Eric Bruce Skoglund born Aug 20 1949 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on March 20th, Victoria B.C., with his wife Odette by his side, after a short but hard battle with multiple myeloma. He grew up in Gimli where most people there would remember him by his childhood nickname “Rocky” after a horse with said name delivered a blow to his head and the name just stuck. Eric went onto study journalism at the University of Manitoba before moving to Calgary where he worked at Hull Child and Family Services for over 30 years. Eric met his love Odette at work in 1983, married in 1985 and had two beautiful daughters Elise (deceased July 8 2015) and Tessa. The family would eventually move to Victoria BC where Eric retired and enjoyed kayaking, camping and of course walking his dog Maisie on the beach. Eric will be remembered for his excellent cooking skills, nail biting campfire stories and his unwavering sense of humour even in the face of death. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice in his name.
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Dear Odette, we are so sorry to hear of Eric’s passing but happy that he now has some peace and is free from pain. You’ve been in our thoughts since we heard the sad news. Please take care as you embark on this road of grief and I know you have many wonderful memories to sustain you. Sending our love and sympathies to you and your daughter.
I’m thinking of you Odette. Grieving is painful and rich in feelings at the same time. I hope you continue to hold the fond memories and that they make you smile when you least expect it.
Sending our heart felt condolences Odette and Tessa. Much love to you both ❤️
Odette, I am so sorry for your loss…may your memories sustain you in this time of grief.Sending healing thoughts your way.
Odette, I am so sorry to hear of this news. Life can be so very harsh. I will be in touch soon.
Love,
Sheila
So sorry to hear about the passing of Eric!
May your wonderful memories and love for him comfort you during this terrible time of loss.
Sending much Love and Peace your way.
Lex
Odette, I am saddened by the news of Eric’s passing. May you and Tessa find strength in the memories created in you lives together. Sending you my love.
Hugs
Judi Sherin
My heart is so sad to hear of Eric’s passing. A wise and gentle soul he was. Much love to you Odette xok
Thinking about you and Tessa, Odette. Eric will be so missed by all who knew him. Of the three things mentioned above I will remember Eric most for his sense of humor. He always made those around him laugh, including me. I cant imagine how sad you and Tessa must feel and how much you miss him. So sorry for your loss!
Odette I am so sorry to hear this sad news. My condolences to you and your daughter. I met Eric on the day I started at Hull Services in 1984. He had quite a sense of humour. I retired from Hull in 2014 yes another thirty year man. I remember watching Eric walking students to the school on the ring road in the mornings. I recall having him tell me when one of our young fellows got out of hand in the school. “its OK Don we can handle this.” He demonstrated what team work was. Take care of yourself and All the best
My heart goes out to you and Tessa, Odette and extended family and friends.
So many memories come flooding back to me of times together. I remember his sense of humour, his cooking skills, his deep love for you and his daughters.
I’m laughing as I remember Eric holding our newborn son and saying that, David, was the first baby that he had ever held. Well, he got to hold his own baby girls and how proud he was of them!
I have found that God has been so near to me since Tom died and I pray that you will be aware of God’s Love and His Presence. We will see our loved ones again one day!
Sending hugs
Odette and Tessa,
I am very saddened to see Eric has passed away. My first thought was that Elise’s spirit will find her Dad’s to be together again in the great abyss. I hope you and Tessa find comfort together reminiscing on happy times and your life together. Big hugs to you both.
Odette and Tessa,
We were so saddened to learn of Eric’s passing. I often think back on times when Eric arrived to pick up the girls and how excited they’d be, learning it was “ Tuna Bubbly” for dinner that night. He was a great father – always involved in the girls’ schooling and activities. We will remember him fondly and will be thinking of you and Tessa in the days ahead.
Barb, Bryan, Erin and Heather Gallant
He was one of a kind Odette, although I have not seen him since my days at Hull Home, I have nothing but funny and awesome thoughts about him. He was a special person and truly loved by a lot of people!
Odette, I just heard of Eric’s passing through a memorial donation that was made to Hull in his name. (Yes, 39 years later and I am still here) I can not imagine the sadness you and Tessa must be feeling. I have fond memories of both Eric and yourself – in particular drinks at the pub and jokes – really really bad jokes! He was a gentle soul – the kind who pops up in your memory from time to time and brings a smile and gentle warm thoughts. Thinking of you.
Odette and Tessa,
So sad for our loss. Eric was my old friend, my best man a someone with whom I enjoyed our exchange of humour, adventures and explorations for well over a decade. Some of the best times of my early adult life were with Eric and a small group of friends in Gimli and Winnipeg.
Stories will be shared, memories will come alive.
Take care you two.
hugs,
Casimir and Joanna
Odette and Tessa
Maybe it was Eric’s training in journalism but he was a keen observer of life and could always find the humor in so many situations. We will miss him greatly. Stay strong and take care.
Steve
Odette and Tessa, Dave and I are so very sorry to hear of the passing of Eric. Our thoughts are with you both.
Marilyn and Dave Wannamaker
Odette. We were saddened to hear of Eric’s passing. I have many fond memories of spending time with him at work and of course Friday afternoons at the local watering hole. We lost touch when your family moved west, but I thought of him often. Our thoughts are with you.
Roy and Bonnie Bailey
Odette and Tessa, I only just heard of Eric’s passing and was so very sorry to hear. He was a kind and gentle soul with a lovely sense of humor and my memories of him bring a smile to my face. You are in my thoughts my friends. Do take good care of yourselves.
Warm regards,
Jasmine Pearson
So sorry to hear of Rocky’s passing.
I thought of him the other day on his Birthday and realize that I hadn’t heard anything from him for a long while. We were friends back in the day in Gimli. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
So sad to hear the news of Eric’s passing. We went to high school together in Gimli and he was always one of the nicest guys around. I knew him first as Rocky, then Bruce, and then Eric. Rest In Peace, Eric. You will be remembered and dearly missed. Sincere sympathies to Eric’s family and friends. 💜
So sad to hear of Eric’s passing. I met Eric in a Canadian Literature class at University of Manitoba and we became great friends. I especially enjoyed his intelligence and great sense of humour. Although we lost touch after he left Winnipeg, we reconnected a few years ago through Facebook. He will be missed. My sincere condolences to his family.