Major General Ernest Basil Creber, CD, CMM, passed peacefully away at home, surrounded by his loving family. Survived by Tina, his best friend, the love of his life and wife of 72 years, his children Michael (Monique), Catherine (Ernie Wong), Christopher, grandchildren Jeff Wong (Haley), Andrew Franklin, Doug Wong, Grace Rei (Andrew), Michelle Creber and great-grandchildren, Sawyer Wong and Rayla Rei.
Second only to his love of family, Ernie took enormous pleasure and pride in his career as a member of the Military in service to Canada, especially as a member of the RCEME Corps.
Ernie was born in Vancouver and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in electrical engineering and married Tina in 1951. He joined the Corps of Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME) and began a busy military career; a life of service and dedication he shared with his wife and family.
He was posted frequently in the early years in various staff and field assignments in Canada including intensive studies in the latest technologies: RADAR in Kingston, Guided Weapons in Huntsville Alabama, and Fire Control systems at the Military College of Science in Shrivenham UK. His career also included 2 years at Staff College in Kingston and a year as commander of the UN Workshop at Camp Rafah in 1966, where he had to close the camp just before the Seven Days war. Returning home, he attended National Defense College in 1969 before a posting to Mobile Command in St. Hubert. After an intense course in French, Ernie was promoted to Brigadier General and assumed the position of Director General Land Engineering and Maintenance at NDHQ. In 1979 he was promoted to Major General and assumed the position of the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of Defense (Materiel).
Throughout his career, his Corps remained extremely important to him; he was dedicated to ensure that RCEME officers had the technical knowledge to lead and provide strategic direction and he worked to ensure that RCEME remained a separate entity with the Army.
In 1982 he was awarded the Officer of Order of Honour, PEO. In the same year, Ernie received the Commander of Military Merit for outstanding service to his country and retired from the Armed Forces.
He immediately went to work for Bristol Aerospace and was the founding president of the Canadian office of SAIC in 1986 before moving to Intercon Consulting Inc. in 1996. Retirement included positions on the Board of the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and as President of the Rideau Club.
Ernie lived a life exemplified by honesty, hard work, gentle humour and love of family. Tina and Ernie shared a life of happiness. Leisure time was spent fixing and building things, including a boat (which featured in many family outings), cross country skiing, swimming, Scuba diving and, his favourite, looking after the family cars. Golf became a great passion in retirement and he and Tina spent many wonderful years golfing and travelling. He always enjoyed classical music, especially cello pieces with Sunday family dinners including a rotation of favourite records on the phonograph. The RCEME Corps remained close to his heart and the new flag, presented to him at the 75th Anniversary of the Corps flew proudly at his home.
He was much admired by his many friends and associates and adored by his family. Ernie will be greatly missed.
Much appreciation is owed to the Palliative Care Teams at Montfort Hospital and the Home and Community Care services and all the caregivers who looked after him so well.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ernie’s name to the RCEME Foundation (https://rcemefoundation.org/donations) or the UN Ukraine Emergency Relief Fund (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/unhcr/campaign/ukraine-emergency) or to the Order of St. George (https://orderstgeorge.ca/programs)
The family will receive friends at Beechwood Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa), on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 2 pm. in Beechwood’s Sacred space, followed by a Military interment at the National Memorial Cemetery.
Digital Guestbook
Claire Laham and Tom Mountain
Audrey and Eric Chambers
It was a.pleasure to have know Erni a real gentleman we had some nice evenings having dinner in Algarve Portugal
Our Condolences to you Tina and your family
R Merv Letts MD
I was a colleague of Ernie's when we both were Peacekeepers in the Sinai in 1966-67 at Camp Rafa. Ernie was a Major at that time in charge of the RCEME then but we all knew he was destined for senior officer status. He and his unit kept my Ambulance in excellent condition! He had a marvellous career and it was a pleaasure to have known him. Sincere condolances to Tina and his family. Per Ardua ad Astra!....Through adversity to the stars.
Dan Fraser
I’m very proud to be a nephew of this amazing and honourable man. RIP Uncle Ernie.
To Tina, Cathy and the entire Creber family you have our deepest condolences. Please know our thoughts are with you.