Sometimes in life we meet someone who is known as a ‘character’ … someone who brings a different outlook to life.
Moving from Newfoundland to Ontario, Ernie Oliver brought with him that Newfoundland outlook on life … friendship and kindness to everyone.
Customers of Mowbray’s Canadian Tire store in Port Elgin (Saugeen Shores), know that Ernie is the go-to when it comes to not only where things are in the store, but also what is happening in town.
A passionate hockey fan, Ernie has collected pucks, hats and other memorabilia from the local hockey team, the Saugeen Shores Winterhawks, as well as visiting teams.
When it comes to kindness, Ernie has also made a difference in his community when it comes to giving back. In tribute to the memory of his mother, Ernie has become a tireless fundraiser for Alzheimer’s, as a ‘Legacy fundraiser’.
“My mother died of Alzheimer’s,” says Oliver, “so each May, I walk to fundraise for the Grey Bruce Alzheimer’s Society because all the money stays local. I’ll still be about and collecting for Alzheimer’s.”
At the end of this month (June, 2025), customers will no longer find Ernie at Mowbray’s Canadian Tire when they’re looking for help from the ‘gentleman from Newfoundland’ as he moves into a well-deserved retirement.
“Ernie has been with us almost from the beginning when we made our home in Port Elgin,” says owner Mike Mowbray. “We knew from the day that we opened, we wanted Ernie to join us. It’s hard to believe how quickly the years have gone. He will definitely be missed not only by our customers but by our Canadian Tire family.”
Everyone is invited to Mowbray’s Canadian Tire Store tomorrow, Thursday June 26th, for cake and coffee to say goodbye to a long-time friend of the Canadian Tire family.
