Ernest Fraser Munroe

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ernest “Ernie” Munroe, beloved father, brother, son, uncle, and friend, who passed away at the age of 68 on February 26, 2026, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ernie, the son of Ernest and Esther Munroe, was born in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and raised in Stellarton, NS. He spent the majority of his adult life in Ottawa, Ontario, where he built his career and raised his family. In his final chapter, he returned home to the East Coast, spending his last years in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Ernie was a man deeply rooted in his passions and, above all, in the people he loved. He often spoke of the “ride of life” as being like a train journey — a path with many stops along the way — and at each stop, he gathered stories, memories, and relationships he was always eager to share. He had a knack for storytelling and a wicked sense of humour; his sister would often tell him he could be a writer. With rich context, keen attention to detail, and perfectly timed wit, he could describe any situation in a way that had people in stitches long before the story finally reached its end. If you were to picture Dad’s train, it would surely be orange and black — proudly decorated with every piece of Philadelphia Flyers memorabilia imaginable. His loyalty to his team was unwavering, and he carried a special love for the legendary 1974 and 1975 Broad Street Bullies. He made sure his family knew every player and every statistic from those glory years — it was just one of the many things that made him unmistakably Ernie. Ernie’s ride began in Stellarton, where he spent his youth surrounded by family — especially his beloved siblings, Claire (Alida) and Ian Munroe — along with neighbours and a core group of lifelong friends who affectionately nicknamed him “Esther.” Growing up, he could often be found at Leo’s Pool Hall or diving into a Sam’s Pizza, his days filled with sports, laughter, and the easy comfort of small-town life. He played hockey with the Stellarton Royals and took great pride in serving as a Cadet in the Stellarton Cadet Corps, earning several honours, including the Master Cadet Award for Best Cadet. He later joined the militia, spending many summers in Gagetown mentoring young recruits. Though his journey would take him many places, he had already found his happy place — Melmerby Beach. Ernie loved beaches everywhere, but he would always insist there was no better beach than the “’Merb,” day or night. The roots he planted in Stellarton ran deep and stayed with him throughout his life. Ernie’s journey eventually brought him to Ottawa, where he worked proudly as a Union Brother with the IBEW. Still, Ernie was always clear about his priorities —“ he worked to live, never lived to work.” Living life fully and spending time with family and friends were what mattered most to him, and those moments were always the richest part of his story. It was in Ottawa that he raised his two daughters, Hailey and Jade — his greatest pride and the true heart of his ride. Some of his happiest stops could be found on a baseball diamond, at a hockey rink, at the park, or sitting on a beach, simply soaking in time with his girls. His days and nights were often set to the soundtrack of rock and roll, with Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Queen playing loud and proud — music that matched his spirit and stayed with him throughout his life. And when the guitars quieted, you could often find him settled in for Hockey Night in Canada, faithfully watching the game — and you always knew when the Philadelphia Flyers were playing based on the volume in the room. As Dad’s ride began to slow, he welcomed a son-in-law, Jon Graves, whom he trusted deeply. He also cherished the time he continued to spend with his close family, especially his nephew Luke, whom he loved dearly. Ernie was blessed with his grandchildren: Avery, Blake, Hanan, Umar, Abdullah, AbuBakr, Uthman and a beautiful new grandson Ali, on the way. They brought him immense happiness and pride, adding meaningful and treasured stops along his journey. Along the ride, Ernie faced his share of hardships and bumps. In the later years of his life, he struggled with his mental health, which shaped some of the stops he was making. Ernie was as tough as they come. He fought many of his battles with strength and determination, though some of his hardest struggles were the quiet ones he carried within until the final stop on his ride. Ernie was a devoted father, a loving son, a steadfast and loyal brother, and a fun-loving friend. Dad, you will be deeply missed by all who love you. So many memories along the ride of life will bring thoughts of you, because the passion you carried for the people and the things you loved ran deep and left a lasting mark on all of us. As the great Fred Shero, head coach of the 1974 Philadelphia Flyers, once wrote, “Win today and we walk together forever.” Dad, you will forever be in our hearts — and we will always walk together. ⸻ A celebration of Ernie’s life will be held in the warmer months. Details will be shared with family and friends once they are finalized. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ernie’s memory may be made to Jumpstart, a foundation that works to ensure children have access to sport and play.

Ernest Fraser Munroe

July 27, 1957 - February 26, 2026