|
Ernie was born and grew up in Winnipeg and was a policeman for the C.N.R. before and after serving in the war. As a boy, he helped the undertaker handle his horses, learning to love horses and to get interested in the undertaking business.
When his pass on the railway came through he used it to come and have a look at the Peace River Country. He must have liked what he saw because he sent the pass back and stayed. That was 1943.
In this fast-growing booming town of the 40's, Ernie saw jobs to be done and services to supply. He hauled water, filling the kitchen barrel in town homes, or rushing to a fire with his tanker loaded with water. He even drove the 'Honey Wagon.'
When Doctor Brown, the Indian Agent, left Fort St. John, Ernie Carriere filled in for 18 months before Joe Galibois arrived. He got into the ambulance business in a similar way. A man was killed on the highway and Ernie used his panel truck to bring the body in to town. In 1946 he bought an ambulance, his first aid training coming in handy on the calls.
Ernie was the fist Class A gas fitter in the town when the flow of natural gas changed Fort St. John from a coal and wood burning town to gas. In the latter part of his life, he didn't do plumbing anymore but kept his ticket, "just in case."
Whenever a parade took place in the North Peace, you would find Ernie Carriere leading it on his spirited horse. He was truly a jack of all trades.
Ernie passed away Sept. 13, 1984 at the age of 74. The photo here shows Ernie in the buffalo coat he received during his police days in Winnipeg. Upon his passing, the coat was given to the Fort St. John - North Peace Museum by his daughters.
[ Back ][ Main Index ][ People Index ][ Next ]