Ervin Hugh Hilliard

Ervin Hugh Hilliard, 83, of Edmonton (Tofield), Alberta, passed away, Tuesday, July 17, 2018 surrounded by his loving wife Emily and family. Erv was born January 21, 1935 in Flin Flon, Manitoba, to Henry and Elsie (Larson) Hilliard. He graduated from Hapnot Collegiate in 1953. On August 03, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart Emily (Bogash) in Flin Flon. Upon graduating high school Erv began his career at Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting in Flin Flon. He entered the Stationary Engineering program and achieved the highest level of First Class in 1969. Erv focused on the program all while raising a family of four. His dedication paid off in 1973 when he was promoted to Superintendent of the Powerhouse. This came with incredible responsibility but also much respect from all who worked with him. Through his dedication and many years of service Erv was able to retire for HBMS at 53. He remained at HBMS as a consultant for another 5 years at which time he decided he was not done working. He looked for a facility that would have less dependence on him, so he could focus more on his wife and ever-growing family. He moved to Altona, Manitoba, where he worked for CanAmera Foods at their Canola processing plant for another 17 years. During this time, the family cabin was maintained at Denare beach Saskatchewan where Erv spent his time fishing, boating, waterskiing, golfing and otherwise enjoying the long summers with his family. During winters, Erv and Emily split their time between Altona, Barbados, Hawaii, Jamaica and Mexico. He retired, once again, from CanAmera in 2010 at the age of 75. CanAmera begged him to stay, but after 57 years it was time to hang up his hard hat. Erv decided to move closer to his family located in BC and Alberta and took up residency in Tofield, Alberta. This still gave him and Emily the small town feel that they loved yet was close to his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Erv's final move was to a Retirement Condo in Edmonton where he and the Little One felt safe and happy. Erv is survived by his loving wife of 62 beautiful years Emily (Bogash), his four children Cheryl (Choochie), Wanda (Windy), Paul (Paulywog) and Karen (FogHorn), sons-in-law and daughter-in-law, Curtis Romaniuk (Cheryl), Fred Gruenheidt (Wanda), Lucille Kowalchuk (Paul) and Gord Poschwatta (Karen), six grandchildren Tara Langhans (Graeme), Theresa Fryer (Mike), Jennifer Langhans, Lyndsey Sibulak (Jason), James Gruenheidt (CJ) and Lisa Romaniuk, six (seven in January) great grandchildren Riley, Jaxon, Kayla, Evelyn, Elizabeth and Abigail, sister Mavis, brother-in-law Allan (Shirley), brother-in-law Dennis and many nieces and nephews. Erv was predeceased by his mother and father, Elsie and Henry, mother- and father-in-law, Nellie and Alex, sister Darlene, sister-in-law Gaye, brothers-in-law Frank, Jack, Bill. Erv will be dearly missed by his loving family and many friends. Services will be held at 14:00 on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Evergreen Funeral Home located 16204 Fort Road N.W. Edmonton Alberta. Memorial donations may be made for Parkinsons support at http://parkinsonassociation.ca/ or other Parkinsons related programs.

Service Information

Friday, July 27th, 2018 2:00pm, Evergreen Funeral Home