Carmer, Ernest David

March 21, 1929 – March 1, 2018
at the age of 88 years

Dad “Papa” was born the only child to Faye and George Carmer on March 21, 1929 in Spallumcheen, BC.
He passed away at the age of 88 on March 1st, 2018. Dad was predeceased by the love of his life Clara, and two children Vera and Chris.
Dad was raised in Tappen, BC and later moved to Birch Island, BC.  He was a hard worker and was always part of the logging and lumber industry.  He worked at the old Perry River Sawmill and then at Drew Sawmills, watching it change hands several times over the years.  He piled lumber, operated the edger, he did many other positions and finally finishing his career in his 70’s as night watchman at the Malakwa mill.
Dad met Mom in Sicamous, BC and after a short courtship, they married on Dec 15, 1956 and settled in Malakwa to work and raise their family.  Dad and Grandpa built the family log home on their property along the highway, and that’s where they resided until 2013, when they had to move to make room for the new four lane of highway # 1.  Mom and Dad did lots of camping, socializing, gardening, and community work in between working hard at their jobs and raising 5 children plus looking after Dads Mom in the 80’s and 90’s.
Dad loved to have his fires in his fire pit at his new home on his youngest daughter’s property, burning out a few fire pits in the process!  He was piling and splitting wood right up to the first snow fall of 2017.  It was our favorite memory, Dad telling stories around the fire, about his past adventures and shenanigans he did as a child and teenager before he settled down with Mom.
He had a garden every year, and even canned his own produce.  He had a sign on his garden “Grow Damn It Grow!” which we thought was very endearing and “Dad being Dad”.  He loved to go fishing and go for drives up the mountain and at the last enjoyed his drives around Malakwa with the dogs on his lap. Not only was he an avid gardener, he was also known for his fun loving crib games, and he taught his homecare workers how to play crib, which we were very proud of him for his ability and patience to do so.
Dad passed away peacefully at home.  He has requested cremation and no service, but we may have a fire and wiener roast in late spring in his honor.
Dad is survived by 4 daughters, Noreen (Brian), Dody, Val (Dan), Sally (Ted) and 7 grandchildren and his beloved pets Chumley aka: Hercules and Ginger.
Donations to the Salmon Arm Oncology Unit, BC Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Salmon Arm Branch of BCSPCA in Dads honor would be greatly appreciated.

1 Comment

  1. Dear Noreen, Dody, Val, Sally. Please accept my sincere condolences, both of your parents where very special individuals in my life when I was younger. I so admired their love for each other and their family. Please know that you each are in my thoughts and prayers. Sally Enqvist-Handley

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Call Now Button