Ernest Turta passed away peacefully on October 2, 2019, just 20 days shy of his 82nd birthday, at the Langley BC Memorial Hospital. Ernie was born on October 22, 1937 on the family farm north of Norquay, SK. He grew up on the farm and attended school in Melmore. After leaving school Ernie moved to Melville and worked in a radiator shop. He moved again to Yorkton after marrying Genevieve Zawislak on June 30th, 1963. In Yorkton Ernie obtained his Class 1A licence and got a job hauling crude oil for Art Niefer. In about 1969, Ernie took a position driving semi trucks at Morris Industries. His career at Morris spanned over 15 years as he advanced his way from Truck Driver to becoming the Traffic Manager, responsible for delivering the company’s agricultural products across North America. Ernie was very proud of his tenure at Morris and the special relationship he shared with the founder, Mr. George Morris. Ernie frequently drove Mr. Morris around in his car, and accompanied him to many industry and trade conventions.
Over the years in Yorkton, Ernie & Genevieve raised 3 sons. Ernie loved being outdoors, often spending weekends helping at the family farms or taking his family camping. After using a camper for a few years, Ernie decided a better idea would be to convert a Greyhound bus into a family camper instead – perfect for the dad with a Class 1A licence. The family had many happy memories visiting campsites in the US and Canada with their big camping bus. It was while in Yorkton that Ernie was diagnosed with diabetes, a disease he bravely battled for the rest of this life.
In 1986, Ernie & Genevieve moved to Castlegar BC where Ernie followed his dream of running his own business. They purchased and successfully operated the Fireside Motor Inn for 10 years, managing the guest rooms, meeting & banquet facilities, bar, gym and restaurant. Ernie loved meeting new people, spending time with repeat guests, and making sure everyone felt comfortable while staying in their establishment. Ernie was an active member of the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce and the BC Hotel & Motel Association, winning the BC Motel of the Year Award only a few years after their arrival.
In 1995, Ernie & Genevieve sold their motel and retired to Abbotsford, BC. In his retirement, Ernie pursued his love of airplanes by joining the Abbotsford Air Show Society where he was a Board member and volunteer for their annual international airshow. A few years later they relocated to Langley BC, where Ernie & Genevieve continued to keep active - travelling frequently to the US, vacationing several times in Hawaii, and enjoying their leisure time together. Ernie was known for his kind and gentle spirit. He loved to read and keep up with current news, watch Western movies, and go for walks with his beloved dog Cody. Wherever they went, Ernie & Genevieve were active in the Roman Catholic church. Ernie was a Third-Degree Knight, having joined the Knights of Columbus back in Yorkton in the early 1980’s and continuing his volunteer service while living in BC.
Ernie was predeceased by his parents, Spiridon (1993) and Katie (Burtney) Turta (1983); and his mother and father-in-law, William (2007) and Lucy (Goleski) Zawislak (2009). Ernie will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years Genevieve (Zawislak) of Langley BC; his three sons - Dwight (Linda) Turta, granddaughter Martina, and great-grandson Bryson of Yorkton, SK; Kenneth (Leigh) Turta of Vancouver, BC; and Garrett (Lucia) Turta, and grandsons Jackson and Jordan of Sherwood Park ,AB; his sister Florence (Stanley) Holodnuik of Norquay, SK; and brother Danny (Sandy) Turta of Norquay, SK, along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many good friends.
A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, October 12 at 2:00 pm at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Langley, BC with Fr. Nixon officiating. Inurnment at Fort Langley cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association https://www.diabetes.ca/donate .