15 Jun 1971 – 9th April 2024 (52)
2 PPCLI
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ernest John Edward Whelan, 52, of Winnipeg Manitoba, he passed away suddenly on 9 April 2024.
Ernie was a kind hearted, dedicated and fun-loving soul and will be missed by all that knew him as a father, husband, son, brother and friend.
Ernie was born on 15 June 1971 to Gerald and Catherine Whelan in New Brunswick. In 1990 Ernie joined the Canadian Armed Forces. Upon graduation from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Battle School in Wainwright, AB; he was posted to Winnipeg, MB and the 2nd Battalion PPCLI. He spent time in both A and C Companies but is most remembered for his time in Combat Support Company, Recce Platoon. He was influential in the guidance and development of many young up and coming Recce Patrolmen. His infectious humour and ability to see the positive when a mission was challenged by circumstance out of his control, provided confidence and morale to many soldiers who looked up to him as a leader amongst warriors. Ernie was a decorated soldier completing three overseas tours of duty with the United Nations and NATO joint forces in the war-torn country of the former Yugoslavia.
In 1998, Ernie met Sheri at a friend’s wedding social in Winnipeg where Sheri was asked to act as a fill-in bridesmaid to dance with groomsman Ernie during the wedding party dance. They were married in 2001 and their son Tristan was born in 2008. Although they were divorced and Ernie was single at the time of his passing, Ernie and Sheri maintained a uniquely close relationship. Ernie had many accomplishments but viewed being Tristan’s father as the greatest position he could ever hold.
After serving with the Canadian Army, he found a new challenge in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a Search and Rescue Technician. He completed SAR selection in February 2003 and started Search and Rescue Training in Comox, B.C. with eleven other candidates on course 36. This tight knit team would become lifetime friends through the vigorous land, air and sea training. His peers admired his large humorous personality and attention to detail while completing complex life-saving tasks. His first position as a SAR Tech was at 435 Squadron in Winnipeg MB and Sheri and Ernie were posted back to Winnipeg.
Ernie was diagnosed with diabetes shortly after the birth of his son and was removed from SAR operations. He was temporarily posted to the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training and taught survival techniques and escape and evasion for the RCAF. Ernie’s chronic health condition became a formidable challenge. He volunteered his time to educate the Canadian Forces and public on how to function as a diabetic through various initiatives such as Gliding Thru Barriers, where he skied across Lake Winnipeg to raise awareness. And after a long battle with the CF, he succeeded in changing outdated military laws around members with diabetes, single-handedly changing the fate of all diabetics in the military forever.
In 2014 Ernie retired from the CF and spent his time seeking opportunities to spend time in the outdoors and focused on raising his son alongside Sheri and her husband Troy.
Ernie is survived by his ex-wife and best friend Sheri, their son Tristan, his mom and dad Cathy and Gerry, his brothers Pat, Doug, Gerry and David, and his sisters Suzanne and Tina.
A memorial service and reception will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Ave. on 27 April 2024 at 2:00 p.m. CST followed by at social gathering at Flea Whiskeys at 5:30 p.m. CST.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diabetes Canada, http://crm2.diabetes.ca/goto/Ernie_Whelan
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/chapellawn/obituaries/ernest-john-edward-whelan/122721.html
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