Obituary of Ernest Victor Kachur
Surrounded by the love of his family, it is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ernest Kachur, on Tuesday April 15, 2025 at the age of 83. Beloved husband of 61 years to Angela (Bienkowski) and loving father to Joseph, Starlene and Melissa. Devoted grandfather to Amanda Balz, Jarrett Balz, Miracle DeRaaf and Rhianna Kachur. Brother to Iran (Pat) Kachur of Dundurn, Saskatchewan and much-loved sister Elffie (Jim) Zimmer of Regina Beach, Saskatchewan. As a treasured uncle and great-uncle, he touched the lives of many nephews and nieces across Australia, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario. He is predeceased by his parents, Michael and Stella Kachur, brothers Cleve of Regina and Elmer of Surrey, British Columbia, his In-laws Anton and Minnie Bienkowski and sisters-in-law Eugenia Mencfeld and Elveana Kamin.
Born in Wadena, Saskatchewan on May 25, 1941, Ernest was raised on a wheat farm in the Holar District of Elfros, Saskatchwan, where he developed an admirable work ethic from a young age. Three days after his 15th birthday, his father passed away leaving him to care for his mother and two younger siblings. Ernest had to finish planting the spring crop and, having to leave school, he took over the responsibilities of running the farm with his mother. It was during this time that he learned how to fix machinery and to make all repairs related to the farm. At age 16, he famously devised a creative solution to preserve the old drafty farm house by using washed out oil cans for siding then painting them white.
A new chapter in Ernest’s life began when he moved to St. Catharines and got a job at General Motors on the Assembly Line. With the responsibility of a growing family, while working full time, he pursued night school courses for 2 years in order to obtain his high school diploma. From all those years of fixing things on his family farm, it naturally led him to become a Machine Repair in the Skilled Trades. He retired from GM in 2001. Not wanting to lose the close friendships of his fellow workers, Ernest took it upon himself to plan and organize the General Motors Skilled Trades Retirees Christmas Dinner held annually for 15 years at the Mandarin Restaurant.
Ernest was deeply committed to community service becoming a member of the GM Volunteer Fire Department and became a member of St. John Ambulance where he dedicated over a thousand hours of volunteer service. With his leadership as Superintendent, the 109 Brigade earned many trophies and awards for the unit and himself. He proudly solicited and obtained from General Motors a much-needed St. John Ambulance van. Post retirement, Ernest became Chairman of the St. John Ambulance Fellowship from 2008 until his passing.
Ernest became a proud Scout Leader with the 22nd St. Columba Cubs and Scouts, where he inspired members to earn their badges and pursue the prestigious Canada Cord. He enjoyed the outdoor excursions at Wetaskiwin and Haliburton Camps. There is a plaque at Camp Wetaskiwin, with his and other leader’s names that honours their contributions to Scouting.
Other volunteer activities included working with Out of the Cold at Silver Spire Church, and helping with school functions. In 2012, Ernest joined St. Mary of the Assumption Knights of Columbus becoming a Fourth Degree Knight and Grand Knight. He happily took on the role of pancake chef during their breakfasts. He enjoyed every part of being a Knight and he would often say, “it was a joy, not a task to work along side the best group of men one could ever work with. “
However, his greatest sense of pride was his family. Ernest worked hard to provide often working two jobs to ensure they did not go without. His strong work ethic was admired and passed down to his three children. They were always in awe of his ability to create or fix anything. God blessed him with hard working hands and provided him with a natural talent when it came to repairing or creating things, whether it was a fine gold chain, appliances, snow blowers, cars, or even fences, there was nothing he could not handle. Nothing stayed broken for long. He would tackle every job with love, even if it was changing diapers or cleaning out a cat box.
Ernest’s greatest achievement came out of the love for his grandchildren. There wasn’t anything “Papa” would not do for his four little ones. As his family was growing, he realized that the current cottage on Big Mink Lake was too small to have all the family there at once. After retirement and with very little help, he tore down the old cottage and built a 5-bedroom, 2-bathroom cottage complete with a large kitchen, rec room and billiard room, doing the work inside and out with his own hands. He created an outdoor play space for the grandkids and was proud to have the greenest grass on his side of the lake. The memories he made with his own children of snowmobiling, fishing, water tubing, playing badminton, tobogganing, and four-wheeling at the sand pit were also the same memories made with his grandchildren. He never missed an opportunity to support his grandchildren and could be found cheering at soccer or hockey games and never missed a dance recital.
Ernest loved the outdoors. You could find him at 6 a.m. watering his grass and flowers or shovelling snow. He will be missed by all the dogs walking down the street who always paused in his driveway looking for him and the treats he had in his pocket. His two furry adopted pets, Maya and Holly will miss their daily walks with him.
Visitation will be on Monday, April 21st from 5pm to 8pm at George Darte Funeral Chapel. Vigil Prayers at 6 p.m.
Funeral will take place on Tuesday April 22nd at St. Mary of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church in St. Catharines at 11:00 a.m.
Donations can be made to St. John Ambulance or to St. Mary of the Assumption Church.