Obituaries

Albert Ernest Oliver
(Ernie Oliver)
June 11, 1935 – February 9, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Albert Ernest Oliver (Ernie), at Holy Family Home, with family by his side, on February 9, 2025. Survived by his wife Clara Oliver (and family), his children Roberta Oliver (Gerry), Connie Wilson, Darlene Witt, Joy Oliver and Derwin Oliver. Grandchildren Shaun (Nadine), Stacey, Kristi-Rae (Chris), Rian (Alecia), Crystal, Paxton, Paige, Melissa (Jason), Jack (Ashley), Hailey, Tara (Mike), Kris (Jess), Cody, Kirby (Christina) and Jordan.
Great-Grandchildren Nash, Shaeden, Sydney, Lukas, Dalton, Jaxon, Raven, Cyrus, Alex, Brooklyn, Lee, Hannah, Roxy, Kylee, Eli and Bennett. Sister Deidre Smith (nee Oliver), sister-in-law Myrna Oliver (nee Farmer) as well as numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his daughter Pam Oliver-Bingham, brother Russ Oliver, parents Bert and Hazel Oliver and brother-in-law Bud Smith.

Dad was born in Winnipeg on June 11, 1935. He grew up on the farm in Marquette and attended Poplar Heights School. Dad wore many hats over his lifetime starting at a very young age farming at home, he worked construction in Leduc AB, before returning to Marquette and purchasing his own farm and starting a family. He hauled grain, and cleared land with his caterpillar tractor. Later he moved to Lundar where he owned Oliver’s Grocery (12 yrs) and also became the Lundar volunteer Fire Chief and drove with their Ambulance Service. After retiring from the store he moved to Winnipeg and drove for Beaver Bus Lines, he was even Santa at Eaton’s downtown and drove Semi-Truck across Canada and the USA.

As a young man Dad was very active in sports playing hockey, baseball and when he discovered his love for curling. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, and many trips with family members to Grand Rapids. Dad’s passion for curling started in the Marquette Curling Rink. He always had time for curling, in his prime he would curl 250+ games a season, in multiple clubs, leagues and bonspiels in Manitoba and across Canada. Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club was where you could usually find him. Dad was the President and Founder of the Manitoba Stick Curling Association. The Ernie Oliver Stick Spiel was established in 2011 out of the Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club which they still hold every September.
In 2012 he received the Manitoba Council on Aging Recognition Award for his contribution to improving the quality of life for seniors and all Manitoban’s with stick curling. In 2020 Dad was inducted into the Manitoba Curling Hall of Fame as a “BUILDER” A pioneer in the establishment and growth of 2-person stick curling as a recreational and competitive sport who dedicated time, energy and personal assets to promote and instruct and who was instrumental in establishing both the Manitoba (2005) and Canadian (2008) 2-person stick championships. Travelling, meeting people and socializing was one of dads gifts in life, not only during his curling adventures, but also on a personal level. He enjoyed trips to Portugal, Hawaii, Aruba and an Alaskan Cruise.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Holy Family Home of Winnipeg (St. Nicholas Unit) where he was loved and cared for with so much compassion and grace over the past two years and in his final days.

In accordance with Dad’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM, in Meadow Lea Community Centre, Marquette, MB (Hwy 227/248). A private family Interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ernie Oliver can be made to the Marquette Curling Rink, Box 254, Marquette, MB. R0H 0V0
OR e-Transfer to marquettecurlingrink@gmail.com