Obituary of Ernie M. Metzger

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Ernie M. Metzger C.P.A., C.A.     
January 12, 1945 - November 9 2024
In Loving Memory   

Our Husband, Father, Grandfather, great grandfather passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2024, after a long battle with dementia.  Beloved husband of Helen (Yoder) Metzger for 58 years.  Dear father of Sheila, Brian, Kevin, and Tara.  He is lovingly remembered by his 7 grandchildren Kayla, Nathan, Alayna, Emily, Amy, Adam, Isabella and one great-granddaughter, Klara.  A brother and brother-in-law of Vera Martin, Rebecca Cressman, Erma and Ken Baker, Marie and Ernie Fretz, Marlene and Murray Baker, Doris Metzger and Mary Metzger.  Predeceased by his parents George & Nancy (Martin), brothers Vernon, Stanley, John and Emanuel, sisters-in-law Dorothy, Rosemarie and Alice, and brothers-in-law Nelson and Curtis.

Ernie grew up in Heidelberg and moved to Waterloo where he and Helen bought their first home and began to raise a family.  Ernie was devoted to his profession as a Chartered Accountant. In addition to maintaining a private accounting practice all of his professional life, he became Controller of Lou’s Bearings & Transmission Ltd., which then evolved into becoming an operating Partner.  Throughout many travels as a member of the Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA), he met many people and became the President of the Administrative Management Society (AMS).

Ernie was very active in the community and always giving of his time.  He served as a volunteer Treasurer for Erb Street Mennonite Church through much of the 1990s; a member of the Mennonite Conference of Eastern Canada; and Board Member at the Mennonite Credit and Savings Union (now Kindred Credit Union) for 10 years.

Ernie loved to sing.  He was a Life Member with the Waterloo Regional Police Chorus for over 30 years, with many years serving on the Executive Board as President, Secretary, Treasurer.  He also served on many committees from fish fry fundraisers and trip committees to organizing Chorus trips to England and Eastern Canada.

Ernie’s large family of brothers and sisters were always an important part of his life.  He wanted to take a special trip with each one of his siblings, which he did--exploring far off lands such as Alaska, Venezuela, Panama.  He especially loved playing horseshoes with his brothers until the wee hours of the night.

Ernie loved to bowl.  He bowled every week for decades in various leagues and eventually formed his own league at Victoria Bowl before the pandemic struck. 

After he retired when Lou’s Bearings was sold to a large US corporation, he was able to devote extra time to his grandchildren who gave him much joy with fun, especially at their cottage at Fisherman’s cove, and driving the pontoon boat around the lake. 

Always very social and interested in other people’s lives, Ernie would talk to anybody, and made friends very easily, and would often have some tax advice for anyone who was so inclined to ask.

We are truly grateful for the doctors, nurses, medical professionals and all of the home care professionals that cared for him at home, just where he wanted to be.  We are immensely thankful for the loving courage Helen and family to find strength during the longest days during his journey with dementia.

Ernie will be dearly missed by his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched.  There will remain a piece of him in all of our hearts.

A Visitation will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at Erb St. Mennonite Church, 131 Erb St. W, Waterloo on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. A link to the livestream will be available on the funeral home’s website. A private interment will take place at Erb St. Mennonite Cemetery.

Condolences for the family and donations to the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC Ontario) may be arranged through www.erbgood.com.