Ernest, "Ernie" Mike Shemko

He was the eighth of nine children, born at home on the family farm north of Willingdon and Desjarlais, Alberta to Sanda and Mike Shymko. Dad grew up on the farm and attended the Desjarlais and Willingdon schools. After high school, he moved to Edmonton finding employment with CP Rail. There he met his wife Shirley and was able to spend 45 years with her.

With their first four children, the couple moved to Pincher Creek and soon added two more to their growing family. In Pincher Creek, Dad worked as a Shift Supervisor at BA Oil Company. During that time Ernie served as a Captain in the Fort MacLeod Artillery Reserves and was a Legion member (Pincher Creek Branch 43). In 1976 Ernie and Shirley moved to Grand Centre where Dad worked as a Project Manager with Gulf Oil starting their heavy oil injection plant. While in Grand Centre he served on the town council. In 1979 the couple moved to Calgary, where Ernie continued to work with Gulf Oil until his retirement in 1989.

In retirement, mom and dad were Snowbirds; they set up in Mesa, Arizona making many lifelong friends there. After Shirley’s passing, Ernie met Doris, and she became his companion until she also passed. Dad quite enjoyed Doris’s baking and together they loved to dance and play bridge.

Dad enjoyed life to its fullest; he was kind, loving, and willing to help in any situation. He enjoyed gardening and was a farmer at heart. He carefully nurtured his fruit trees and especially enjoyed his Evan’s cherries, gooseberries, raspberries, and red currants. He was also a handyman able to fix just about anything. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were very dear to him. He was so proud of each of his twelve grandchildren and over the last 20 years, also able to enjoy the love of his twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Dad was predeceased by his parents and siblings, his son Ricky (1969), Shirley (1996), and Doris (2011). Left to mourn his passing are his children: Robert (Iris), Randall (Marianne), Ramona (Tom), Rita (Alberto), and Rodger; nieces; nephews; neighbours; and friends.

A Memorial Service for Dad will be held at Northminster/St. David’s United Church, 3303 Capitol Hill Crescent NW, Calgary, AB, on January 7th, 2025, at 2:00PM with reception to follow.

If you are unable to attend, there will be a livestream of the Service available via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/08haOAi0BHY?si=qgAb0iscUlWqCrer

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Universal Rehabilitation Service Agency through their website: www.ursa-rehab.com/about/donate.