Obituary for John Alexander Ereiser
John Ereiser was born in 1939 in Kerrobert Saskatchewan. The oldest son born to Sebastian & Eva, and second oldest of 8 children, he spent his childhood like so many in Saskatchewan on the family farm. Johnny, as he was known to his family, both direct and extended, deeply loved his older sister Bernice and younger sister Betty who predeceased him, and his younger sisters Evelyn, Faye (Phil) & Linda (Bill), and brothers Jim (Marny) & Ron (Melanie), all of whom he shared a close connection with throughout his life.
With so many siblings, he had the opportunity to be the much loved Uncle John to Elaine, Big James, Liane, Doug, Laurie, Kevin, Marc, Sebastian, Alexandra, Bethany, Cortney, James, Dustin, Arden, and Madison. All of their spouses, partners, and children were seen by Uncle John as equal members of the family and will miss him as much as he does them.
As a young man he left the farm for Edmonton to explore new careers and pursue education, but returned to the farm, and to his family, upon the passing of his father when he was in his mid-twenties. He returned to the hardworking life of a farmer, continued his role as big brother, while also working as a surveyor, bus driver, and whatever it took to make sure his family was cared for.
Years later, with the farm sold and the family living in the ‘big city’ of Kerrobert, he returned to Edmonton to explore the opportunities the world had for him. This would lead him to many years working in the mining industry until he became a small business owner until his retirement. It is also in Edmonton that the role he was most excited about awaited him. In 1971, he became a father to his daughter Kristie with whom he would develop an unbreakable bond, and for whom he would make every sacrifice, just as he did his brothers and sisters in the years prior.
By 1978, John ended up as the single father of a 7- year-old daughter, something that was incredibly rare for the times. By this time, they were living in Ottawa, ultimately landing in Toronto where they would remain until they moved to Calgary in the early 90’s. This move allowed them to be closer to the bulk of his family that had settled throughout Western Canada, and his beloved mother Eva until her passing in 1991.
In 1998, John gained not only a son-in-law, but a son he had always wanted. He watched with pride as his daughter married Kevin, the love of her life, and the man he entrusted to always take care of her.
In 2000, John found his happiest role, in addition to Uncle and Father, when his granddaughter Makena was born, followed by his grandson Kai in 2004. From the time each was born, until John’s passing, they were front of mind and were the subject of conversation every time the opportunity arose. As with his daughter, the bond he shared with them was unbreakable.
Johnny, Uncle John, Dad and Grandpa John were the roles and experiences that John was most proud of and were those for which John clearly had a calling.
John passed peacefully on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the age of 81. Though John faced many medical challenges in the final half of his life, his sense of humor, kind nature, mischievous smile, and warm personality never failed him, and were front and centre to the very end. John always wanted nothing more than that for those whom he cared about to be themselves, do what made them happy, and enjoy life.
His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the caring staff at AgeCare Seton where he lived for the final 6 years of his life. John’s life story ended in the caring confines of Chinook Hospice, and without whom the difficult time (compounded by the unique times we are living in) would have been far more difficult to navigate.
In lieu of flowers or donations, and in recognition of John’s deep love of being Grandpa John, the family asks that you do something to make the lives of your grandchildren, or someone else’s grandchildren, a little brighter today.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of John, please visit www.choicememorial.com.
With so many siblings, he had the opportunity to be the much loved Uncle John to Elaine, Big James, Liane, Doug, Laurie, Kevin, Marc, Sebastian, Alexandra, Bethany, Cortney, James, Dustin, Arden, and Madison. All of their spouses, partners, and children were seen by Uncle John as equal members of the family and will miss him as much as he does them.
As a young man he left the farm for Edmonton to explore new careers and pursue education, but returned to the farm, and to his family, upon the passing of his father when he was in his mid-twenties. He returned to the hardworking life of a farmer, continued his role as big brother, while also working as a surveyor, bus driver, and whatever it took to make sure his family was cared for.
Years later, with the farm sold and the family living in the ‘big city’ of Kerrobert, he returned to Edmonton to explore the opportunities the world had for him. This would lead him to many years working in the mining industry until he became a small business owner until his retirement. It is also in Edmonton that the role he was most excited about awaited him. In 1971, he became a father to his daughter Kristie with whom he would develop an unbreakable bond, and for whom he would make every sacrifice, just as he did his brothers and sisters in the years prior.
By 1978, John ended up as the single father of a 7- year-old daughter, something that was incredibly rare for the times. By this time, they were living in Ottawa, ultimately landing in Toronto where they would remain until they moved to Calgary in the early 90’s. This move allowed them to be closer to the bulk of his family that had settled throughout Western Canada, and his beloved mother Eva until her passing in 1991.
In 1998, John gained not only a son-in-law, but a son he had always wanted. He watched with pride as his daughter married Kevin, the love of her life, and the man he entrusted to always take care of her.
In 2000, John found his happiest role, in addition to Uncle and Father, when his granddaughter Makena was born, followed by his grandson Kai in 2004. From the time each was born, until John’s passing, they were front of mind and were the subject of conversation every time the opportunity arose. As with his daughter, the bond he shared with them was unbreakable.
Johnny, Uncle John, Dad and Grandpa John were the roles and experiences that John was most proud of and were those for which John clearly had a calling.
John passed peacefully on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at the age of 81. Though John faced many medical challenges in the final half of his life, his sense of humor, kind nature, mischievous smile, and warm personality never failed him, and were front and centre to the very end. John always wanted nothing more than that for those whom he cared about to be themselves, do what made them happy, and enjoy life.
His family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the caring staff at AgeCare Seton where he lived for the final 6 years of his life. John’s life story ended in the caring confines of Chinook Hospice, and without whom the difficult time (compounded by the unique times we are living in) would have been far more difficult to navigate.
In lieu of flowers or donations, and in recognition of John’s deep love of being Grandpa John, the family asks that you do something to make the lives of your grandchildren, or someone else’s grandchildren, a little brighter today.
To view and share photos, condolences and memories of John, please visit www.choicememorial.com.