Ernie Patton
1947 - 2026
Ernie Patton passed away peacefully on September 28, 2026, at the age of 79, in the company of close family.
Born in Belfast, Ernie came to Canada at six months old and grew up in small-town Saskatchewan. His family moved often as his father, Desmond, a United Church minister, moved from one charge to another.
Ernie started working in construction during summers at age 12 and maintained a strong work ethic throughout his life. He earned a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Manitoba. After graduating, his free spirit took him to northern British Columbia, where he worked at a sawmill before saving enough to backpack across Europe.
Returning to Calgary he met Mary, the love of his life. Ernie and Mary settled down in Calgary where they renovated an old house and had 2 sons. Ernie completed a Master’s of Architecture and spent his career with IBI Group. The work took him from Calgary to Toronto and eventually to Ottawa. He contributed to many significant projects over the years, culminating in the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal.
However busy his career, family was always a priority. He spent countless evenings and weekends at hockey rinks, soccer fields, and Scout camps. Annual family ski trips and camping adventures were cherished traditions that continued even after his sons left for university.
In retirement, he stayed active: mentoring young architects, building with Habitat for Humanity, and taking part in the Ottawa Men's Shed. These brought him friendship and purpose.
Ernie was gentle, stoic, ethical, and quietly observant. He valued honesty, integrity, and fairness. He was a proud Canadian who loved the country’s natural beauty and worked to protect it. He offered steady support rather than grand gestures. He provided his family with a sense of security and love.
True to his character, he faced his illness with dignity and composure. He wished to be remembered as the active man he had always been. He valued his privacy and chose to spend his final months quietly with his immediate family, but remained grateful for his friends, relatives, and colleagues.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Mary, and sons, Jon and Dan. The family extends sincere thanks to his family doctor, the Ottawa Cancer Centre, and the caring friends and relatives who supported him. As Ernie wished, a celebration of life will be held this fall. Please direct any charitable donations to the Ottawa Maker’s Shed, the Ottawa Food Bank, or the Ottawa Mission. For any questions, please contact eapattonmemorial@gmail.com.