Eric William Orgee

A longtime resident of Iroquois, Eric William Orgee passed away on October 4, 2015.

Born on April 5, 1921, in Hazel Grove, Stockport, England, he was the only child of the late Samuel Thomas Orgee and Annie Foster. 

As a student at Norbury Church of England Primary School, he enjoyed learning, participating in sports and playing music. 

He met Dorothy Jerams, his future wife, playing tennis as an adolescent. 

War broke out, and in 1941, Eric enlisted in the army – the Royal Engineers, and rose to the rank of Sergeant. 

His mom died in May, 1941, which had a tremendous impact on Eric. During a leave in 1943, he married Dorothy on October 4, then returned to his station in India. 

Eric adored his time in India despite contracting two types of dysentery and dengue fever. His eyes always lit up when discussing Indian culture and his experiences there. 

In 1947, he was released from the army and returned to England to join his wife. They welcomed their first child, Janice Margaret, on February 26, 1949, and despite being told that they could not have more children, their second child, Michael William, was born on September 3, 1950! 

Seeking better opportunities for their growing family, Eric and Dorothy emigrated to Montreal, Canada, in 1952. A mentor named George Dunning supported Eric as he embarked on his post-secondary education at McGill University to become a Chartered Accountant at Touche Ross. 

At this point, Eric and Dorothy were living in Ste. Eustache and raising two children in a French community while Eric worked full-time and attended school part-time. He graduated in 1957 and pursued his chosen career. 

To their surprise, a third child, Karen Jane, arrived on June 3, 1960. 

The family moved to Dollard-des-Ormeaux in 1962. There, in his leisure time, Eric pursued numerous sports such as badminton, tennis, curling, golf and lawn-bowling, and to reduce stress, he painted natural scenes, exploring oil paints, water colours and pastel. 

He also traveled regularly for both work and pleasure, often returning to England as part of his travels. 

Janice married Jim Lyon in 1969 (the day before the moon walk), and they had two children, Roger and Heather. Michael married Barbara Howell in 1976, and they also had two children, Elizabeth and David. Finally, Karen married Bob Cussler in 1987, and they had a daughter Sheyann. 

When Eric retired fully from Touche Ross, he and Dorothy relocated to Iroquois, in 1992, so they could continue to enjoy their favourite leisure activities (curling, golf and lawn bowling) while living equidistant to all of their children and grandchildren. 

Sadly, daughter Janice succumbed to cancer in 1998, and Dorothy passed away in 2003. 

Eric was excited by the birth of his two great grandchildren, Kennedy and Bailey, when grand-daughter Heather and her husband John Orr started a family.

He remained in their Island Park Drive home for years after Dorothy’s passing, and continued to be involved in sports and community events, such as Meals on Wheels. He also regularly visited family. 

Though he remained active, independent, and determined as always, Eric’s quick intelligence, wit and decision-making began to change due to Alzheimer’s disease, so in 2012, he reluctantly moved into the Hartford Retirement Centre in Morrisburg.

He curled one more season, but rapid changes in his health necessitated a move to long term care at Helen Henderson Care Centre in Amherstview, Ontario (near family in Kingston) in early 2014. Eric received excellent care, and still had a twinkle in his baby blue eyes with a big smile when the staff, friends or family spent time with him. 

He died on his 72nd wedding anniversary, October 4, 2015, rejoining his beloved Dorothy and his cherished daughter Janice, as well as his parents.

Eric is survived by his son Michael Orgee (Barbara) of Pointe Claire,  his daughter Karen Orgee (Bob Cussler) of Kingston, and his son-in-law Jim Lyon (Jane Robinson) of Hudson. 

He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Roger, Heather (John), Elizabeth, David, and Sheyann, by his great-grandchildren Kennedy and Bailey, and his nieces and nephews in England. 

A Celebration of Eric’s life was held at the Royal Kingston Curling Club, Saturday, October 10, 2015 pm. 

Visitation  was held at the Marsden McLaughlin Funeral Home, Monday, October 12, 1-3 p.m. and a graveside service was held at Rideau Memorial Gardens,  Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec, on Tuesday, October 13, at 10 a.m.  

Donations to the Alzheimer’s Society would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. 

Arrangements were entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Iroquois. Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.