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The Association of Ontario Land Surveyors is sad to notify you of the death of Eric Lawrence Ansell OLS# 1543 Eric passed away on December 24th 2021 at Hospice Peterborough at the age of 69 after a long courageous battle against cancer. Eric was married to Debbie (nee Jardine for 44 years and had one son, Trevor (daughter-in-law Bliss). He was born in Toronto on May 1, 1952, to Robert and Jean Ansell (nee Taylor and was the youngest of three children. He is survived by his brother Douglas and predeceased by his sister Susan (Day). He spent his very early days in Scarborough and Agincourt until moving to Peterborough at the age of 8. He attended Edmison Heights Public School, and Adam Scott CVI. Eric was an avid, perhaps not too accomplished, golfer and enjoyed being out on the links. Eric had a very large group of golfing buddies and it was his wish that they all get together and play an annual round of golf in his honour with a taste of scotch (or Irish whiskey) on each and every hole. Last man standing wins the round. His father had been in the Canadian Technical Training Corps during WWII dong some surveying and aerial photo interpretation. It was Eric's father who encouraged him to take up a career in surveying. Eric attended the Geodetic Sciences Degree program at Ryerson University graduating in 1976 and then took some additional courses at Erindale. He articled to Thos. E. Lyons, OLS and received his commission in 1982. Eric worked for Pierce Lyons Inc. until 1997 when he decided to strike out on his own. ANSELL SURVEYING was a small business which enjoyed a varied practice mainly in Peterborough County. Looking for something new and wanting to expand his horizons, Eric decided to join the Office of the Surveyor General, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as a Crown Surveyor in 2001. he subsequently became Coordinator of Crown Land Surveys and Deputy Surveyor General in 2010 and held that position until his retirement in 2016. Eric took on many roles on various AOLS Committees and Council. A small sample of his contributions include:
His strong commitment to the Association became quite apparent in 2017, when there were no candidates for senior councillor. Eric, thinking that it would not be appropriate for council to be short a senior councillor, ran once again for council to fill that void for just one year. This would be his third time around on council and many questioned his sanity at that time but his contributions to council were truly well received. Eric was very honoured when the membership of the Association, at the 2019 AGM, awarded him the Association Life Membership Award. As part of Eric's president's acceptance speech, he promised to be guided by poet Robert Frost, who encouraged us to take the road less travelled, to take on new and challenging assignments, to always be looking for new adventures and see where the road might lead us. Eric did just that and took on many o f the challenges of the AOLS, of his career, and his personal life, with a view of taking that load less travelled. Unfortunately, cancer finally ended the travels for Eric and now, he has taken that final road that so many before him have taken. Eric would have mentioned that no matter what road or travels taken, there have been no regrets and he would still encourage us all to seek new challenges and to enjoy the adventures along whatever road we decide to explore. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Peterborough would be appreciated by the family. There will be a private family Celebration of Life held a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.highlandparkfuneralcentre.com
4 Comments
Jim and Annette Statham
12/30/2021 11:55:09 am
So sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. Our condolences go to Debbie and family.
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Murray Purcell
12/30/2021 10:11:45 pm
Eric’s list of contributions to The Association of Ontario Land Surveyors are long, and arduous. His energy and passion to our profession was always completed with tenacity, and a smile on his face for just being happy to help out.
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Michael Marlatt
1/3/2022 01:40:09 pm
I often conversed and consulted with Eric in his capacity as Co-ordinator of Crown Lands Surveys. Eric was always cheerful, knowledgeable, helpful, open and professional. My condolences to his family.
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Paul Miller
3/9/2022 04:09:10 pm
I first met Eric at the four corners of the Village of Madoc. It was the winter of 1980-81, and it was a truly cold one. I was shivering by the gun at one of the corners and Eric stopped by in the survey van. They were on their way to a retracement of the West Limit of Grimsthorpe Township...a godforsaken place!
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If you have information on a fellow AOLS member who has recently passed away please let us know by sending us an email to [email protected]. Archives
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