Nicholaas Eras

It is with deep sorrow that the family of NICHOLAAS (NICK) ERAS, age 80, announces his peaceful passing on Saturday,January8,2005,atSt. Joseph's Hospice.Born on January 22, 1924 in Pankalan Brandan, N.E. Sumatra, Indonesia, Nick led a very full and interesting life. As a boy, he grew up with his two brothers and three sisters on a rubber plantation in Indonesia. Times were good and life in Sumatra was very adventurous. Nick entertained us with his endless supply of amazing stories from that happy time in his life. However, things quickly changed with the onset of World War II. At age 17, Nick spent four long years in a prisoner-of-war camp.When released, he and his family went toHolland,wherehecompleted his education in Civil Engineering. He married Elizabeth (Bep) in1949andreturned toIndonesiatomanage rubberplantations. His first two sons, Peter and Robert, were born there. Eventually, civil unrest became too intense, so Nick and family decided to return to Holland.After 8 months, Bep and Nick moved to Canada and settled in Barrie, Ontario. But Nick was eager to see more of the world, so they moved around, living in such places as Vancouver and New Zealand before eventually returning to Barrie.Nick worked as an Electrical Draftsman for Ontario Hydro for 35 years. He began his Hydro career in Barrie and then transferred to Thunder Bay in 1964, where he worked until his retirement in 1986.Nick loved the outdoors and in 1977 be bought 340 acres of land and moved the family to Pearl. He enjoyed hours of hunting, fishing, hiking and gardening, until a stroke slowed him down six years ago. But Nick's quick wit and love of storytelling never failed.Nick is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Elizabeth; his three devoted sons Peter, Robert and Richard (Jeannette); his four beloved grandchildren Jason, Rebecca, Danielle and John Paul; his dear sister Annie (Walter) in California and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Holland. He was predeceased by his parents Annie and Pieter, his brothers John and Pieter, and his sisters Riek and Mien.In accordance with Nick's wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be celebration of Nick's life on Saturday, January 15, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Harbourview Funeral Centre, (499 North Cumberland St. ). Friends may gather one hour prior to service time. Memorial donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre would be greatly appreciated.He will be greatly missed as a husband, father, Opa and friend. We thank God that he is now at peace."