Surrounded by family, Harald Einer Eriksen Knudsgaard passed away peacefully in his home on August 31st, 2017.
Einer was born in Rossland on February 12th, 1938 at Mater Misericordia Hospital along with his triplet brothers Erik and Frankie. As one of the first surviving triplets in British Columbia they received much notoriety being followed in newspapers and bequeathed with gifts to assist with their care. Einer was a life-long resident of West Kootenay residing in both Rossland and Trail.
The past three years Einer fought a courageous battle with cancer. Until Einer’s last breath his focus was on his family, friends, and care providers leaving one wondering if he was the patient or the helper. He touched so many.
Einer is survived by his loving wife Mariette Knudsgaard (Campeau); his children Bart (Elaine) and Anna Marie (Corey); his grandchildren Katelyn, Ashley (Jordan), Jody, Emily, and Riley; his great-grandchildren Tanner and Harper; his sister Linda (Allan); his in-laws Margaret, Claude, Pauline, Lucien, Betty, Paul, Shirley, and Leo; and many nieces and nephews. Einer was predeceased by his parents Hans and Linna; his brothers David, Erik, and Frankie; and in-laws Alphonse, Henriette, Therese, Elvira, and Sylvia.
Einer exemplified what it meant to be in service of others through his volunteer and service club leadership roles including: Fraternal Order of Eagles #10, Masonic Lodge #27, Rossland Minor Hockey Association, Rossland Figure Skating Club, Rossland Swimming Pool Society, Rossland Trail Boy Scouts, Trail Association for Community Living, Friends of Refugees, Citizens on Patrol, and Knights of Columbus. Through his service with Holy Trinity Parish over the past several years, Einer made a difference in the lives of many parishioners. Einer brought a quiet, steady, and firm leadership to everything and everyone he touched. Einer was not about status or recognition but about being the change one wishes to see in our world (Ghandi). He carried himself with the utmost integrity and humility lending an ear or a hand to anyone in need.
Einer served with the Canadian Army, from November 1958 through May 1962, as a signalman with the United Nations both in Canada and the Middle East. Upon his return to Canada, he worked at Cominco first as a labourer and then as a journeyman painter until he retired in 1994. Upon retirement, Einer enrolled at Selkirk College to take Human Service Worker courses to assist him with his new found career as a job coach with Trail Association for Community Living. With the births of his grandchildren and frequent trips to Alberta and Northern British Columbia to be a hands on GPA, he fully retired from the working world to make an everlasting impression in his grandchildren’s lives.
Einer will be forever remembered for his hospitality: breakfasts with perfectly cooked bacon, huckleberry and black current jams from the berries he loved to pick, baking of Henriette’s short bread cookies, and a candy jar full of scotch mints.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Einer will take place on Saturday, September 9th at 1:00 pm from Holy Trinity Parish in Trail, BC with Father Francis dela Cruz, Celebrant. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ is in care of arrangements. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Einer’s name may be made to KBRH Health Foundation (Palliative Care), www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca or 1200 Hospital Bench Rd, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1.
“With life as short as a half taken breath, don’t plant anything but love” - Rumi
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at www.myalternatives.ca