November 14, 1935 – February 15, 2018
Albert Ethier, born on November 14, 1935, left this earth on February 15, 2018, to join his angels. He was surrounded by family. Those left to cherish wonderful memories are his wife, Terry, and their daughter, Danika (John); his children, Rita, Anita (Kelly), Roger (Michelle), Evelyn (Graham), Bernice (Ray), Guy (Bonnie) and Celeste (Helton); the mother of his children, Lorraine; grandchildren, Dustin (Sara), Chelsie (Ryan), Jade, Hope, Tate, Dawson, Autumn, Stuart (Rachel), Jaris (Adam), Tyler, Ryan (Kim), Karmyn, Lexus, Dillon, Blake, Reese, Taryn, Joshua, Kaze and Zoey; Terry’s children, Jamie (Brock), Quinton (Chantelle), and Letizia; great grandchildren; brothers, Lorenzo (Linda), Eddy; sisters, Carmen, Yvette (Jean); special niece, Jeanine; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.
The beauty of a life well lived is it never dies. It continues to embrace and inspire us. Dad has touched so many lives, and he will continue to be a part of who we are. Although Dad had a full and interesting life, he was most proud of his relationship with God and his family.
Coming from humble beginnings, he never took anything for granted. A soft-spoken man with a thirst for accomplishment, he always understood the dignity of a hard day’s work. His adventures included, the beginning of High-Line Electric, High-Line Construction, High-Line Airways, the acquisition of Norcanair Airlines, the formation of Sun102 Radio, and many years of contracting. His work ethic was beyond measure, and he continued to love a full day’s work until just before Christmas.
Dad travelled abroad, making deals and meeting people. He embraced life with no ego. He was a fearless, strong-willed man. We have heard countless interesting stories (some of which have just been revealed as of recent). Our dad: Risk taker, dream maker, best described as a little sunshine- a little hurricane!
Dad’s passion and hobby in life was flying. The freedom and exhilaration he experienced when flying his King Air (whether transporting employees or living on the edge and flying low over neighbors’ homes and landing in farmers’ fields), and his Learjet (the joy of flying his mother to Palm Springs, to his vacation home, and the memory of flying his niece to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester to keep her alive) were humbling, fulfilling and proud times for him.
A man of great intellect, a man who loved to live on the edge, had an amazing journey. It is not the years in your life, but the life in your years. How fortunate that Dad could experience both, with dignity and pride.
Dad has been blessed to have such an amazingly close knit and large family, who were all by his side until the end. Dad was blessed to share many years of true love and friendship with Terry and with their gift of Danika. In the last few years he began to enjoy the simple things in life, like getting together for coffee or lunch dates, boat rides on the pontoon, having the kids over for a skidoo ride, or having dinner with the family, and the occasional Black Russian. Both him and the family cherished these simple, but important memories.
The family asks that instead of sending flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.
A celebration of Albert’s life will be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at St. Isidore Roman Catholic Church, Bellevue, SK. Interment will take place at St. Laurent Cemetery. Arrangements are in care of Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK. (306-232-5245, http://www.funksfuneralhome.ca).
Hi Anita,
My name is Don Haleschuk, Kelowna BC. P.A. native and brother to Donna Cassidy.
Hadn’t heard of your dad passing till much too late or certainly woukve madw every effort to attend in remembrance and respect. A Capt my co silences please, I greatly admired your father and sincerely aspired to mold my limited skills to even a degree of his. After an over 40yr career in aviation, i can honestly say that Albert stands out as perhaps easily, the most naturally gifted aviators I’ve ever worked with…and I’ve flown with thousands of good men!
Anyway, hope and trust your life is as fruitful and fulfilling as was your dad’s.
P.S. he and I trained together for 2wks in Witchita for Learjet EEN after he’d previously hired me to fly SCL ( the Baron)
I remember flying from PA to Winning one -40 degree January day and he opted to handfly the Lear to a crazy 45,000′! It was only certified to 41,000′ but that was him. Always daring, original and fearless of outer limits.
I’m honored to have been a part of his life and blessed to have had him in mine.
To the Ethier family, I travelled to Africa with Albert in 99 and once flew a plane to Caracus Venuzuella to meet him there. I remember enjoying a few Black Russians with him on a British airways flight from London to Entebbe too.
Ken Hamilton
Lorenzo, just want you to know that I am thinking of you. I thank God for the wonderful memories, and I expect you to give me the gears next time we meet. Albert would expect no less. Prends soin.
Terry and family, our deepest condolences to you all. It’s been so good to see you build a wonderful life together all of these years. Your family life and faith have always inspired us. Doug, Florence and family
To the Ethier Family, please accept our sincerest condolences with the passing of Albert.
Albert hired me to fly his DH-4, Beech 55 and Beech 100. This got me out of the arctic and then over to Time Air.
He was a great man to work for and he will surely be missed by the Aviation Community.
Albert has slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings. This is the first part of John Gillespie Magee Jr’s poem called high flight.
John S. “Bushy” Beishuizen
Terry, Danika and family please accept our sincerest condolences.
They say people come into your life for a reason and we are so glad that we were able to have Albert come into ours. Even though our friendship was just for the past few years it felt like a wonderful lifetime. Albert was a business man who had so many great stories to tell. He was also a man with infinite wisdom. The man we knew was humble, he didn’t brag about his successes or failures in life. When he did say something I believe it was for wisdom and advice to those who would listen. My husband Harv I guess you can say was fascinated by Albert and wanted to spend more time with him not just for advice but for the friendship. Even though in different ways these two men had so much in common. One evening we had the privilege of sitting with Albert and Terry at a local fundraiser. The twinkle I saw in both men’s eyes was truly delightful as they both discussed their business adventures and the things that mattered to them in life. Sorry we never did get together for that steak and wine with you and Terry. Thank you to the family for allowing us to say our goodbyes to you before you passed. May you Rest In Peace Albert and fly high with the angels.
Harv and Elaine Britton
Dear Anita and family, We are thinking of you during this difficult time. (We are away but will contact you in a few weeks.) A very lovely obituary. Deepest sympathy.Suzanne and Dan Hunter
En mémoire des soupers qu’Albert allaient prendre chez papa et maman lors de voyages d’affaires à Montréal.
Mes salutations particulières à Lorraine et Terry qui ont reçu mes parents lors de leurs visites dans l’ouest. Salutations aussi à Céleste qui est restée chez moi quelques jours suite à un séjour à Québec.
Mes salutations particulieres à Gervaise en mémoire de notre voyage dans les Rocheuses avec l’auto prêtée par Albert, la maman d’Albert et mes parents.
Mes sympathies
Lucie Gaudet
To the Ethier family ; We are very saddened to hear of your loss . Albert was a man of many talents & a very hard worker but we don’t think he considered it work . He had a great love of life & we are all going to miss him . Ashley & Marilyn Quayle .
Anita, Rita and family. I am saddened to hear of the loss of your Father. He was a great and wonderful man who did so much in his life while positively impacting all those who worked for him, knew him and spent time with him. May your families feel blessed and comforted to have had such a wonderful Father to remember who was a pillar of our community and a huge contributor to Prince Albert and area.
Sincerely,
Jim Haleschuk
Dear Terry, Danika and family,
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow.
Love from Bob, Betty Jenny, Kim and Heather Bourdon