Ernest Spyrka

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Ernie Spyrka announce his passing on February 3, 2021, at the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, after a brief illness (not related to COVID). Dad would have been 91 years young on February 8th, and he often said that he’d try to hold on till 100. (You tried Dad, just a few years shy!)

Dad was born in 1930 to Michael and Rose Spyrka (both predeceased) in The Pas, Manitoba. He spent his youth in Beardmore and it was here that he and Margaret (Whitley) met and married in 1957. They settled in Beardmore where they raised 4 children, moving to Dorion several years later.

As a young man, Dad enlisted in the Navy and was stationed in Hawaii during the Korean War. He started his work career on the tug boats on Lake Nipigon, moved on to Ontario Hydro, and then tried his hand in the forest industry working at Great Lakes Pulp & Paper, where he worked his way up into senior management until his retirement over 30 years later. Mom and Dad then moved to Thunder Bay and settled into a cozy little apartment in the city where they spent many happy times in the company of their children and grandchildren. In 2017 they lovingly celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Dad enjoyed fishing in the Nipigon area, hunting, camping and loved berry picking. He loved nature, and had a passion for flowers and gardening, and would often sit on his balcony reading and admiring the garden view. He was a great cook and quite easily became Mom’s full time cook through his retirement years, his speciality being Ukrainian dishes. For many years Dad’s highlight of the week was to meet his good friends at the Persian Man for a coffee and lively discussions, which he certainly missed during this past year.

He was predeceased by wife Margaret in 2018, son Douglas in 2019, and granddaughter Nikki in 2019.

He is survived by his loving daughters Phyllis (Les), Beverly, and son Larry (Charlene). Dad was Gigi to Tony (Amy), James (Kadri), Ayla, and Kevin (Tina) and great-grandfather of 6, Brandon, Emory, Aliyah and Zachary, Alexis and Keaghan.

He is also survived by brother Peter (Peggy) and sisters Lorraine, and Pauline, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his sister Cassie, sister-in-law Molly, brother-in-law Raymond.

We love you Dad. Give Mom a hug from all of us, and help her watch over Doug and Nikki.

A heartfelt Thank You to the responders, the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and all those involved in Ernie’s care. Honouring Ernie’s wishes, cremation has taken place with interment at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to Jenkens Funeral Home.

Donations to the Alzheimer Society or Parkinson’s Foundation are welcome in memory of Ernie.