May 15,1931 – July 27, 2020

Ernest (Ernie) Edward Schley passed away peacefully in his home on July 27, 2020 in Vernon BC at the age of 89. Ernie was born in Trail BC during “The Great Depression”, the eldest of seven children. The lessons learned during those challenging times followed him throughout his life. Ernie was independent and self sufficient to his final day. He left this world as he had hoped, still in his home and able to make his own decisions. It was such a blessing to his children, siblings and friends.

 

Ernie’s parents moved to Vernon when he was 12 years old. Known as the ‘Golden Boy’ or the ‘General” by his six siblings, Ernie was tasked by his parents to ensure the livestock and garden were cared for, and the younger kids were kept in line while his Dad worked away from town. His sister Joan said he was given a lot of responsibility; ‘he was tough sometimes but did what our parents asked at such a young age’. Ernie had a strong sense of duty even as a child.

 

Ernie left high school early to learn a trade as a brick layer. When he suffered a back injury on the job he switched trades becoming a carpenter earning his journeyman ticket later in life. Ernie had quite a good singing voice as a young man and was a smooth dancer. At a time when live music and old time dances were common place Ernie was popular; he would lead friends singing hit songs between sets and he’d dance the night away with the pretty girls. It was at those dances where he fell hopelessly head-over-heels in love with Phyllis Hoffman, marrying on July 24, 1953. Phyllis made Ernie a better man tempering his strong opinions and inclination to speak his mind.

 

When their first child Terry arrived Phyllis became a full-time homemaker. They would go on to have three more children: Bob, Donna and Kelly. Ernie worked incredibly hard; and with a bit of financial help from Phyllis’ parents he began building a house for his family in the evenings after working at his full-time job. He never secured a mortgage and built the home with the help of his family and friends as money permitted. When Phyllis was pregnant with Kelly, Ernie moved his young family into the basement of the partially completed house. He then boldly went to the town asking for the water to be connected. We don’t know how he did it, because although his request was initially denied he managed to convince town staff to turn the water on.

 

Ernie worked at various large construction projects including the microwave tower system running between Vancouver and the WAC Bennet Dam. He would tell stories of sketchy helicopter flights into remote locations and staying in emergency shelters due to poor weather. He made good money but missed his family far too much to work away. The kids happily recall the day when Dad came home for good, like Santa Claus, with presents for all!

 

Ernie and Phyllis were an amazing team who managed to give their children opportunities to foster and develop their own interests. The kids never felt like they missed out on anything. When all three boys successfully made the valley-wide Vernon United men’s soccer team, Ernie was convinced by coach Kubilius to become the team manager. He was instrumental in applying for grants from the BC government to enable travel to tournaments, and gaining local business sponsorship to cover expenses incurred. Because Ernie had built a large in-ground swimming pool when the kids were in their teens, a soccer team pool party became an annual event.

 

Ernie and his brother-in-law Pete were passionate salmon anglers. A passion that has been passed down to their sons Kelly and Dave. With the cooling mist coming off the rapids in the early morning hours, Ernie loved heading to the ‘Chucks’ on the Shuswap River. His last visit to the river occurred when he was 83.

 

Around 1975 Ernie began working for the Vernon School District as a maintenance carpenter. Projects would end during the school term, so Ernie would switch to janitorial duty. He didn’t love the work, but the little kids certainly loved him so they called him Uncle Ernie.

 

With age came opportunity; Phyllis began working in 1973 making travel to exotic locals possible. The kids recall their love being rekindled, renewed at a time when they would soon become empty nesters. After their kids married, Ernie and Phyllis were thrilled to have 7 grandchildren. They travelled regularly east to Ontario where Terry and Bob had settled, and to Kananaskis where Donna worked as a Conservation Officer. Ernie would go on to welcome 6 great-grandchildren, a measure of his legacy.

 

In 1996 Ernie’s beloved wife Phyllis was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The family was devastated. After 43 years happily married Ernie was now alone. The kids feared Ernie would struggle without the support from the love of his life. But true to his tenacious spirit Ernie reinvented himself. He gardened, began golfing more, fishing further afield, curling, playing cards weekly, and dancing more often. He became a staunch Blue Jays fan, taking bus trips to Seattle to watch a series with his buddies. He connected with his siblings and friends at regular coffee gatherings in the food court where gossip was shared and worldly issues ‘solved’. Ernie did not sit on the sidelines watching his years pass. He remained engaged, active and interested in what was happening. He became an avid reader of novels and articles. He was the kind of guy who would talk to anyone. In the last few years he lived his life as fully as he could with his bad heart, weak knees and mysterious blood loss. When asked how he was doing he always responded with a resounding ‘Excellent’.

 

Mourning his death are Ernie’s 4 children: Terry (Linda), Bob, Donna (Paul), Kelly (DJ). His 7 grandchildren: Brad, Brittany, Sarah, Melissa (Eric), Lindsay (Stephen), Robert (Alexandra), and Vicki (Paul). His 6 great grandchildren: Alyssia, Matthew, Nico, Avery, Lukas, and Jessika. His surviving siblings: Joan, Herb (Marlene), Allan (Dorothy), and Gord (Heather). He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. Ernie had many friends, great neighbours and acquaintances who supported him. The family would especially like to thank Ron, Joe and Jan for being good buddies.

 

Due to health restrictions and fear of spreading COVID 19, the celebration of life service planned in September will be by invitation only. We apologize to all who want to attend Ernie’s memorial and trust that you understand these are unprecedented times. The ability to send a messages of condolence to the family is available through the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home web site. A Youtube video link will enable you to participate in Ernie’s service; the link will be posted in Ernie’s obituary after September 11, 2020. Cremation has occurred and interment will follow the service. Arrangements in care of Pleasant Valley Funeral Home, Vernon, BC. 250-542-4333.