Peacefully passed away at the Montreal Neurological Institute with family at his side, on Monday May 2, 2022 Ernest Alfred Alston in his 78th year. Husband to Barbara Payson and pre-deceased by first spouse Carolyn. Loving father of Ernest Jr (Karina Tanghe), Christine (Trevor Daniels), and Daniel (Kylie Maudsley) and grandpa to Porter, Berlin, Drew, Sydney, Cédric, and Juliette. Proud stepfather to Brent and Trisha and their families.

Ernie was youngest of Sidney and Pearly Alston - born and raised in the rough-and-tumble Beaches of the 40s and 50s. Growing up around the track at Greenwood, he developed a life-long love of horses and horse racing. He became a Firefighter with the City of Toronto, proudly serving as a member of the brotherhood over 29 years, rising to the rank of Captain, until his retirement in 1995.

He moved his family to the small town of Sunderland in the early 1970s and loved nothing better than coming home to the country to be with them – and the many dogs and cats, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, cattle, and other farming ventures he was continually dreaming up. Family came first, and he was always running the kids around to hockey games, baseball practices, and many track and field meets where he was coach, colour commentator, and above all the world’s proudest cheerleader!

After Carolyn passed, Ernie met Barb – got married on a ferry to Newfoundland and settled with his new bride to start the next chapter in his life in the West Island, Montreal enjoying days on the golf course and continuing to travel and explore the world with her.

Thanks to the many health-care professionals at the Lakeshore General and the Neuro. The care and compassion provided to Ernie and the family was amazing and helped him keep his adorable sense of humour right until the end.

Dad – we miss you so much, but know you are there still cheering us on, expecting us to be the best we can, and helping us along when we just need that little bit of extra encouragement and love.

Visitation Details:
Friday May 13, 2022 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Belvedere Funeral Complex, 22025 Trans-Canada, Senneville, Qc, H9X 0B2, 514 457-4440.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mira Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers guide dogs and service dogs to people living with visual impairments and physical disabilities. The Mira Foundation has played a very important part in our family’s history.
https://www.mira.ca