Ernest Stafford

A sixty-six year love story came to an end on December 13th with the peaceful passing of Ernest Stafford. Ernie leaves his one true love, Betty, not only to mourn his loss but also to celebrate his life and love. Other family members left behind include his children Colin (Judy), Ellenor (Phil), Richard (Krista) and Barbara, son-in law Ray; his grandchildren Evan (Kassandra), Brys, Matthew, Michael, Scott, Andrew (Tori), Kate (Kevin), Emily, Megan, Sydney and Madeleine; and his great grandchildren Jaiden and Emrys.

Ernie was born in Derby, England, on August 4th, 1921 as the youngest child of eight of Alfred and Jane Stafford. As a boy he loved to bicycle around Derby County and was a member of the local boys brigade. He served his country faithfully in the Royal Navy during World War II aboard HMS Liverpool, Nene, New Waterford, Alersford and Waskesiw and was involved not only in the evacuation of the soldiers at Dieppe but for years during convoy duty in the North Atlantic. It was during a shore leave in Londonderry that he met a beautiful Wren, Betty McFetridge, and swept her off her feet. They were married in Coleraine, Northern Ireland on May 25th, 1945 and after the war ended, when he was “demobbed”, they started their married life together in Coleraine. After son Colin and daughters Elane and Ellenor were born, Ernie left for California to find work as a grocer and soon brought his family to join him in Alhambra where they added Richard and Barbara to complete the family. After seven years in California he moved his family away from the smog to the clean air of Vancouver Island, eventually settling in Duncan where he and Betty resided until his passing. Ernie was a grocer in Duncan until he joined Crofton Pulp & Paper where he worked as the programmer in the shipping department until his retirement in 1985. Ernie was an honorary life member of the AOTS men’s club and served a term as its National President.

Ernie loved his family first but his garden was a close second. He loved raising chrysanthemums, and roses and starting his seedlings for his garden in the greenhouse. He enjoyed feeding and watching the birds in the yard, identifying each with his bird book that he kept close at hand. Ernie was an avid bowler at the Duncan Lanes in the Monday 55+ Club 5-Pin League. He and Betty also loved travelling in retirement making many trips back to England and Ireland to visit relatives and friends left behind.

A special smile, a special face

And in our hearts, a special place

No words we speak can ever say

How much we miss you every day

To hear your voice and see you smile

To sit and talk with you awhile

To be together in the same old way

Would be the greatest wish or ours today

There will always be this heartache

And a thousand silent tears

We shall cherish these precious memories

Of the days when you were here.

Ernie will be forever loved by his family and all those who knew him. In lieu of flowers donations in his name can be made to the B.C. Heart & Stroke Fund.

A celebration of Ernie’s life will be held at the First Memorial Chapel, 375 Brae Rd., Duncan on Thursday, December 22nd at 2:00 PM.

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Duncan, BC.