Obituary for Earl Milford Tweedie
Earl Tweedie 85 of Devlin ON passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on Feb 2, 2022. It was somewhat ironic it was ”Groundhog Day” as he was an avid animal lover. Especially his many dogs over the years. His current dog Sparkles has been adopted by his son Mark so Dad could still enjoy time with her. Dad also adopted his sister Joyce’s dog Clover when she passed who predeceased him 2015. His love of animals to could be seen in his donations to Wildlife Federation, SPCA.
Earl was a hardworking man all of his life. He worked in many different areas over his career. He worked in Logging camps, cutting wood or driving truck. He drove dump truck for his Dad. He worked for Goodyear Tire Plant in Toronto, The Boilermakers union in Toronto, with help from his brother Raymond, The Shipyards in Thunder Bay, where he and his brother were exposed to asbestos which his brother at a young age would succumb to and Dad diagnosed with later. Earl also worked for Hydro in Southern ON and in Thunder Bay. He found his passion was in welding and September 27th, 1965 he joined Local #628 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in Thunder Bay where he would travel away to most jobs most of his life in Building Trades or Pipeline. He did work and live in Fort Frances in the 70’s also during construction of the Kraft Mill. His career took him all over Canada and some of the United States. He worked and lived in Thunder Bay most of his life until another job he took in Fort Frances in the 80s. While working there he rekindled an old friendship and would marry his wife Rosanna. He sold his home in Thunder Bay and made the move to Devlin to the Farm until they would build a beautiful home together in Devlin in 1993 building garage first for storage then the house. He retired in 1996 and just took an occasional short-term job. It was always a joke that these Pipeline guys never really retired it was always just “one more” job.
Earl’s passion truly was welding. You would often find him outside with a cold beer tinkering away rebuilding or fixing some project. Torches or his Welding Rig or machine always close by. He was also a decent mechanic. Many people he rescued over the years and most of us kids at some point would call on him for help. He had literally his own parts store in the back yard and would amaze us knowing exactly where things were. Earl always had a collection of vehicles in his yard that were his “projects”. He had acquired a gravel pit and a dump truck with some other “toys” that kept him busy hauling material or contracting. He could be found at the pit playing in his big “sandbox” It was a place he loved to go. He would also tell stories of the critters he had seen. Recent years it was a really big bear that ran out in front of his truck and apparently it was huge. It was a hobby that filled in the time after retiring.
Dad played hard too over his life. He had many interests, many stories of fishing the Nipigon River when he was younger, he loved stock cars and would spend spare time helping get the cars ready, then he would race at the Riverview Race track. Other interests he really enjoyed were bowling, curling, golf, &camping. We travelled a lot of Ontario as young kids when school was out and the camper was packed and off we’d go to whatever town Dad was to work in. Another interest later in life you would often find him at many of Telford’s Auctions or drooling over a Ritchie Brothers Auction magazine. We all know his favourite saying after being at an auction was ” well it was a hell of a deal”! Boy there were way too many deals out there! Earl was also a member of the local Royal Canadian Legion Br#29 for many years, he transferred his membership from Br#5 in Thunder Bay. On Fridays you could usually find him buying tickets for the “meat draw” which he did win several times over the years, or the attendance draw, as he loved a little gamble. He would help out driving at some of the Legion events or doing the Poppy drive. He and Rosanna were regulars at the monthly suppers as well.
Earl had a sense of humour but also a big heart and never wanted to see people in need and would be seen passing someone a “few bucks” for food, or whatever they may need. He was always on the ready if someone needed help with anything. For all of us kids or grandkids he was there when needed and was always helping us out with one thing or another.
Earl is survived by wife Rosanna, his sons Robert(Carol), Mark and daughter Leslie Bell(Andrew Watson) and her children Ashley&Ryan Pierce(Ryder”Tiger”& Daxton “Smiley Jack”), Ryan Bell, his Sister Arlene Nolan of Surrey BC, Brother in law George Monkhouse of Thunder Bay, Brother in Law Alcide DeGagne of Ottawa ON, Sister-in-law & Brother-In-Law Jeanne and Ed Kaun and numerous nieces and nephews.
Stepchildren- Leslie&Erin Caul(Kristina&Jason Cassie&Nathan, Alyssa&Nathan, Dawson&Sydney), Lissa Marchuk(Chris Pentney)(Jeffrey& Megan, Colton&Emily, Reece&Megan Marchuk), Son in law Mark Marchuk, Ross&Ginny Caul(Nathan, Chantal &James, Braeden &Riley ), Michael Caul(Jeremy &Jaimie, Jessica), Marty Caul, Lorne&Bonnie(Stephen, Cody& Chrisanne) and numerous great grandchildren.
Earl was predeceased by wife Shirley (1976), His parents Milford”Harry”(1987)&Edith(1996), Brothers, Robert”Bobby”Tweedie (1974),Raymond Tweedie (1998) , Ron Tweedie (2003), Sisters Joyce Stirrup (2006), Margaret Monkhouse(2013), Son in law Martin Bell(1995) Stepson Brad Caul(2014)
As per Earl’s request, a private interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Thunder Bay at a later date.
If desired memorial donations may be made to the Fort Frances Royal Canadian Legion Br#29 or the Kenora Rainy River District Alzheimer's Society by cheque, c\o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89 Emo, ON P0W1E0.
Gone Fishin
I've finished life's chores assigned to me,
So put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I've been invited to the fishin' hole.
Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don't worry, or feel sad for me,
I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea.
We will miss each other for awhile,
But you will come and bring your smile.
That won't be long you will see,
Till we're together you and me.
