“Absent in body, present with the Lord.” It is with deep sadness that our family announces the peaceful passing of Ernest Jackson Dalzell. Ernie was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba to Ernest Wilburforce Dalzell and Ada Beatrice (nee Stokes) and passed away at the age of 94 at Hospice in Victoria, B.C. Predeceased by his parents and his step-mother, Eleanor (Hosford) Dalzell, and siblings Irene, Reg, Audrey, Fern, and Winnie. He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Marjorie (nee Nottingham), 3 children, Linda (Gerry), Les (Emma) and Yvonne, 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, Charlene & Jack Robinson, Jason Maxwell (Andrew), Wendy Dalzell & David Eppich, Andrew& Valerie Dalzell (Jackson, William, Tyson, Rhys), Julia & Daniel Snell (Charlotte, Henry), Lana Archer & Greg Melnechuk, Mindy & Sean Rathburn (Grace, Olivia). Shane & Rachel Archer (Emily) Paul Archer, Chelsea & Kunal Ghose (Tobin), sister-in-law Phyllis Clark and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Though known for his shyness as a youth, at the age of nineteen, at a dance at Victoria’s Crystal Gardens, he spotted a girl, danced with her the rest of the evening, and walked her home. A year later, he and “his Marjorie” were married. Ernie had a 30-year military career with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a radar fighter control operator and attained the rank of Captain. His job took him and his family from coast to coast, being stationed in Holberg and Vancouver, B.C.; St. Margarets, New Brunswick; Cranberry Portage, MB. St. Hubert, Quebec; Foymount and North Bay. Ontario; and Tacoma, Washington. After retirement, he worked with the Parks Department and for a summer was a park ranger. He then had a 10-year career with the Department of Education before retiring a second time. In his later years he did seasonal work for H&R Block.
Ernie was a man of integrity, loyalty and high moral standards. He enjoyed being in the company of those he loved and was known for joking around. He would never say no to one more cookie, preferably with ice cream, or to bounce the latest family addition on his knee. He set a wonderful example of devotion to family and we all loved and admired him for his playfulness, generosity, kindness, encouragement, and over 40 years of reading ‘The Night Before Christmas’ to the little and not so little ones every Dec 24. We cherish the sincere interest he showed to his grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s pursuits, accomplishments, celebrations and sorrows and modelling so well, how to be a gentleman. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and modeled how to stay true to our core values. He has left us a legacy of love.
Even as his health deteriorated, he never complained, was forever thankful and always showed appreciation for visits from family. At the end of the visit he would say, “Thank you for coming.” To him we say, “Thank you for being there.”
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
13 Responses
This afternoon I keyed in on my computer the name Ernest Dalzell. I was sorry to find that Ernie has passed away a couple of months ago. I knew Ernie when he was stationed in Cranberry Portage, Manitoba in the late 1950’s. I was a civilian employee at the station and Ernie was a Flight Lieutenant in the RCAF.
I remember Ernie as the fine gentleman and a pleasure to be with.
My sincerest condolences to Ernie’s entire family. Even though I never personally met him, Ernie and I conversed infrequently via e-mail regarding our common interest and research in our Dalzell family genealogy heritage. His father and my great-grandfather, Royal Dalzell, were brothers. It was his tenacity and passion for research which has inspired me to carry on his work that he shared with me and my family back in the early 2000s. He was always so generous with his time in messaging me and a very sincere person. It was an honor and a privilege to converse with him, and I am grateful for all the help he was to me in working through roadblocks in our similar genealogy research. I wish I could have shared more info that I’ve discovered with him, but hopefully we will one day in Heaven. God bless his family!
Sincerest regards,
Nate Dalzell
1st cousin 2x removed
Dear, dear Auntie Marj and Family –
I have only wonderful memories of Uncle Ernie. I remember how proudly he spoke of his family. The love he shared with you was evident to all. He always had that twinkle in his eye! Greg and I both remember starting off our honeymoon with a visit with the two of you at your home. You were so hospitable. Please know that you are all being thought of and kept close to our hearts.
Love and hugs to you,
Debra & Greg Batt (Bergvinson; Irene’s granddaughter, Jon and Leslie’s daughter)