Obituary of Ernesto Regier

Ernest (Ernie) Regier, aged 81, passed away on Sunday May 5, 2024 at the Niagara Health Family Hospital, with his family by his side after a lengthy stay in hospital with declining health. Ernie was born on August 27, 1942, in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, in the village of Waldheim, to Jacob and Anni Regier.

He had a rough start in infancy being born prematurely and experiencing digestive issues. With several other families, the Regier family moved to Colonia Nova in Rio Grande Do Sul in 1951. Here in this Mennonite colony, Ernie attended primary school taught by his cousin Lydia Ens. He also had schooling in Bage, the city closest to the colony. At the same time as he was doing his mandatory military training from ages 17-19, he attended evening classes at a Catholic school. He was baptized upon the confession of his faith in the river just outside the colony in 1963. His faith was nurtured and strengthened by his regular church attendance. He served the church by managing the audio system both in Brazil and here in Canada. His family immigrated to Canada when he was 21 years old. His first job was working as a carpenter. Soon after, he began working at Hayes Dana as a welder where he continued to faithfully work shifts until he retired. He was not passionate about working in the factory, it was physically hard, tiring work, but he was a dedicated worker doing his job to the best of his ability.

He loved to tinker with electrical household items and motors that were not working, like electric kettles, toasters, stoves, mixers, washing machines, and he was successful in restoring them to working order again.
Fishing and hunting were enjoyable recreational activities for Ernie. He went on several hunting and fishing trips in northern Ontario and continued to go to Long Lake cottages north of Peterborough with Mariane after he was married. There were also many trips to Brazil as a family during the winter months.

Ernie lived at home with his parents into his adult life and waited for the right woman to marry. He was determined to find the right one for him and he found that special woman in Mariane, with the help of one of his aunts in Brazil. They were married in Brazil in January 1986 and were married for 38 years. Ernie and Mariane developed a deep bond of love and understanding which was endearing to see. In 1987 they welcomed their daughter Anne Bertolina to the family.

In early retirement Ernie and Mariane worked in the Benefit Shop in St. Catharines. Ernie enjoyed fixing broken donations that came in. He was keenly interested in things working properly. While in hospital, he called the nurse because the adjusting buttons on his bed were not responding as they should.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Mariane (Enns) and his daughter Anne Bertolina. He was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Anni Regier and his sister, Gertrude Wilkinson. Mourning his death are Henry (Hildi) Regier, John (Joanne Jantzi) Regier, Anneliese (Ed) Sauer, John Wilkinson, Ingried (Ron Flaming) Regier. Mariane’s sister Lina (Harry) Schartner, and her brothers Rudolf (Traudi) Enns and Egon (Tina) Enns along with many nieces, nephews.
We wish to express our heartfelt, sincere thanks to Ed and Anneliese Sauer. Ed provided support as driver and shopper while Anneliese was a live-in home care provider for Mariane, both filling this need selflessly out of their love and compassion.

Heartfelt and sincere thanks to Harry and Lucy Hubert who also provided support in so many ways along with bringing tasty food, providing rides, visits, and other ways of support that we were not aware of.
Heartfelt and sincere thanks to his neighbor Mitch who repaired Ernie’s shed, and helped him with whatever he asked for without asking for anything in return.
Heartfelt and sincere thanks to Forrest Miller who did Ernie’s taxes for 36 years and helped him with his investments and Mariane’s properties in Brazil.
Heartfelt and sincere thanks to the many others that helped both Mariane and Ernie.

Visitation will be held at Tallman Funeral Home, 3277 King St. Vineland, on Monday May 13, 2024 from 9:30 – 11:00 am, followed by a service at 11:00 am in the Funeral Home Chapel.

To view the Live Stream, Please Click HERE at the time of the service.