March 21, 1938 – June 14, 2026
We are heartbroken to share that our beloved father, husband, and grandfather passed away suddenly and peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center.
Ernie is survived by his wife Nellie, with whom he shared 68 wonderful years of marriage. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph Patrick and Jeanne Marcotte.
His sons Dan (Cambridge), Doug (Thunder Bay), and Jason (Thunder Bay) will always remember their father’s kindness, generosity, and determination in facing life’s challenges.
Ernie is also greatly missed by daughters-in-law Susanne and Leeann; his sisters Yvonne (Brideau), Bonnie (Doiron), and baby sister Nancy Marcotte; as well as his grandchildren Christopher, Rachelle, Patrick, and Hilary.
He was predeceased by his brother Carl Marcotte.
Ernie’s strong character helped him overcome health issues in childhood through fitness training as a teenager in Sudbury, Ontario.
After spending about five years in Elliot Lake working at Denison Mines during the uranium mining boom in Sudbury area, Ernie decided to go back to school. He attended the Haileybury School of Mines and graduated in 1963 with a degree in Mining Technology. Following graduation, he returned to Elliot Lake to continue with Denison.
He then transitioned into gold mining as an assistant mill superintendent at East Malartic Gold Mines in Norrie, Quebec. Later on, he became the mill superintendent at Upper Canada Mines gold operation in Dobie near Kirkland Lake, Ontario (both now owned by Agnico Eagle Mines).
In 1970, Ernie earned his Professional Engineer designation.
He came back to the Sudbury area in 1972 where he worked for Falconbridge Nickel Mines (now Glencore) for sixteen years in various senior roles within mill operations and administration.
In 1986 he moved to Timmins for a new opportunity as area mill superintendent for Pamour Inc.
Then in 1989 he headed westward to Thunder Bay where he served as mill manager for Mac Isaac Mining & Tunnelling at INCO’s Shebandowan mining operation.
In 1993 Ernie took on the role of vice-president of mining operations & general manager. He led a team that successfully developed North American Palladium’s Lac Des Iles open pit mine and mill operations (now owned by Impala Canada).
Later on he worked as a senior metallurgist for SNC Lavalin Engineers & Constructors based out of Toronto.
In 2006 Ernie joined Mustang Minerals as vice-president operations where he focused on developing a base-precious metals deposit near Lac Du Bonnet Manitoba (currently under JV option with Teck Resources).
By 2012 Ernie became part of Rubicon Minerals as senior process engineer overseeing design engineering and equipment selection for building the gold processing plant near Red Lake Ontario (now owned by Australia’s Evolution Mining).
In 2014 Ernie joined Frontier Lithium’s Board of Directors based out of Sudbury which is working on developing mining operations along with lithium chemical processing facilities for northwestern Ontario.
Recently Ernie has been serving on Plato Gold’s Board of Directors from Toronto aiming at advancing its niobium strategic metal project within progressive northwestern Ontario.As partofhisvolunteereffortsinthemining industry , Erniewasanact ive foundingmemberofth e Canadian Mineral Processors, CMP(previouslynamed Canadian Gold Metallurgists ), atechnicalsocietyofthe Canadian Instituteof Mining , Metallurgyand Petroleum(CIM).Erniewas twice Chairmanofthe Canadian Mineral Processors(CMP). Tohonor ex cellenceinmineralprocessing , hereceivedthe CMPMineral Processorofthe Yearaw ard.Ernestreceiveda CIMfellowship(FCIM)fromthe Canadian Instituteof Mining , Metallurgyand Petroleumforhis outstandingcontributions, andwasalifememberof CIM.Outsidework , E rniestoodproudwithhisfamilyinclearingtheloton Manitoulin Islandandbuildingthecottagewhere theyenjoyedvacationdaysswimming, snorkelingandeven ingcampfiresonthebeachwithfamilyandfriends. He enjoyed recreational curling, made time tomanagethe Levackhighschoolhockeyteam, sanginthechurchchoir, andwasamemberofthe Onaping Falls Lions Club.E rni ewasanextraordinaryman, a marveloushusbandanda goodproviderwhoalwaysappreciatedothers. Oftenexpressingloveforhis family , he alwaysfoundtimeofferinginspiringguidance. The familywillalwayscherishthegoodtimesandlaughtersharedwith Ernietat homeandatthecottage.
