ERNEST DOJACK

ERNEST FRANK DOJACK October 23, 1943 - March 19, 2026
It is with profound sadness, and deep gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the peaceful passing of Ernie Dojack, on March 19th in Winnipeg, while in palliative care at Victoria Hospital. Ernie had a courageous journey with Parkinson's for many years, until a rapid decline the past month.

Ernie was born in Winnipeg on October 23,1943, where he grew up with his parents Frank and Ella, and younger brothers Rob and Tom. Ernie's formative years were greatly influenced by working on weekends in his father's store, Dojack's Winnipeg Musical Supply, and singing in the choir at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, where his mother was the organist and choir director. He also took up playing both the piano and guitar to accompany his singing, which led to his calling as an amateur musician and entertainer.

Ernie started university at the age of 14. In1964, while Ernie was a student in Honours Chemistry at the U. of Manitoba and working as a student lab instructor, he started helping out a young Jackie Livingston in the chemistry lab, Little did she know, Ernie had ulterior motives. Thus began their love story.

In 1966, Ernie started his career in education as a science teacher at Lakeview High School, with the Lakehead Board of Education. Following their marriage in 1967, Jackie joined Ernie in Port Arthur and started teaching in the same Science department.

In addition to his teaching duties during the early years, Ernie was the music director for several musicals at Lakeview, where he also established a popular folk group. He sang in the Ft. William Male Choir and played the lead role in several community musicals as well.

From 1972-77, Ernie and Jackie moved to Germany to teach for the Department of National Defence at Lahr Senior High School. They embraced all that this experience had to offer - teaching high school students from all over Canada, weekends in Paris or skiing in Switzerland, attending the opera, ballet, and symphony concerts, summer tenting trips to many European countries, and making new life long friends, all while developing a passion for food and wine. While living abroad, Ernie again pursued his musical avocation and established a high school folk group that performed in several countries. He also joined the local German male choir, making friends with many people in the Lahr community. On Sunday mornings, he hosted a classical music radio show on the Canadian Armed Forces channel that gave him an excuse to establish his collection of 1400 long play records.

Returning to Thunder Bay, Ernie taught at or was V.P. at a number of high schools - Churchill, Hillcrest, Northwood and P.A.C.I. He also spent several years as the Staff Development Officer.

Ernie sang in the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus and Community Choir, he was on the board of the T.B. Community Auditorium and chair of its building committee, and was on numerous boards and committees to support the Arts in T.B.

Ernie's life was greatly enriched in 1982, by the birth of his daughter Katie. Ernie and Jackie were warned by many that after almost 15 childless years of marriage adventure, they would have to settle down. They took Katie on 12 flights before she turned 1. On deferred salary leaves of absence from work, they spent a year in Europe when Katie was 2, another year travelling in Western Canada, California and Europe when Katie was 7, and 6 months backpacking in Southeast Asia and travelling in Europe when Katie was 12.

After retirement, Ernie kept busy by working extensively for both Elections Canada and Ontario, and also volunteered through CESO, where he attended to both the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan to provide professional development to their teachers.

Ernie and Jackie continued to travel the world with many cherished friends, and ventured to S. America, India, Japan, Egypt, Rwanda, and Morocco. They also went to Europe twice a year to cycle or hike, and to participate in Christmas markets and Advent concerts. Ernie always left everyone with a feeling that there was an adventure not to be missed, just around the corner.

Closer to home, Ernie cycled in the annual 50 Km Eldorado Classic until it ended in 2019, an inspiration to the rest of the cyclists.

Ernie was so grateful to have been welcomed into the St.Croix/Chochla family, and for the past many years that they included Jackie and him in cherished family events. Ernie travelled on family vacations and attended hockey and basketball games for his treasured grandsons, Jaxon and Liam, up until a few days before his hospitalization.

Ernie will be remembered as a kind, respectful, intelligent, adventurous and fun loving man. Although increasingly restricted in his physical body by Parkinson's over the past few years, his spirit remained strong. He was loved by many.

Ernie is survived by his wife and life partner, Jackie; his daughter, Katie Dojack; son in law, Chris St. Croix; grandsons, Jaxon and Liam St. Croix; brothers, Rob Dojack and Tom Dojack (Sue); brothers in law, Bob Livingston (Linda) and Don Livingston (Char); and sister in laws, Judy Derksen (Bob) and Kathy Stickney; nephews and nieces with whom he shared a special bond, and many dearly beloved friends.

Although our health care systems are beleaguered, Ernie received excellent and compassionate care from the staff at the hospitals in Thunder Bay and Winnipeg over the past several weeks.

A Winnipeg memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Unitarian Church, 603 Wellington Crescent and later, a celebration of life in Thunder Bay in August.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to the TBSO, United Way of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Community Foundation or a Charity of Your Choice.

A photo biography honouring Ernie's life is accessible through the 'tributes' link below.

ETHICAL DEATH CARE Simple Cremation & Life Celebrations 204-421-5501 Tributes: EthicalDeathCare.com