Ernst Neuretter

Born in between both World Wars, in Austria, Ernest was known to friends and family as Ernie. He is predeceased by his wife of 60+ years Jackie Neuretter, mother and father Ernst and Johanna Neuretter , brother John Borovica, as well as his son-in-law Mark Spence. He is survived by his sister Georgine Borovica, daughter Johanna [Richard] Spence, daughter-in-law Joely (Gio) Selva, granddaughters Christina (Jim) Proteau, Vanessa (Eric) Gagnon, Jaimey Richmond and Angela Spence, along with great grandchildren Aria and Jameson.

Coming from a modest childhood in Austria, and travelling in a post World War II era, Ernie travelled at the age of 20 to Canada with virtually nothing to his name, and made a new start to his life. He worked as a welder initially for Steelco in Hamilton, Ontario. He met Jackie while out at the German Club one evening while he was there for dinner. They were married on November 7, 1960. They had Johanna in 1962 and together with her, they travelled West out to Port Alberni. Ernie came out first for a job with Macmillan Bloedel and Jackie followed with Johanna on the train through the Canadian Rockies. Both Ernie and Jackie worked for the Pulp and Paper mill until retirement.

Through Ernie’s working life and through retirement, he enjoyed a great deal of travel with Jackie, Johanna and eventually his oldest granddaughters Christina and Vanessa. Honolulu, Hawaii, figured prominently as the main destination, where they travelled to yearly several times. Ernie also loved to fish and hunt, although like many anglers and hunters, the catch was usually quite imaginative. Ernie’s latter years were spent digging in the garden, or the garden of other family members [without their consent usually], or having coffee and talking about world events or bending whomever’s ear he could find about his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be missed dearly by those who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Alberni Valley Golf Club, 6449 Cherry Creek Road, Port Alberni, BC. Stories and condolences may be left for the family at www.chapelofmemories.ca Donations in lieu of flowers should be made to the Alberni Continuing Care Society, 4411 Wallace Street, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 7Y5. Thank you Dr. Nell, Dr. Ferguson, and to the nursing staff at Echo Village and WCGH