WOODS, Ernest - Ernest passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Friday August 13, 2021 at the age of 94.
He is survived by his loving wife Margaret, his daughters Diane Woods and Deborah Pearson, and predeceased by his son David Woods. He was a loving grandfather to Joel (Rachael) and Ayla Pearson, and his great grandchildren Hazel and Finn.
Ernest was born in Edmonton, and spent his childhood with his older brother Maurice and his parents, Edward and Josephine Woods, on their homestead in Payton, Saskatchewan. At the age of 9, the family moved to Vancouver. In 1950, Ernest graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of British Columbia with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He began his pharmacist career at Saint Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Shortly thereafter, he met the love of his life Margaret and they were married in June 1954. After the birth of his two daughters, Ernest moved the family to Toronto in 1958. A year later his youngest, a son was born. In 1964, Ernest moved the family to Brampton and became the proud owner of Large’s Pharmacy at 31 Main Street North where he continued to work until his retirement in 1999, 35 years later.
Ernest was a special person always full of life, energy, compassion and humour. He will be remembered by family, friends, and the community of Brampton for his patience, big heart and generous nature.
Ernest was an active long-time member of the local Lions Club and was granted a Life Membership by the Lions Foundation of Canada in 1984. For his dedicated and untiring service, he was awarded the ‘Melvin Jones Fellow’ in 1991, which is recognized as the highest honor conferred by the Lions Foundation of Canada. In 2006, he was awarded the Helen Keller Fellowship.
Ernest pursed numerous hobbies over the course of his lifetime. In his youth he played basketball at Vancouver College, and as a young adult he enjoyed bowling and curling.Later, Ernest took up the game of golf which he thoroughly enjoyed with family and friends on weekends. He even achieved the status of joining the ‘hole in one’ club! Ernest loved gardening.Over the years he demonstrated his green thumb in growing juicy peaches, monstrous tomatoes, gigantic sunflowers, and a variety of garden vegetables. In his senior years, he became well known to his friends and family for the bountiful crop of concord grapes produced on his backyard vines, which he generously shared with others.
Ernest had a lifelong passion for collecting stamps and over the years he amassed an impressive collection.In recent years, he spent long days with magnifying glass in hand hovering over his stamps as he continued to methodically research and catalogue one stamp at a time.
Ernest was a family man, dedicated to caring and providing for the well-being of his wife and children. Though he worked long hours in his pharmacy, he made time to build an ice rink in the backyard every year when the children were young. In later years, the rink was replaced by an in-ground pool, which provided immeasurable enjoyment for family gatherings, parties and celebrations with friends.
Ernest had a genuine and patient personality, a gentle demeanor and was always a good listener. He was a doting husband, generous father, a reliable friend and an extremely well-liked pharmacist to his many customers.
All of us will miss him greatly. He will always be remembered for his warm smile, sense of humour, generosity and kindness for all.
Arrangements and livestream funeral details are entrusted with Ward funeral homes. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, a private family funeral and service will take place at 2 pm on Thursday August 19th at St. James the Apostle Anglican Church in Brampton, Ontario.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or charity of your choice.
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