Ernest Gemmel

Born in Montreal and raised in Chateauguay (QC), Ernie left us suddenly on April 14, 2020, at his home in Montreal (NDG), at the age of 55. He leaves behind to mourn, a large number of people who loved him more than he knew. First and foremost, his daughter Chloe Aja-Marie Gemmel, whom he adored with his whole person, and whose strengths and talents he admired so much. Her mother Louise Pothier, his ex-wife and friend, his mother Rosalia Gemmel (late Leslie Gemmel), his sister Kathy McCallum (late Ric McCallum) and nephews Ross (Amy Holmes) and Warren (Katie Hebert), his brother Leslie Gemmel (Linda Pasquale) (late niece Sabrina), his Aunt Anna “Pannika” Pintér (late Zoltan “Bátyus” Pintér), cousins Zolti Pintér (Julie Nagy), Sue Pintér (Rob Reid) and nephews Matthew and Ryan, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins in Hungary.

He will also be dearly missed by many lifelong friends going all the way back to his childhood on Morin Street, his days at Howard S. Billings, and Dawson college Mech Tech, his time spent in Los Angeles, as well as the entire Pothier family. Ernie made friends everywhere he went and kept them for life.

Ernie was an extremely passionate, enthusiastic, and creative man, who relentlessly viewed the world through a humorous lens. His joie de vivre, his laughter, his sentimentality, his wit, captured everyone who met him. His first passion, for airplanes, started at a very young age with Snoopy and the Red Baron, and took him through a long career in the aviation industry, starting with CAE, Apollo Microwaves, Trulock (Los Angeles), Leesta Industries, Aveos Fleet Performance, and Harris L3. He was also extremely proud of his many years as a member of the Royal Montreal Regiment, of his Certificate in System Analysis and Design from McGill University (2006), and he cherished his many fond memories making sausages with the Hungarian United Church on Jean Talon Ave.

Over and above his love of aerospace, technology, engineering, and manufacturing, Ernie also had a deep appreciation for all forms of art, including his love of music, theatre, movies, literature, writing, poetry, history, and especially his daughter Chloe’s dancing. He shared his love of life with her, through travel, activities, shows, events, family, and friends. Ernie loved everything beautiful in this world.

Due to the regulations in place relating to Covid-19, a private burial will be held.

There will be a celebration of his life when we are all freely able to assemble and raise a glass in his honour.

“We're made of star stuff. We are a way for the cosmos to know itself" - Carl Sagan

“Someday, we will all die, Snoopy. True, but on all the other days, we will not.” - Charles M. Schulz

In lieu of flowers, please hug your loved ones tightly.