He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Sylvia; children Ray (Angelika) of Regina SK, Donald of Minneapolis MN, and Dianna (Steve Hanchar) of Lloydminster AB; daughter-in-law Lisa Buckingham, Hart MI; grandchildren David, Dylan, Paige, Brandon Hanchar, Katrina (Carson Dougall), Monika, Olive and William Nixdorf; great-granddaughter Adalyn Nixdorf; sister Janet (Norm) Froehlich; brothers-in-law Graham (Carol) Devitt, Blake (Patty) Devitt and Brad (Marla) Devitt; sister-in-law Lavonne (Brian) Robinson; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Erv grew up in Lynn Lake MB where he helped his parents with the laundry for the Sherritt Gordon Mine. He started school by correspondence and completed his Grade 12 in Lynn Lake. In Grade 11, as part of Sea Cadets he travelled to the Far East for four months. His summers included participation in Sea Cadet camps on both coasts of Canada. Erv continued his studies at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, where he studied Petroleum Technology.
Erv started working with Dowell Canada and worked for them in Canada. He worked overseas in the Middle and Far East for ten years between 1971 and 1981. On returning to Canada, he was hired on with Trican Well Service Co. Ltd., an independent company operating out of Lloydminster, AB. He bought into the company and moved to Lloydminster in 1983. The company sold out in 1997 and he remained as a sales person until 2003 when he joined Rocanda, continuing to sell oilfield products.
In 2005 Erv and Sylvia moved to Parksville BC, which to them was “Paradise Island”. Erv golfed frequently and his love of travel continued. They travelled the world on many cruises and spent time in China, Thailand, Mexico and other countries. Erv loved experiencing so many parts of the world.
During the last five years, Erv's health started to deteriorate as he experienced memory loss and heart problems. In September 2023 they relocated to Regina SK to be near their son, Ray and his family. They had hoped to spend lots of time with the growing family but that was not to be. While in the hospital in October he did get to spend time with his great-granddaughter Adalyn. They shared movies, popcorn and “Timbits”. We know he enjoyed that and she will always remember him.
Erv's ashes will be spread at sea at a later date.