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.
12 Responses
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.
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.