BLOCK: Erwin
Erwin William Block passed away peacefully on December 26, 2014 coincidentally, the same day his wife Verna passed away 25 years earlier. Erv was born on November 27th, 1930 in Leroy, Saskatchewan. He was the 2nd oldest of 5 children born to Sam and Minnie Block. On June 15, 1957 Erv married Verna Finner.聽 They lived in Edmonton while Erv completed his Medical Degree at the University of Alberta. Two daughters (Janine and Sandy) were born to Erv and Verna while residing in Edmonton. Erv was convinced by his colleagues to move to 鈥淕od鈥檚 Country鈥� and in the summer of 1964 the family moved to Spirit River, where he joined Dr. Pawlovich and Dr. Laventure in the existing medical practice. Surgical procedures and deliveries were performed at the Holy Cross Hospital; Dr. Block was an anaesthetist and held clinics in Eaglesham. The winter of 1964, their youngest daughter, Susan was born. Their family was complete. Janine began working at the Central Peace Clinic when she was 15 years old and continued working for her Dad until he retired. It wasn鈥檛 long after moving to Spirit River before Erv became involved in community activities, most notable was being a member of the Kinsmen Club. Erv held various positions with the Spirit River Curling Club and was an avid curler himself. A fond memory of Sandy鈥檚 was curling with both her parents in many bonspiels throughout the Peace Country. Erv also enjoyed hunting and the unforgettable annual trips made by his colleagues from Edmonton. He took many hunting trips up north and fishing trips to the west coast with his son-in-law Ken Melnychuk. His youngest daughter started golfing in the mid-1980s when Erv took up golfing again and it was obvious to all it was a great passion of his. He and Sue golfed many times together throughout the years. The last game they played was in Vernon in 2009, one she鈥檒l never forget. He successfully accomplished a 鈥渉ole-in-one鈥� in Grande Prairie. Aside from curling, hunting, fishing and golfing, Erv enjoyed many years of flying by obtaining his pilot鈥檚 licence. This allowed him to fly his wife and family back to Saskatchewan to visit relatives. One of Erv's proudest moments was his granddaughter Krystal who is now a pharmacist in Edmonton. Krystal spent a great deal of time with her grandparents. Erv was a dedicated member of Alcoholics Anonymous since December 1978. He lived by the 12-step program faithfully and often quoted the Serenity Prayer. Erv lost his wife Verna to cancer on December 26th, 1989. A few years later he married Marjorie Reiswig. Erv and Marj moved to Grande Prairie in 1994, where Dr. Block continued practicing medicine until his retirement in 2009. Erv spent the remainder of his life in Vernon, BC. Erv was pre-deceased by his parents Sam and Minnie Block, his brother Arthur Block, his sister Ruth Torwalt, his wife Verna Block and his son-in-law Ken Melnychuk. Jan, Sandy and Sue would like to thank the staff at Silver Springs Assisted Living and Gateby Care Facility in Vernon, BC for the quality care provided to their Dad. They would also like to thank everyone for their generous condolences and sympathies. A Celebration of Life date will be held on March 28, 2015 in Spirit River, Alberta. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Society or a charity of your choice.
