Ernie Wade Grimshaw

Ernie Grimshaw suffered a devastating stroke on July 2nd that left him unable to speak or walk. Dad fought many sad days since losing Mom "Chick" Charlene Grimshaw September 2021, but his love for his family gave him strength to soldier on.

Ernie's career in the Navy began in 1951, until he retired in 1986, where he was approached to work at CSE, which he did for an additional 9 years. Somewhere in there he had to learn Russian.

In the 50’s he was amongst the early pioneers in the Communications Research/291 trade and was present when the two Canadian Northern stations opened in Aklavik and Inuvik.

In the 70's and 80's, he was employed as an instructor at the Training School, HMCS Gloucester.

Ernie had such a depth of knowledge in the trade, that eventually he became the Communications Research 291 Trade Career Manager posting all ranks to stations across Canada, the US and Bermuda. While in this position he traveled with the Major Career Manager to every Comm Rsch 291station in the world. He was expected to give important informative briefings about the trade at each station.

His next promotion in Ottawa was the ‘System Chief Petty Officer’ at the headquarters in Tunneys Pasture. This position also involved many trips with the Colonel, who was the Commander of the Supplementary Radio System to give very important briefings about the status of the Comm Rsch 291 Trade.

Throughout his career he was known as a calm reassuring leader who never got excited, giving sage advice to anyone seeking his assistance. Ernie was one of the best Chief Petty Officers within the trade as seen by the number of very important positions he held.

Dad once said he hoped he would be remembered for one thing in his career and that was that he was “fair”. It meant a lot to him.

He was an avid golfer at the Hylands Golf Club. He was also a loyal sports fan, and you had to have pretty thick skin if you wanted to watch a game with him and cheer for the opposition! A Boston Red Sox and Toronto Maple Leafs fan, through and through.

Music was another passion of his. Growing up, our home was filled with music of all kinds, from the 50's to the current hits, to big band, and jazz, and of course the "crooners". Friday night was music appreciation night, and if the night was right, we would sit out back on the picnic table, looking up at the stars with the music playing and he would say "name that tune". I don't know who was prouder, me or him when I got one right. Sunday night was "Sentimental Journey". A music program on his hometown's Yarmouth NS radio station, CJLS. He would sign in on the kitchen computer to listen online. This usually followed a family Sunday dinner, so if we got too loud, we would hear "hey if you aren't listening then get out of the kitchen".

Thanks Dad for all of your love, strength, and guidance over the years. We know you are now dancing with your "chick"/mom once again.