In his own home as per his wishes, with dignity and courage, his family peacefully said goodbye to a husband, father, step-father, brother-in-law; step grand-father, step great-grandfather, uncle and friend. Born in Winnipeg, Erick grew up an only child on a farm in the Carman, MB area to immigrant parents. While in his teens Erick was predeceased by his mother, Bertha (1964) due to a vehicle accident and by his father, Hellmut (1996) at Patricia Gardens after having moved him from Manitoba to Dryden in the late 80’s.
Erick graduated in 1969 from the University of Manitoba as a Mechanical Engineer and spent 30 years in various positions within the pulp and paper business. An entrepreneur at a young age, he was involved in other business ventures throughout his life including a fishing lodge, apartment block, two motels and numerous other smaller ventures. 2003 was a year of change, leaving his career in pulp and paper, along with he and his wife selling their motel business of 13 years (Timberland). After they managed Eagles Landing golf course for a season, the opportunity arose to become involved in the hardware, lumber, cabinet & countertop businesses (Timbermax); purchasing shares over time, growing the businesses to become full owners; selling and retiring in early 2021.
An intelligent, private man, with a dry sense of humour, whom we often accused of being a procrastinator; he was loved and will be deeply missed by his wife and partner of 30+ years Rena Madden; daughter Shae (Michael); son North (Victoria); step-daughter Shannon (Laurence); sister-in-law Lesley (Bow); sister-in-law Marla; cousin Garry Schwarz (Young Soon and daughter Natalie); nieces Haley (John and daughter Emma); Rheo (Scott and son Mason); step-grandchildren Jessica (Robyn) and Shelby (Daniel); along with step great-grandchildren Kane, Damon, Loki and Ivy; extended family in Germany, along with friends and business associates of northwestern Ontario.
The last few years of Erick’s life were challenging with a late onset Huntington diagnosis and the family appreciated those friends, neighbours and business associates who reached out through visits, emails, phone calls and coffee dates. This end of life journey would have been more difficult without the care and compassion of Dr. Riaan Bester, his assistant Meghan and many other valued health care providers. Cremation has taken place.
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Graham and Donna Harrison says
June 22, 2022 at 2:43 amPlease accept our heartfelt condolences Rena on the loss of your husband. Erick accomplished a lot in his lifetime in reading his obituary and I am sure he will be missed by your family.
Michelle De Coninck & Brian Kuzemchuk says
June 22, 2022 at 12:55 pmRena, Shae, North and family
We are so deeply saddened and sorry to hear of your recent lose of your husband and father. We will always remember Erick’s dry scenes of humour and willingness to help other business associates in the Dryden area.
Nicole Gale says
June 22, 2022 at 1:24 pmMy family and I wish to express our deep condolences to Erick’s family. He was one of my first bosses in the Dryden mill and I had the pleasure of enjoying his dry wit and calming leadership during that time. May he rest in peace and may the memories of the time you have spent with him bring you comfort.
Frank McLellan says
June 22, 2022 at 8:01 pmMy condolences to your family on Erick s passing.
KEN Lovenuk says
June 23, 2022 at 11:24 amRena and &amity sorry for your loss. Maybe Eric Rest In Peace.
If friends choose, donations in Erick’s memory can be made to the Huntington Society of Canada or the DRHC Foundation through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3