Ernest 'Ernie' Bates

It is with much sadness that I bring word that Ernie ‘Tiger’ Bates passed away suddenly on Sunday, Oct 15, 2023 after a brief stint in Hospital. Ernie was born and raised in Cumberland B.C. and was the youngest of four siblings. He lived in several communities in B.C. including Nanaimo and Cranbrook, eventually settling in Kelowna B.C. in 1990. While he always considered Cumberland his first home, he grew to love his West Kelowna home with a view of the lake and mountains and asked that this be his final resting place.

Ernie was a very energetic child and earned the nick name Tiger. He played several sports as a youngster and particularly loved being outdoors. His “happy place” was the family cabin on  Comox  Lake; a favourite place to gather with family and friends to hunt, fish, throw horseshoes and enjoy a good game of cards along with a beverage or two.

Ernie began his working life early in a grocery store, leaving school at a young age to support his mother after the tragic loss of his Father in a mining accident. Eventually moving on to work in the logging industry, which would end up taking his leg at the young age of 22. After his accident he showed incredible strength and resilience, learning to walk with a prosthesis and adapt to a new way of life. He would later earn his GED and work in industrial safety. When his disability made it difficult to work, he took on the role of fulltime parent managing the household and the kids. He would even bake and make rice crispies for the school bake sales.

Ernie experienced several physical injuries during his life. Age bringing on new health concerns and trials but he bore those with the same patience, good humour and determination he always had, never complaining and always making the best of things. He had a wonderful sense of humour and loved to tell stories of the old days and of his many escapades.

Ernie was predeceased by his parents Della and Thomas, his oldest brother Thomas and his sister-in-law Kay. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary, daughter Kim and son-in-law Ian, son Brett and daughter-in-law Rochelle, sister Dorothy and husband Bill, brother Larry, much loved grandchildren Ella-Ruby, Billie and Finn and many, many nieces and nephews to which he was a favourite Uncle.

On his behalf, I would like to thank Dr Daly, Dr Leung and the many Emergency room physicians and nurses who made it possible for him to have long life.

While his sudden passing has been a shock to family and friends, he is now at peace and no longer in pain. A celebration of life will be held in the Spring of 2024.