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David ERNST Obituary
David Ernst passed away peacefully, with his immediate family by his side, on Saturday, December 12, after heroic efforts against a rare and pernicious form of cancer. He was the loving husband for 53 years of Wendy Ernst, who passed before him. He was the son of Dr. David and Catharan Ernst, of Waterloo, Ontario. Dave is survived by his son Chris and daughter Alison. Whether he was captaining his boat, his business, or his family, Dave treated life as an adventure to be relished.
An avid and intrepid sailor, Dave was always happiest on the water with his family and friends.
He adventured widely on the Great Lakes in all manner of vessels—from a cramped powerboat, through a series of beloved sailboats, and finally a comfortable cabin cruiser. He honored his vessels with meticulous upkeep and was generous to other sailors with his time, labour and knowledge. Indeed, many of his closest friends were fellow mariners, including those members of the C.R.Y.C. Dave was always there to lend a hand with a difficult project or help someone dock in rough weather. Indeed, he was at his absolute best during a crisis. In Georgian Bay and the North Chanel, the weather can turn on a dime. Anchors can drag in the night. Engines can burst into flames. Boats can run aground and even sink. In countless such situations, spanning decades, he rescued numerous mariners and their vessels. One July 4th, he organized a bucket brigade to stop an island anchorage from burning to the ground after some American visitors set off fireworks. More recently, Dave captained a 56-foot narrowboat through the scenic—and very tight—canals of England.
An entrepreneur and owner of an award-winning communications agency, Dave had deep ties within the business community. His sharply honed skills led him to political leadership roles as well, such as President of the Burlington Ontario Liberal Association and as a campaign manager for a grueling race for MPP. His strong sense of ethics and his belief that business should build people up, meant that partners and colleagues worked with him for years. It is no wonder that Dave's business relationships often turned into lasting friendships.
Dave was deeply committed to the prosperity of his community. As a parishioner of St. Christopher's Anglican Church, as a member of his local YMCA, and as a member of several service clubs, Dave was generous with his time and counsel. At the church, he was a Lay Delegate to the Diocesan Synod, served on Parish Council, helped to lead the Men's Breakfast and Ginger Group, and regularly cooked breakfast with his dear friend for the annual Christmas Market. Dave was a past-President of the Optimist's Club of Burlington, where many people might have seen him selling Christmas trees to raise funds. He was an active volunteer with Easter Seals, taking families on the water every summer. Dave supported the arts and enjoyed attending the theatre with a tight group of friends. A sportsman until the end, he not only played racquetball competitively with his racquetball family at "the Y," he also volunteered there to bring youth into the sport.
It's said that a smooth sea never made a good sailor. Dave was no stranger to rough weather in his life. The trials and tribulations of business, his lengthy struggle with cancer, his wife's hard-fought battle with ALS, these were just some of the storms that raged through his life. In all cases, he handled these situations with equanimity, unfailing kindness, and an eternal optimism. If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it safe in port forever. Dave, in his wisdom, knew that sitting in port is not the place for a boat. One of his final acts was to donate a beautiful CL 16 sailboat to an indigenous youth group as a vessel for kids to have their own adventures on the waters he adored.
Dave will be missed by family and friends for his courage, his convictions, his loving heart, and his unfailing moral compass. For those who wish, donations in his memory may be made to the "Wendy Ernst Journey to Success Award," administered by the Halton Learning Foundation. Dave established this scholarship to honour his wife and contributions would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Dave's legacy is, and will continue to be, woven through our lives.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 19th at the Burlington Golf and Country Club from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.smithsfh.com
An avid and intrepid sailor, Dave was always happiest on the water with his family and friends.
He adventured widely on the Great Lakes in all manner of vessels—from a cramped powerboat, through a series of beloved sailboats, and finally a comfortable cabin cruiser. He honored his vessels with meticulous upkeep and was generous to other sailors with his time, labour and knowledge. Indeed, many of his closest friends were fellow mariners, including those members of the C.R.Y.C. Dave was always there to lend a hand with a difficult project or help someone dock in rough weather. Indeed, he was at his absolute best during a crisis. In Georgian Bay and the North Chanel, the weather can turn on a dime. Anchors can drag in the night. Engines can burst into flames. Boats can run aground and even sink. In countless such situations, spanning decades, he rescued numerous mariners and their vessels. One July 4th, he organized a bucket brigade to stop an island anchorage from burning to the ground after some American visitors set off fireworks. More recently, Dave captained a 56-foot narrowboat through the scenic—and very tight—canals of England.
An entrepreneur and owner of an award-winning communications agency, Dave had deep ties within the business community. His sharply honed skills led him to political leadership roles as well, such as President of the Burlington Ontario Liberal Association and as a campaign manager for a grueling race for MPP. His strong sense of ethics and his belief that business should build people up, meant that partners and colleagues worked with him for years. It is no wonder that Dave's business relationships often turned into lasting friendships.
Dave was deeply committed to the prosperity of his community. As a parishioner of St. Christopher's Anglican Church, as a member of his local YMCA, and as a member of several service clubs, Dave was generous with his time and counsel. At the church, he was a Lay Delegate to the Diocesan Synod, served on Parish Council, helped to lead the Men's Breakfast and Ginger Group, and regularly cooked breakfast with his dear friend for the annual Christmas Market. Dave was a past-President of the Optimist's Club of Burlington, where many people might have seen him selling Christmas trees to raise funds. He was an active volunteer with Easter Seals, taking families on the water every summer. Dave supported the arts and enjoyed attending the theatre with a tight group of friends. A sportsman until the end, he not only played racquetball competitively with his racquetball family at "the Y," he also volunteered there to bring youth into the sport.
It's said that a smooth sea never made a good sailor. Dave was no stranger to rough weather in his life. The trials and tribulations of business, his lengthy struggle with cancer, his wife's hard-fought battle with ALS, these were just some of the storms that raged through his life. In all cases, he handled these situations with equanimity, unfailing kindness, and an eternal optimism. If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it safe in port forever. Dave, in his wisdom, knew that sitting in port is not the place for a boat. One of his final acts was to donate a beautiful CL 16 sailboat to an indigenous youth group as a vessel for kids to have their own adventures on the waters he adored.
Dave will be missed by family and friends for his courage, his convictions, his loving heart, and his unfailing moral compass. For those who wish, donations in his memory may be made to the "Wendy Ernst Journey to Success Award," administered by the Halton Learning Foundation. Dave established this scholarship to honour his wife and contributions would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Dave's legacy is, and will continue to be, woven through our lives.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 19th at the Burlington Golf and Country Club from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
www.smithsfh.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Hamilton Spectator on Feb. 24, 2023.
Memories and Condolences
for David ERNST
5 Entries
Betty Anne Millar
March 25, 2023
Dear Chris & Allison
Your Father will be so missed at St. C's. It was a
privilege to know him, such a caring man.
Marilyn Heintz
March 19, 2023
Dave ernst had a boat next to the beal family. sorry for your loss chris.my husband died the week after
Marilyn
Gerry & Dot Anthony
March 1, 2023
Chris & Ali
We will miss our dad beyond words. He was a great friend and wonderful soul. His ability to live his life without complaint was indeed something to behold.
Gerry & Dot
John Reszitnyk
February 26, 2023
Dave was a great friend and mentor. He is missed every day. All of us from the various groups he worked and met with at St. Christopher's are better for having known him.
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