Eric’s Obituary
Passed peacefully away at the Lewisporte Health Centre, on April 4, 2020, Mr. Eric Colbourne of Lewisporte, aged 87 years. He is predeceased by parents, Ralph & Gertie Colbourne; his parents-in-law, George & Gwen Raike; sister-in-law, Murial Halfyard, and brother-in-law, Terry Raike. He leaves to mourn with many cherished memories, his wife Betty of 58 years, who was the love of his life; his sons Gary (Coreen) of Lewisporte and Dave (Becky) of Miramichi, New Brunswick; his grandchildren, Riley, Alexander, William, Jordan and Tim Harnett, who he adored; His brother, Harry (Daisy) and sister, Joan (Lloyd) Russell; His brothers-in-law, Clyde (Maxine) Raike, Otto (Claudine) Raike, Bert (Linda) Raike, Tony (Margaret) Raike, Danny (Eulah) Raike, Doug Halfyard; sisters-in-law, Marjorie (Bill) Young, Joan Goosney (Cecil Martin), Daisy Raike, Joy Raike; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives, and a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Daffodil Place in St. John’s will be gratefully accepted. DONATE HERE
In light of the current coronavirus pandemic, there will be no public visitation or Funeral Service. All services will remain private for immediate family only.
Restrictions placed on travel, due to the coronavirus pandemic has kept Eric’s son, Dave and his family from being with the rest of the family, so Dave wanted to share a little about his father. And that the Family wanted to share with Eric’s many family, other relatives and friends that could not be with us either.
“Today we say good-bye to my dad, Eric. Dad’s last couple years were difficult to watch, especially from afar, while dad went from “No way he’s in his eighties” to hearing the words “palliative care” and knowing what that really meant.
Memories of Dad have flashed through my head these last few weeks and most especially these last few days. It’s the happiness that I keep trying to focus on as we move onto this next stage of our lives.
What can be said about Dad that we didn’t already know. Dad had many great characteristics that made it so easy to love and be around him. This was evident, not through his words, but through is actions in everyday life from his love for mom through58 years of marriage , his compassion for others and always being there to provide whatever it was that someone needed, all without being asked or expecting anything in return, to his support and patience for me and my brother Gary, (we were teenage boys
after all).
Speaking of patience, I remember a time, I couldn’t have been more than 10 years old, dad had the car, a big gold Chrysler, painted. We get the car back, and little Davey, in all his wisdom, decided to use half a wooden clothes pin as a race car and race it all around the newly painted car. Now, most dads would lose it seeing a scratch completely around the car….but not dad.
Dad and Mom spent nearly every single day together over those 58 years of marriage. They put a good many mile on our vans, cars, ski-doos and on their feet fishing, hunting and visiting family and friends. I wonder how many times we went fishing at Twin Ponds over the years. Surely dad must have shown me a hundred times how to best tie the bobber on my line…not sure if I ever did get it right.
If Dad and Mom weren’t fishing or hunting or going for a drive, they were sitting at the table with good friends, like Lloyd and Joyce or Jack and Doreen, playing crib, 500s, 120s or some other card game enjoying laughs and a few drinks. I don’t remember who it was, but probably Lloyd, always smacking his ring on the table when slamming down his cards.
Growing up we lived next door to nan and pop Colbourne. Dad was always there to help them with anything. I see a lot of Dad in my brother, Gary, whose family now live in nan and pop’s house, as he does the same for Dad and Mom.
One thing Dad made sure of was that you never went hungry in our house. You wouldn’t have your plate cleaned and he was asking…”want some more pork, potatoes, carrots…” When dad was still the milkman and on one of her first visits to Newfoundland, my wife, Becky, always remembers dad asking her if she liked yogurt to which she said “yes”. The next morning when Becky went to the fridge, she noticed the newly added yogurt… dad made sure there was more than enough for her when she got up.
Even Dad’s customers on the milk run never had to worry. When dad retired from the milk run, the local paper in Bay D’Espoir did an article on him. His customers had wonderful things to say about him. One woman talked about how she didn’t always have enough money each week for all her family needs but knew she would always have milk and juice for her kids…Dad never denied anyone.
Dad was always proud of Gary and me and that pride grew even more when his grandkids came along. First Tim, then Riley, Alex and William and finally his only granddaughter Jordan. With all these boys, I don’t think Dad knew what to do when I threw a girl into the mix.
Today, as we say good-bye, I ask everyone to reflect on how Dad impacted your life and what he meant to each of you.
Dad’s unconditional love, patience and compassion are just a few reasons he will be missed by family and friends alike…always loved and never forgotten.
Love and miss you so much Dad…until I see you again.”
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Eric Ford Colbourne November 02 1932 April 04 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Lewisporte, Province: T-N