Ernest William Mallard  After a courageous battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis with his loving family at his side, Ernie peacefully passed away at the age of 77 years on December 19, 2003. He is survived by his loving wife Thelma of 57 years and his four children, Bill (Vange), Brenda, Joanne (Bill) and Gary (Lily); three granddaughters Reagan, Jodie and Catherine; and sister Anne (Dave). He was looking forward to the addition of a fourth grandchild in January. He was predeceased by infant daughter Shirley Ann, father Gordon, mother Annie, stepmother Ada, brother Harry and sister Avis. Dad was born in Stalwart, SK on August 23, 1926.
In his teens he worked on the farm, then hauled fuel for a family business and worked as a garage mechanic for a Melfort, SK dealership. He married Thelma in September 1946, moved to Rorketon, MB in 1948 to operate a family owned movie theatre. In 1949 they moved to Whitemouth, MB to operate their own theatre.
To supplement his income, he was hired on by Manitoba Power Commission (Manitoba Hydro) in 1950. Thus began 37 years of service throughout Manitoba starting as a labourer, advancing to lineman working on Farm Electrification. In 1953 he became a Relief District Supervisor in Beausejour, Lac Du Bonnet and the Grand Beach areas and took over supervision two years later. Ernie and family moved to Brandon in 1961 where for the next four years he trained on Live Line work becoming Line Maintenance Supervisor for Eastern Manitoba in 1966, and moved his family to Winnipeg. Following regionalization, Ernie became Live Line Methods Coordinator for the province, setting up methods and procedures for bare hand contact and complicated hot stick jobs. While in this position, Ernie was involved in the design and development of various specialty tools used by field staff in Manitoba, other Canadian and U.S. utilities.
Ernie retired in April 1987 to start their annual (16 years) fall migration to the warm climate of Mesa, AZ (truck and trailer in tow). They enjoyed their new lifestyle with new found friends and numerous activities, returning home each spring to spend time with family and friends and planning their annual East or West trips across Canada in their home on wheels. Hobbies included curling, golf, fishing, snowmobiling, camping, genealogy and computers. Ernie was a handy man who loved to fix and repair anything, utilizing his talents to help others. Special thanks to Emergency, 6 South and especially 5 South staff at St. Boniface Hospital for their care and compassion in helping his passage be dignified and comfortable.
Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 23 at Windsor Park United Church, 1062 Autumnwood Dr., with Rev. Dr. Sharon L. Wilson officiating. The service will conclude with a reception. According to his wishes cremation has taken place, with a private family committal to follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Manitoba Lung Association, 629 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, R3A 1P6.
Ernie will be greatly missed by his family and although he is no longer physically with us, his spirit and love lives on in the memories he has left of his wonderful life and his great love for his family.

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