Obituary for Eric Michael Sawyer
ERIC MICHAEL SAWYER
Eric Michael Sawyer was born January 25, 1947, to Michael and Lydia Sawyer (née Bloomfield). His father was a first generation Canadian via the Ukraine and his mother, a Jewish war bride from England. To assimilate to the culture of the times, the family attended the United Church in St James. Eric was taught to appreciate the different forms of spiritual worship.
Eric and Joan married in 1973 and stayed in the St. James area most of their married life. Many of the school friendships continue today. The Woodlawn “Friday Night Club” (now meeting earlier in the day!) have become a second family.
Eric furthered his education at the University of Winnipeg where he actively participated in collegiate life. He was a fraternity member, elected to student government, and teammate of the infamous “Broadway Buzzards” Ball Hockey Team.
After earning his degree, Eric never stopped learning, including pursuing his CLU designation. He was extremely intelligent and well-read, always current on daily politics and sports. He would happily share his opinion with a person on any topic!
Eric was a committed volunteer serving community both personally and professionally. Notably, he gave his time and energies to several national Manulife Advisory Councils, Ducks Unlimited, Kiwanis Rotary Group, Joan’s Church Board, and community hockey. His family is immensely proud of service on the Rady JCC Board, where he served as President from 2010 to 2012.
Eric started his career in the pharmaceutical industry but found his calling in finance. In partnership with Joan, they formed, E. Sawyer Financial. During his distinguished career, he was honoured with many awards and distinctions, including being recognized as a 5 Star Master Builder with Manulife for his honest, ethical, and diligent care of his clients. Since the inception of the 5 Star Master Builder recognition program in 1961, only 144 advisors in Canada have been honoured with this status.
Their marriage of 50 years brought them many adventures, including the opportunity to enjoy traveling to new destinations. They have so many wonderful memories and stories of time spent with treasured friends at professional conferences or personally on holidays with family and friends.
In 2008, they purchased an Arizona winter vacation home, and gradually decreased their other travels. Arizona was Eric’s home away from home, he loved to golf and enjoy his winter friends. Summers were spent at Moose Lake with lifelong friends enjoying Manitoba cottage country. His father built the cottage in the 1950’s and it continues to be a special place for everyone today.
Fishing was Eric’s passion. His love of fishing and expertise led to being a contributing author for numerous articles in Outdoor Canada magazine during the 1970s. Eric believed in the motto “A Day Spent Fishing is Never Wasted.” Many special trips and memories took place in Northwest Ontario area with family and cherished childhood friends. His annual highlight fishing trip was flying up north to catch giant Lake Trout and Walleye. He loved his time spent at Kasba Lake, Nunavut and looked forward to it every year.
Eric and Joan were blessed with loving grandchildren who loved their Gramps. He had many nicknames “Guppy, Mr. Mustache, and Whippersnapper” were a few. He spent time playing with them having sword fights, road hockey, soccer, and baseball. He especially loved to go to their hockey games, just as he did with his own children.
Eric Michael Sawyer was born January 25, 1947, to Michael and Lydia Sawyer (née Bloomfield). His father was a first generation Canadian via the Ukraine and his mother, a Jewish war bride from England. To assimilate to the culture of the times, the family attended the United Church in St James. Eric was taught to appreciate the different forms of spiritual worship.
Eric and Joan married in 1973 and stayed in the St. James area most of their married life. Many of the school friendships continue today. The Woodlawn “Friday Night Club” (now meeting earlier in the day!) have become a second family.
Eric furthered his education at the University of Winnipeg where he actively participated in collegiate life. He was a fraternity member, elected to student government, and teammate of the infamous “Broadway Buzzards” Ball Hockey Team.
After earning his degree, Eric never stopped learning, including pursuing his CLU designation. He was extremely intelligent and well-read, always current on daily politics and sports. He would happily share his opinion with a person on any topic!
Eric was a committed volunteer serving community both personally and professionally. Notably, he gave his time and energies to several national Manulife Advisory Councils, Ducks Unlimited, Kiwanis Rotary Group, Joan’s Church Board, and community hockey. His family is immensely proud of service on the Rady JCC Board, where he served as President from 2010 to 2012.
Eric started his career in the pharmaceutical industry but found his calling in finance. In partnership with Joan, they formed, E. Sawyer Financial. During his distinguished career, he was honoured with many awards and distinctions, including being recognized as a 5 Star Master Builder with Manulife for his honest, ethical, and diligent care of his clients. Since the inception of the 5 Star Master Builder recognition program in 1961, only 144 advisors in Canada have been honoured with this status.
Their marriage of 50 years brought them many adventures, including the opportunity to enjoy traveling to new destinations. They have so many wonderful memories and stories of time spent with treasured friends at professional conferences or personally on holidays with family and friends.
In 2008, they purchased an Arizona winter vacation home, and gradually decreased their other travels. Arizona was Eric’s home away from home, he loved to golf and enjoy his winter friends. Summers were spent at Moose Lake with lifelong friends enjoying Manitoba cottage country. His father built the cottage in the 1950’s and it continues to be a special place for everyone today.
Fishing was Eric’s passion. His love of fishing and expertise led to being a contributing author for numerous articles in Outdoor Canada magazine during the 1970s. Eric believed in the motto “A Day Spent Fishing is Never Wasted.” Many special trips and memories took place in Northwest Ontario area with family and cherished childhood friends. His annual highlight fishing trip was flying up north to catch giant Lake Trout and Walleye. He loved his time spent at Kasba Lake, Nunavut and looked forward to it every year.
Eric and Joan were blessed with loving grandchildren who loved their Gramps. He had many nicknames “Guppy, Mr. Mustache, and Whippersnapper” were a few. He spent time playing with them having sword fights, road hockey, soccer, and baseball. He especially loved to go to their hockey games, just as he did with his own children.