William Ernest Ottewell passed away peacefully at Queen Victoria Hospital on January 20th at the age of 89 years.
Ernie has requested no formal service. A tea will be held in the Spring. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Revelstoke Railway Museum P.O. Box 3018, Revelstoke, B.C. V0E 2S0.
Thanks to the doctors, nurses and all staff at QVH, also thanks to the Homecare Ladies and Meals on Wheels which enabled our dad to keep his independence.
Ernie was born August 4, 1926 in Edmonton. He spent most of his life in Revelstoke. Throughout his life he had a thirst for knowledge whether it be gardening, volunteering, reading, building his house, or modeling steam engines.
Ernie started his railway career in 1943. Some of the highlights were having the honour of running the first full train through the Macdonald tunnel in the Rogers Pass. He was the engineer on the 1201 for the 100th anniversary of the Last Spike. He was heavily involved with the Revelstoke Railway Museum since its inception, bringing out the steam engine 5468 from Montreal.
Ernie was predeceased by his wife Winnifred and sister Marge. Ernie is survived by Karen (Dave) Bradbury, Bill Ottewell, Janice (Dan) McNutt and grandchildren Sam and Jodie, as well his partner Joyce Rasmussen who accompanied him through his later years.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Ernie’s family by viewing his obituary at www.brandonbowersfuneralhome.com.
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home, Revelstoke.