Ernest James Campeau
May 22, 1936 – July 8, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ernie Campeau, who passed away peacefully at his residence in Princess Court on July 8, 2024, with his family by his side.
Ernie was born in Stavert, Ontario, near Sault Ste. Marie. He was one of nine children born to Herve and Margaret Campeau. In 1963 Ernie was a Ranger with the Lands and Forest in Geraldton, Ontario. It was there that he met the love of his life, Bernice, and they were married two years later. The following year they welcomed their first child, Tina, and Tracey completed their family two years later. In 1970 their family relocated to Dryden where Ernie worked for the MNR until his retirement in 1992 as the Air Attack Supervisor. After his retirement from the MNR Ernie continued to work for a few years as an Air Attack Officer in various places across Canada and the US.
Ernie’s top priority in life was his family. He was devoted to Bernice, and always put her needs before his. He was fiercely protective of his daughters and didn’t hesitate to step in if he felt that someone had wronged them. He always made sure that they had an endless supply of seasonal fruits which he would drop off on their doorsteps daily. And he was so proud of his granddaughters, Jenna and Meg, and often bragged about their many accomplishments. Ernie’s son-in-law, Marty, was not only family, but he was also his chosen best friend, especially in his later years.
Anyone who knew Ernie knew that his second love in life was fishing. He had many tall tales about his fishing adventures and didn’t hesitate to share those stories with anyone that he met on the street. Ernie was also a bit of a prankster. He loved to play pranks on his family, and those who stopped to talk to him in the grocery store were likely to discover some random item had been slipped into their cart when they turned their back.
Ernie’s battle with dementia began in 2018. In his final year he resided at Princess Court, where he remained until his passing.
Ernie is survived by his wife Bernice (nee Doi), daughters Tina Oberg (Marty) and Tracey Langlais, and granddaughters Jenna (Jacen) and Meg. He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Leo Langlais.
The family would like to thank the staff at DRHC and Princess Court for the compassion that they showed to Ernie during his stays there. We would also like to thank the numerous people who would call us with “Ernie sightings” during his wandering phase when he began to sneak out of the house to walk to his favorite places like Canadian Tire, Home Hardware and Tims. These acts of kindness made it so much easier for us to find him and bring him home safely. We would also like to thank Dr’s Moir, Cortens and Bester for the care that they provided for him over the years.
“Dementia may rob us of our loved ones’ memories, but it can never erase the love we feel from them.”
Fish on Ernie!
As per Ernie’s wishes, there will be no service. Cremation has taken place, and a Private Graveside service will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to Princess Court DECO Box 953, Dryden, ON P8N 3E3
Condolences may be posted to www.dcfh.ca
Arrangements entrusted to the Dryden Community Funeral Home,
249 Grand Trunk Ave. Dryden, ON P8N 2X3
