On January 9, 2023, Ernie Reid passed peacefully from this life surrounded by his beloved wife and daughters.
Ernie was born July 7, 1937 to Gertie and Ernest Reid in Toronto, Ontario. The first of three children, he lived with his family in Toronto for most of his childhood. When Ernie was a teenager his family moved to Guelph where, during his high school years, he developed a life-long love for brass banding and basketball. Throughout his life, he would find joy in playing, coaching, listening, leading and cheering.
After completing his Honours Math degree at The University of Western Ontario, Ernie returned to Guelph where he began teaching high school. As a teacher and basketball coach, he built an open and supportive relationship with his students that went far beyond the classroom and the basketball court.
Soon, he met and married his first love, Sandra. Ernie and Sandra were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, Michele, into the world and they loved her with all their hearts. There was much joy and discovery in these early family years, even while Sandra was living with a terminal illness. During this time, Ernie found tennis, soon competing at the all-Ontario level. Ernie and Sandra felt they had so much love to share that they welcomed a foster daughter, Brenda, into their home. As Sandra’s illness progressed, this young family, with the tremendous support of Sandra and Ernie’s parents and siblings, navigated a difficult and painful road for many years.
As Sandra reached the end of her life, Ernie discovered comfort in God’s love and, after her passing, he followed God’s call into Officership in The Salvation Army. Having been ordained and commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1979, Ernie, with his daughter Michele, took his first appointment in Ingersoll, Ontario. During his three-year appointment, Ernie met and married his second love, Sandy. Together, they were appointed to The Salvation Army in Essex, Ontario where, with Michele, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Ruth. Ernie and Sandy were true partners in their life together. Whether in ministry, at the scrabble board, or on the tennis court, they balanced each other beautifully and magnified each other’s best qualities.
Ernie served as a Salvation Army officer alongside Sandy through 4 appointments until their retirement in 2007. Ernie truly carried the heart of a pastor, and considered it a deep privilege to walk with the members of his churches through life’s joys and tragedies.
In 2007, Ernie and Sandy retired and moved to Innisfil, Ontario where he embraced both the hobbies of his youth and some new adventures. Joining Heritage Brass as their Executive Officer brought Ernie much joy. He was very happy to take a seat in the horn section initially, and later in the tuba section of the band prior to the end of his term. Ernie continued to use his gifts in pastoring by leading the shepherding group at Barrie Citadel and facilitating weekly Bible study groups. He also joined the Sandy Cove table tennis club and enjoyed leading the Sandy Cove community choir. And, of course, his retirement years gave him ample time to cheer on his Raptors! As Ernie’s health began to fail he became involved in a palliative support program. Once again drawing on his experience and love for pastoring, he discovered a meaningful role walking with other members.
Ernie is survived by his wife Sandy, daughters Michele (Paul) and Ruth (Peter), grandchildren Tika, Kira, Zoe, Levi, Vivian, Oakley, Amanda, and Vicki, brother Murray (Thea), brother-in-law Jack (preceded in death by sister, Marge), and many loving nieces and nephews.
A public celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 21st at The Salvation Army Barrie Citadel (151 Lillian Crescent, Barrie, Ontario) at 2pm with visitation beginning at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to The Salvation Army Barrie Citadel Partners in Mission or Hospice Simcoe.
Arrangements entrusted to Adams Funeral Home