Obituary of Ernie Dooley

On Thursday, March 31, 2016 Ernest Edmund Dooley, age 77, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Ernie was born in Hartney, MB on July 9, 1938, the 7th of 8 children born to Joseph and Annie Dooley. He grew up in the Lauder district and attended Berry Hill School. In his late teens he worked in Lauder at Fedorowich's Garage where he learned mechanics and welding. In the fall of 1957 Ernie headed west to Alberta where he got a job operating heavy equipment on the road crew twinning Hwy 16 west of Edmonton. Ernie returned to Manitoba and in November of 1959 began his 35 year career in agricultural research at the Brandon Experimental Farm, later to become known as the Brandon Research Station. Ernie retired from the Station in 1994. Subsequent to that retirement, he held several part-time jobs, all involving driving, as that was something he loved to do. He transported CN & CP Rail crews throughout southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan, he drove the air shuttle to Winnipeg, the Riverheights Terrace bus, the 21st Century Handi-Cab van, as well as some Greyhound runs to Winnipeg. Ernie married Joyce Flanders in 1962, welcoming daughter Kimberley Dawn in 1968 and son Christopher Scott in 1971. Kim and Chris grew up spending their summers at Curran Park as camping was a favourite family activity. Ernie and Joyce coached Kim's softball teams and got Chris to his hockey games no matter how early in the morning. They also enjoyed 5-pin bowling and being a part of the Green Acres community. Over the years Ernie enjoyed many interests and activities including fastball, hunting, fishing, curling, golfing, bowling, gardening and yard work, feeding the birds, travelling and camping. In October of 1988 Ernie married Cheryl Kannokko and they enjoyed 28 years of life together. Most of those years were spent on Regent Crescent, in Brandon's west end, where for 14 years they shared their home with their beloved dog Sheba. In 2012 Ernie and Cheryl sold their house and opted for the condo lifestyle. Ernie was delighted and proud to welcome to the world his grandchildren Aaron in 1997 and Nicole in 2000. He and Cheryl took pleasure in attending the many activities and sporting events that the grandchildren were involved in as they grew up. Volunteering was a very important part of Ernie's life. He was involved with many events and organizations over the years, including the UCT, the Travellers' Day Parade, Riverview Curling Club, Public Service Alliance of Canada, St. John Ambulance, Seniors for Seniors, Citizens on Patrol and the Brandon Wheat Kings. He was a 37 year member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Left to cherish Ernie's memory are his wife Cheryl, daughter Kim (Frank Hyndman), son Chris (Heather Petruic), grandchildren Aaron and Nicole Hutlet, sisters Anne Laurent and Dot (Gord) Burgess, brother Joe (Jenny) and brother-in-law Frank Jezzard. Also mourning Ernie's passing are son-in-law Joe Hutlet as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. Ernie was predeceased by his parents Joe and Annie, sisters Mary Mossop, Mabel Wilson, Jean Jezzard and brother Jim. A celebration of Ernie's life was held at Central United Church on Friday, April 8, 2016 with Rev. Joe Ball officiating. Donations in memory of Ernie may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Ave. E., Brandon, MB R7A 2B3 or to a charity of choice. I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I shall not pass this way again.