Ernie passed away peacefully in his sleep on February 10th, 2025 in his 89th year. Ernie was predeceased by his wife Susan (Sue) (2005) and his daughter Joanne (2022). He is survived by his children John (Tracy), Patrick (Tracy) and Leslie (Gerard Boyle). Proud and loving Grandfather (Pa) to Kevin Budd (Staci), Michael, Gillian (Owen), Lauren, Katherine, Margaret, Sarah & Caroline, Eddie Boyle, Charlotte Boyle, Madeline Boyle, & Laura Boyle. Great – Grandfather to Oliver, Theodore, Clementine, Leopold & Winifred Budd.
Ernie, born in Village Green, PEI on January 19th, 1937, was in the middle of his six siblings and was pre-deceased by his brothers infant James, Joseph (Emmett), John (Jack), Patrick (Maurice), Reginald (Reggie), and sisters Marie Callaghan & Elizabeth (Betty) Carmichael. Ernie will be sadly missed by his sister-in-law Betty Duffy and many special nieces and nephews, especially nephew Dan Duffy and his wife Kara, as well as other family in his beloved PEI.
Ernie left PEI as a young man in the 50’s. He met his dear Sue in Montreal, where they ultimately married and had their four children. It is there where Ernie began his career in the metal-working tooling industry before taking the family to Mississauga in the mid 70’s. Ernie, the burgeoning entrepreneur, broke away from SKF Dormer Tools of Canada and joined Triumph Tool Ltd. as a partner. He soon bought out his partners, and then brought all four of his children into the family business. Triumph thrived under his iconic leadership. He retired at 68 to care for his ailing Sue, but remained an advisor to his children through his final days. He was not only a successful businessman, but was a savvy investor.
Ernie was a very hard working man. He played hard too. Leisure time was prioritized for family and friends. He was always up for a great conversation. When his children were young, he enjoyed camping, fishing, annual summer vacations in PEI, and cheering on the Expos. As time went on, he continued his interest in fishing and became an avid Blue Jays fan as well as a collector of antique tractors.
As Ernie and Sue approached mid-life, they acquired a farm in Mt. Herbert PEI and a home in Port Charlotte, Florida. For many happy years, they would spend their summers in PEI and their winters in Florida with brief periods at their home in Guelph in the shoulder seasons. They amassed countless friends at each of their homes. The door was always open for friends to come in for a cup of tea, a biscuit or a meal, a cocktail or a drink of wine. After Sue’s passing, Ernie continued on the same cadence. He made us all proud, keeping up these traditions.
Ernie was a very proud man and a natural leader. He was a highly loved and respected family man, businessman and friend to many of all ages. He was a man of strong faith. He had very high standards for himself, that he also held others too. He was a decisive, blue-blooded conservative and loved discussing politics.
Ernie lived life to the fullest through to his last day.
Resting at Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Funeral Home, HART CHAPEL, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph ON on Friday February 21st from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday February 22nd at the Basilica of Our Lady, Guelph at 10:30 am. Interment to follow at Marymount Cemetery, Guelph. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Basilica of Our Lady Building Foundation or MS Canada would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home or condolences at gilbertmacintyreandson.com.