last painful years are over for both you and your caring wife, Bunny.Be at peace my friend we will finish that “Eye Spy Game” in the not too distant future.
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Sven and Inge Maegaard We are so sorry to hear of Eric`s passing.our memories of Eric go back to the Voyager Restaurant and The Waddling Dog
our Sympathy and love go out to Eric’s Family
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Sandi-Jo Ayers My deepest sympathy for Michelle, Doris and all family members and friends of Eric. May God give you all strength in this difficult time.
Blessings,
Sandi-Jo Ayers (Halstenson)
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Brian Harrison So sad to hear of Eric’s passing. Visits to help with Eric’s computers were always enjoyable. We never said it out loud but we both enjoyed those brief times. Eric will be very missed, he taught so much in such a short time. His character will always be with me, and my thoughts are with the family and of course his faithful 4 legged friend Trippy, who also loved a visitor and a pet.
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Ian Buckingham So sad to hear of Eric’s passing. “A mighty Oak has Fallen!”
He was such a strong character who made our lives most interesting. He will be sorely missed!
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Teri DuTemple So sorry to hear of the passing of Eric. I have some very happy memories of the days that Eric was my dads (Ron DuTemple)best freind, as well as the years that I worked for him at the Waddling Dog. My thoughts are with the family, and I hope you might all find comfort in warm memories.
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Percy and Carol Lazarz We are sorry to hear of the passing of Eric.
Our memories of him, go back to the days of Big Louie’s Drive-InOur sympathy goes out to all of Eric’s family.
Percy and Carol Lazarz
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Marilyn Erickson What a legacy your Dad has left both in Sidney and Victoria! My thoughts are with Michelle, Cindy and Greg and the rest of your family as you gather to celebrate his rich and incredible life. Our dads were entrepreneurial pioneers. Men who overcame the Depression and many other challenges to become self-made and successful business owners. I know you will miss him enormously but there’s so much left to show that he was here!
Had a pleasant experience of selling Eric’s Brentwood Bay home about 1990, perhaps following his divorce. He signed the interim agreement while we were seated on stools at the bar.
Oddly, no one has mentioned just who was the ‘waddling dog!’ He was a delightfully soulful, typical basset hound! A genuine feature of Eric’s pub, I remember him well.