Obituary Overview
Ervin Hugh Hilliard
Ervin Hugh Hilliard, 83, of Edmonton (Tofield), Alberta, passed away on Tuesday, July 17, 2018, surrounded by his loving wife Emily and family.
Erv was born January 21, 1935, in Flin Flon, Manitoba, to Henry and Elsie (Larson) Hilliard. He graduated from Hapnot Collegiate, in 1953. On August 3, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Emily (Bogash), in Flin Flon.
Upon graduating high school, Erv began his career at Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting, in Flin Flon. He entered the Stationary Engineering program, and achieved the highest level of First Class, in 1969. Erv focused on the program, all while raising a family of four. His dedication paid off in 1973, when he was promoted to Superintendent of the Powerhouse. This came with incredible responsibility, but also much respect, from all who worked with him. Through his dedication and many years of service, Erv was able to retire from HBMS at 53. He remained at HBMS as a consultant for another five years, at which time he decided he was not done working. He looked for a facility that would have less dependence on him, so he could focus more on his wife and ever-growing family. He moved to Altona, Manitoba, where he worked for CanAmera Foods at their Canola processing plant for another 17 years. During this time, the family cabin was maintained at Denare Beach, Saskatchewan, where Erv spent his time fishing, boating, waterskiing, golfing, and otherwise enjoying the long summers with his family. During winters, Erv and Emily split their time between Altona, Barbados, Hawaii, Jamaica, and Mexico. He retired, once again, from CanAmera in 2010, at the age of 75. CanAmera begged him to stay, but after 57 years it was time to hang up his hard hat.
Erv decided to move closer to his family located in BC and Alberta and took up residency in Tofield, Alberta. This still gave him and Emily the small town feel that they loved yet was close to his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Erv’s final move was to a retirement condo in Edmonton, where he and the Little One felt safe and happy.
Erv is survived by his loving wife of 62 beautiful years, Emily; his four children, Cheryl (Choochie), Wanda (Windy), Paul (Paulywog) and Karen (FogHorn), sons-in-law and daughter-in-law, Curtis Romaniuk (Cheryl), Fred Gruenheidt (Wanda), Lucille Kowalchuk (Paul) and Gord Poschwatta (Karen); six grandchildren, Tara Langhans (Graeme), Theresa Fryer (Mike), Jennifer Langhans, Lyndsey Sibulak (Jason), James Gruenheidt (CJ), and Lisa Romaniuk; six (seven in January) great-grandchildren Riley, Jaxon, Kayla, Evelyn, Elizabeth and Abigail; sister Mavis, brother-in-law Allan (Shirley), brother-in-law Dennis, and many nieces and nephews. Erv was predeceased by his mother and father, Elsie and Henry, mother- and father-in-law, Nellie and Alex, sister Darlene, sister-in-law Gaye, and brothers-in-law Frank, Jack, and Bill.
Erv will be dearly missed by his loving family and many friends. Services will be held at 1400 on Friday, July 27, 2018, at Evergreen Funeral Home, located 16204 Fort Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta. Memorial donations may be made for Parkinson Support at www.parkinson.ca/ or other Parkinson-related programs.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Ervin Hugh Hilliard 2018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta
