Obituary for Ernest Campbell Reid
Ernest Campbell Reid of Sidney BC died at Saanich Peninsula Hospital on January 14, 2023 with family at his side. Ernest was born in Falkirk, Scotland in on August 4th 1935.
He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Jessie (Campbell), only sibling Ross and wife Hearsey (Canning). Ernest is survived by his wife Nadia Greschuk, sons Ian (Heather Croke) and Paul (April), daughters Carol (Dennis Putt), Christine and Maureen (Jeff Pardy), nephew Ronald in Scotland, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Ernest immigrated to Newfoundland in 1962 after military service with the BAOR, stationed at Osnabruck and following British Merchant Marine service. He worked for the Ministry of Transportation as a Radio Operator on ice breakers and shore stations. Ernest retired after 31 years from Gander Flight Services. In 1965, while onboard the CCGS John A. Macdonald, Ernest radioed the ship’s position to the Halifax supervisor who gasped, “Holy smokes…he’s off the map!” The position was latitude 84.5 ° North, a record for this size of ship.
Ernest was influenced by his father’s Labour politics. He served as Gander local president and director of the Canadian Professional Radio Operators Union. In 1988 he represented the Union on the Federal Government Equal Pay Study in Ottawa. This is where he met Nadia and lifelong feminist friends.
Golf was in his veins from childhood. Ernest was proudly apprenticed to John Panton MBE (Ryder Cup). Wherever he played, his sweet drive was admired: Goose Bay, Gander, North Sydney, Ottawa and Gatineau. Ernest’s golf game was challenged when he joined the Saskatoon Golf & CC. He was proud to represent Sask. on the senior golf team to the 1997 Canadian National Championships in Truro NS. Ernest finished seventh in the individual championship.
Settled in Brentwood Bay, Ernest joined the Victoria Model Shipbuilding Club. He spent hours in his workshop turning out RC model ships. He was proudest of his scratch built 1:96 scale model HMCS Labrador (later the CCGS Labrador). Ernest sailed on her during icebreaking duties in Lake Melville and the Labrador coast. He continued shipbuilding after moving to Norgarden in Sidney.
Ernest requested no ceremony. Donations to Cancer research or animal welfare are welcomed.
He was predeceased by his parents Joe and Jessie (Campbell), only sibling Ross and wife Hearsey (Canning). Ernest is survived by his wife Nadia Greschuk, sons Ian (Heather Croke) and Paul (April), daughters Carol (Dennis Putt), Christine and Maureen (Jeff Pardy), nephew Ronald in Scotland, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Ernest immigrated to Newfoundland in 1962 after military service with the BAOR, stationed at Osnabruck and following British Merchant Marine service. He worked for the Ministry of Transportation as a Radio Operator on ice breakers and shore stations. Ernest retired after 31 years from Gander Flight Services. In 1965, while onboard the CCGS John A. Macdonald, Ernest radioed the ship’s position to the Halifax supervisor who gasped, “Holy smokes…he’s off the map!” The position was latitude 84.5 ° North, a record for this size of ship.
Ernest was influenced by his father’s Labour politics. He served as Gander local president and director of the Canadian Professional Radio Operators Union. In 1988 he represented the Union on the Federal Government Equal Pay Study in Ottawa. This is where he met Nadia and lifelong feminist friends.
Golf was in his veins from childhood. Ernest was proudly apprenticed to John Panton MBE (Ryder Cup). Wherever he played, his sweet drive was admired: Goose Bay, Gander, North Sydney, Ottawa and Gatineau. Ernest’s golf game was challenged when he joined the Saskatoon Golf & CC. He was proud to represent Sask. on the senior golf team to the 1997 Canadian National Championships in Truro NS. Ernest finished seventh in the individual championship.
Settled in Brentwood Bay, Ernest joined the Victoria Model Shipbuilding Club. He spent hours in his workshop turning out RC model ships. He was proudest of his scratch built 1:96 scale model HMCS Labrador (later the CCGS Labrador). Ernest sailed on her during icebreaking duties in Lake Melville and the Labrador coast. He continued shipbuilding after moving to Norgarden in Sidney.
Ernest requested no ceremony. Donations to Cancer research or animal welfare are welcomed.