Ernest Alfred Sieber passed away at Mt. Cartier Court on September 20, 2011 after 85 years full of adventure, dedication and love of family, work and nature. He was born in the village of Reichenbach, in the Kandertal, Bernese Oberland, Switzerland.
After immigrating to Canada in 1950, he worked and lived in numerous locations in Quebec, Labrador, the eastern arctic, New Brunswick, the Yukon and finally from 1980 on, in Revelstoke, B.C. He was employed by private contractors and later by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, as a supervisor of construction at the U.S. airbase in Goose Bay Labrador and in communities on Baffin Island, Ellsemere Island and in Arctic Quebec. In addition he worked in collaboration with Inuit as an administrator and economic development officer in several arctic communities. In 1972 he joined Parks Canada as a General Works Manager for Kouchibouquqac National Park in New Brunswick. In 1973 he became Operations Manager and later Superintendent of Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island. In 1978 he moved to Kluane National Park as General Works Manager. He became General Works Manager for Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks in 1980. Retirement in 1988 gave him time to hike, ski and generally enjoy the Revelstoke area with family and friends.
Ernst was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Klara, brothers- Peter, Emile, Osckar, and Adolph, sisters – Lydia, Frieda, Erna, and Hildi. He is survived by sisters Klara and Hanni, and brother Fritz all of Switzerland. Also surviving are his wife Patricia, and children Stéphane (Monique) of Switzerland, Carl (Silva) of Ucluelet, B.C, Erica (Murray) of Tumbler Ridge, B.C. and Claire of Revelstoke.
A celebration of Life service will be held on October 10 at 11:00 at the Revelstoke United Church. In lieu of flowers those wishing to remember Ernst may contribute to the Revelstoke Foundation or to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, P.O. Box 26011, STN BRM B, Toronto, Ontario, M7Y 4S1, or to a charity of their choice
Cremation arrangements are in the care of Brandon Bowers Funeral Home.