To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I'm missin'
Just tell 'em I've gone fishin'
By Delmar Pepper
Forever missed and never forgotten.
Loved Always, your family
Earl was a hardworking man all of his life. He worked in many different areas over his career. He worked in Logging camps, cutting wood or driving truck. He drove dump truck for his Dad. He worked for Goodyear Tire Plant in Toronto, The Boilermakers union in Toronto, with help from his brother Raymond, The Shipyards in Thunder Bay, where he and his brother were exposed to asbestos which his brother at a young age would succumb to and Dad diagnosed with later. Earl also worked for Hydro in Southern ON and in Thunder Bay. He found his passion was in welding and September 27th, 1965 he joined Local #628 Plumbers and Pipefitters Union in Thunder Bay where he would travel away to most jobs most of his life in Building Trades or Pipeline. He did work and live in Fort Frances in the 70’s also during construction of the Kraft Mill. His career took him all over Canada and some of the United States. He worked and lived in Thunder Bay most of his life until another job he took in Fort Frances in the 80s. While working there he rekindled an old friendship and would marry his wife Rosanna. He sold his home in Thunder Bay and made the move to Devlin to the Farm until they would build a beautiful home together in Devlin in 1993 building garage first for storage then the house. He retired in 1996 and just took an occasional short-term job. It was always a joke that these Pipeline guys never really retired it was always just “one more” job.
Earl’s passion truly was welding. You would often find him outside with a cold beer tinkering away rebuilding or fixing some project. Torches or his Welding Rig or machine always close by. He was also a decent mechanic. Many people he rescued over the years and most of us kids at some point would call on him for help. He had literally his own parts store in the back yard and would amaze us knowing exactly where things were. Earl always had a collection of vehicles in his yard that were his “projects”. He had acquired a gravel pit and a dump truck with some other “toys” that kept him busy hauling material or contracting. He could be found at the pit playing in his big “sandbox” It was a place he loved to go. He would also tell stories of the critters he had seen. Recent years it was a really big bear that ran out in front of his truck and apparently it was huge. It was a hobby that filled in the time after retiring.
Dad played hard too over his life. He had many interests, many stories of fishing the Nipigon River when he was younger, he loved stock cars and would spend spare time helping get the cars ready, then he would race at the Riverview Race track. Other interests he really enjoyed were bowling, curling, golf, &camping. We travelled a lot of Ontario as young kids when school was out and the camper was packed and off we’d go to whatever town Dad was to work in. Another interest later in life you would often find him at many of Telford’s Auctions or drooling over a Ritchie Brothers Auction magazine. We all know his favourite saying after being at an auction was ” well it was a hell of a deal”! Boy there were way too many deals out there! Earl was also a member of the local Royal Canadian Legion Br#29 for many years, he transferred his membership from Br#5 in Thunder Bay. On Fridays you could usually find him buying tickets for the “meat draw” which he did win several times over the years, or the attendance draw, as he loved a little gamble. He would help out driving at some of the Legion events or doing the Poppy drive. He and Rosanna were regulars at the monthly suppers as well.
Earl had a sense of humour but also a big heart and never wanted to see people in need and would be seen passing someone a “few bucks” for food, or whatever they may need. He was always on the ready if someone needed help with anything. For all of us kids or grandkids he was there when needed and was always helping us out with one thing or another.
Earl is survived by wife Rosanna, his sons Robert(Carol), Mark and daughter Leslie Bell(Andrew Watson) and her children Ashley&Ryan Pierce(Ryder”Tiger”& Daxton “Smiley Jack”), Ryan Bell, his Sister Arlene Nolan of Surrey BC, Brother in law George Monkhouse of Thunder Bay, Brother in Law Alcide DeGagne of Ottawa ON, Sister-in-law & Brother-In-Law Jeanne and Ed Kaun and numerous nieces and nephews.
Stepchildren- Leslie&Erin Caul(Kristina&Jason Cassie&Nathan, Alyssa&Nathan, Dawson&Sydney), Lissa Marchuk(Chris Pentney)(Jeffrey& Megan, Colton&Emily, Reece&Megan Marchuk), Son in law Mark Marchuk, Ross&Ginny Caul(Nathan, Chantal &James, Braeden &Riley ), Michael Caul(Jeremy &Jaimie, Jessica), Marty Caul, Lorne&Bonnie(Stephen, Cody& Chrisanne) and numerous great grandchildren.
Earl was predeceased by wife Shirley (1976), His parents Milford”Harry”(1987)&Edith(1996), Brothers, Robert”Bobby”Tweedie (1974),Raymond Tweedie (1998) , Ron Tweedie (2003), Sisters Joyce Stirrup (2006), Margaret Monkhouse(2013), Son in law Martin Bell(1995) Stepson Brad Caul(2014)
As per Earl’s request, a private interment will take place in Riverside Cemetery in Thunder Bay at a later date.
If desired memorial donations may be made to the Fort Frances Royal Canadian Legion Br#29 or the Kenora Rainy River District Alzheimer's Society by cheque, c\o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89 Emo, ON P0W1E0.
Gone Fishin
I've finished life's chores assigned to me,
So put me on a boat headed out to sea.
Please send along my fishing pole
For I've been invited to the fishin' hole.
Where every day is a day to fish,
To fill your heart with every wish.
Don't worry, or feel sad for me,
I'm fishin' with the Master of the sea.
We will miss each other for awhile,
But you will come and bring your smile.
That won't be long you will see,
Till we're together you and me.
To all of those that think of me,
Be happy as I go out to sea.
If others wonder why I'm missin'
Just tell 'em I've gone fishin'
By Delmar Pepper
Forever missed and never forgotten.
Loved Always, your family