ERNEST (ERNIE) OZEM

ERNEST (ERNIE) OZEM July 24, 1929 ~ August 9, 2023
Ernest Horace Ozem, formerly of Medicine Hat, AB, passed away in Oakville, ON on August 9, 2023 at the age of 94. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, John and Caroline, his siblings Della, Malcolm, Eugenia, Lillian and Bill and his beloved wife of 41 years, Grace (Doreen). He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his 3 children, Gwena, Hayley (Matheu) and Rene (Bonnie) and his many friends.
Ernie was born in Ituna, SK. He grew up in Regina and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy in 1954. He practiced in Lethbridge before moving to Craik, SK to own and run his first pharmacy. He married Doreen on June 30, 1960. In 1968 they moved to Medicine Hat where, over the years, he was a full or part owner of several drug stores in Medicine Hat and Brooks. During those years, he supported his community in many ways and attended all of his children’s concerts and ceremonies. He retired in 1992.
After retirement, Ernie obtained his realtor’s license but never practiced. He continued his many hobbies which included ham radio, fishing, camping, adding to his many self-taught handyman skills and his love of watching hockey and football games. Through ham radio fests, he and Doreen made many friends south of the border whom they regularly visited. He enjoyed sports such as tennis, badminton, pickleball, and horseshoes. He also continued community volunteering which included committee work, the building of computers for seniors, teaching beginner computer skills to seniors and assisting seniors with taxes. Despite living with a chronic illness for his last 9 years, Ernie was determined to enjoy life to the fullest and did so with his devoted cat, Kissy, who travelled and remained with him after his move to Ontario.
Ernie will be remembered for the long, hard hours he worked to provide for his family, the counsel and support he gave them and the many hours he spent helping others.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Chartwell Regency (Mississauga) and Sunrise of Oakville for their incredible and generous support of both Ernie and his family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 13 Street S.W. Medicine Hat on Friday, September 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jaster officiating. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. Donations in memory of Ernie may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society, 306, 10430 61 Avenue N.W., Edmonton, Alberta, T6H 2J3.
(Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral
Chapel Crematorium &
Reception Facility
901 – 13th Street S.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4
Phone 403-527-6455
www.cooksouthland.com
“Locally owned & directed”