Eric Robert Helbren

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather, Eric Helbren, at Selkirk Hospital, on February 20th, 2023, after a long, hard fought battle with oral cancer.

Eric leaves to mourn his passing, his loving and devoted wife of 32 years Cathy, son Jeff (Claire), son Robert (Sherry), daughter Jennifer (Scott), his amazing grandchildren Sarah (Matt), Braedan (Nienke), Cody, Paisley, Jack and Olivia, plus his wonderful great grandchildren Aria, Amelia, Jameson and Jonah. He also leaves to mourn his brothers and sisters Geri (Ian), Reg (Diana), Claudette (Lloyd), Joan (Billy), Janice, Eileen, Marc (Denise) and Greg (Kathy), along with numerous nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces as well as his brother in-law Doug (Jackie). Eric was predeceased by his parents Cyril and Justine, his sisters Heather and Bernice, brothers’ in-law Grant (Eileen), Grant (Janice) and Dave (Bernice).

Eric was born in Winnipeg on June 13th, 1954 where he resided for most of his life, until he moved to Anola in 1998 and then to St. Andrews in 2008, where he enjoyed his early retirement at age 55. He worked 37 years at CNR as a car mechanic, first at Transcona Shops and ended his career on the road repair truck out of Symington Yards. During his lengthy career with CN, Eric met a great number of friends over the years, and had kept in touch with most of them after retirement.

Between them, Eric and Cathy raised three children and they have been blessed by being made grandparents and now great grandparents. These new generations were his pride and joy! He loved and was extremely proud of each and every one of them. They brought him immense joy always.

Eric was very mechanically inclined and would spend hours out in his shop taking things apart and repairing them or rebuilding. He loved to work with his hands and taught all the kids and even some of their friends how to fix things or how something worked. He worked hard every day and that in its self was a lesson for not just his children, but their friends and new members who joined the family as years passed.

Eric enjoyed virtually all sports as a child and as an adult continued his love of hockey, which he played as often as he could and coaching his son Jeff’s hockey team as well. He cherished those times very much. He loved playing golf and enjoyed playing with his buddies all summer long, or traveling to Melville for the yearly tournaments with his friends. Eric was a huge motorcycle fan and could take apart his prize-winning chopper and reassemble it without assistance from any manual. He often told that story (and a score of others) around the campfires at Morden’s Meadows over the 13 years of camping there. He was a great storyteller and loved to share the escapades of his travels over the years and there was always a good laugh involved.

Eric lived a very full life, chocked full of adventures, travel, sports and family. With Eric, family was everything and his life revolved around his love of family and friends and exploring new, exhilarating experiences. Every person he came in contact with found him to be very personable, loyal, funny, hardworking, caring and dedicated. He had many friends who were part of his life for over 60 years.

Cathy and the family would like to thank Dr. Rob Ramsay DDS and Cancer Care professionals - Dr. Nason, Dr. Pathak and Dr. Cooke for their dedication to Eric’s care over the past several years, also to the emergency doctors and staff at Selkirk Hospital for their assistance as well. We can’t thank our dear friend Jenny Billey enough for her tireless help and guidance through this journey, and for her endless friendship to us all. It was your knowledge Jen, and love and devotion for Eric and I that helped to get us through the tough times, and your friendship over the past 46 years or more has meant the world to us both. Thank you also to Doug Martin for being there for both Eric and Cathy every chance you had. We appreciate everything you did and continue to do.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations to Cancer Care Manitoba be made in Eric’s honour.

Cremation has taken place through Thompson in the Park. There will be no service as per Eric’s request.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.thomsoninthepark.com for the Helbren family.