With great sadness, we announce the passing of Eric Tootill, a devoted husband, loving father, and beloved grandfather.  Eric died peacefully on August 9, 2011 at the age of 87, in the company of his family, who were holding his hands and singing to him to the end.  He is succeeded by Cate, his beloved wife of 60 years, his children David, Helen, and Neil, and his seven grandchildren, Eric (his namesake), Eleanor, Shannon, Victoria, Wendy, Allister, and Lucy.
Eric was a wonderful man who made friends easily.  Always calm, always warm, always intelligent, his words of quiet wisdom were a constant reassuring presence to all who knew him.  He was a talented storyteller to three generations, both with his unforgettable readings and his impressive repertoire of songs.  His love of learning has been an inspiration to his children and their children.
Eric was born in England on June 26, 1924 and enlisted in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy as a pilot in the Second World War, travelling all over the world while mastering the difficult art of landing a Corsair on an aircraft carrier.  Soon after the war, he met Cate at a dance.  She was immediately attracted to the tallest man in the room, and so entranced by his warmth and intelligence that they stayed together for almost sixty-five years.  They moved to Canada in 1958, pursuing a better life for themselves and their three small children.  In Canada, Eric became a high school mathematics teacher, head of the math department, and coach of the wrestling team at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto.
Upon retirement, Eric and Cate moved to Vancouver, and Eric went back to school himself, earning a second degree from Simon Fraser University at the age of seventy-nine.  While not studying, he resumed his travels, this time accompanied by Cate, with numerous trips throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
A family gathering and scattering of the ashes will be held Saturday, August 27.  If you would like to celebrate Eric’s life, please make donations to the BC Cancer Society in his name.