BINGO ERNST

1926 - 2013

Lloyd John Ernst, beloved husband of Aiko Ernst, passed away peacefully in Taber, with his family by his side, on Friday, September 13, 2013 at the age of 86 years. His passing was due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. Bingo never complained, though he suffered greatly the last few months.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, September 19, 2013 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and also at the church prior to the funeral service on Friday, September 20, 2013 between 12:00 P.M. and 12:40 P.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. Burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Aiko, he is survived by his children Steve (Melyn) Campbell of Salt Lake City, Utah; Dean (Tracy) Ernst; Susan (Keith) Williams of Taber; Carolyn (Rod) Friedy of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Donna (Doug) MacIntyre of Herring Cove, Nova Scotia; Judy Ernst (Sherwyn Bartzen) of Calgary and daughter-in-law Laurel Lee Ernst of Vancouver, British Columbia; eighteen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his twin sister Shirley Dougal of Halifax, Nova Scotia, sister Dale Banfield of Hamilton, Ontario, his former wife Beverly Steinman and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his son Pat Ernst of Vancouver, British Columbia in 2008; his first wife Nancy Ernst (nee Atkins) in 1957; brothers-in-law Norm Dougal and Fred Banfield.
Bingo was born on November 22, 1926 in Halifax, Nova Scotia and never forgot where he came from. He was a true “Maritimer”. At the age of seventeen, he started his hockey career. At the age of eighteen, Bingo was given an opportunity to tryout with the Boston Bruins farm team, the Boston Olympics. He played semi-pro hockey for several years with different teams all over Eastern Canada. His position was defence. Bingo was tough, disciplined and known for hard, but clean hitting. He loved to chat with everyone on the ice including the opposing players, referees and his teammates, while he played the game. At the age of thirty two, Bingo’s career ended with a broken neck after being shoved into the boards. He never complained.
Bingo had many jobs throughout his lifetime, all self taught. He was a man of many talents and could fix anything. In 1986, the family moved from Quebec to Calgary. He tried to grow a garden and was not very successful but how he loved his sunflowers. He retired in 1996 and moved to St George, Utah. He loved the warm winters and made many true friends there. In 2001, Bingo married Aiko Tsuji.
Bingo started working on his family history. He became a temple volunteer worker and this became his “job”. Bingo went every day except Sunday and then attended church that day. He was very dedicated. Soon, Bingo was called to be a temple ordinance worker, taking on several shifts each week. He continued in this calling for many years until his health would not allow him to continue. Wherever he went, he would walk into a room and would go around shaking everyone’s hand. Bingo was very friendly and loved to talk and tell stories. He loved to listen to music, enjoyed dancing and singing even though he couldn’t carry a tune. He had many trials throughout his life but persevered through them all and never gave up. He set an example for his family and friends to follow. Bingo was honest to a fault. He always said what he thought and would argue his point of view but respected his opponent. Bingo and Aiko moved back to Alberta in 2009 for health reasons. He entered the Linden View Assisted Living facility two years ago.
Good bye Dad, we will missed you, rest in peace.
If friends so desire, memorial tribute’s in Lloyd’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society, 402, 740 - 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0N9 (www.alzheimer.ca).
The family would like to extend their thanks to all the doctors, nurses and personal care givers, for their care and understanding during the past two and a half years.