Warren Eric Sawyer

After a rich but all-too-short life, Eric died in Barrie, Ontario following a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease and dementia, complicated by COVID. He was 65.

Eric was born in Peterborough and his family moved to Toronto at the age of 7. In his early years he played chess, hockey, fenced, acted at the St. Lawrence Centre and played trumpet in the stage band at York Mills Collegiate. He went on to the University of Toronto where he earned his Bachelor of Commerce (1981) degree and MBA (1985). While at U of T, he met and married the woman who would become his lifelong partner, Elizabeth.

He forged his career in finance by working up the ranks at Ontario Hydro and Hydro One and for a time, he was the chair of the Hepcoe Credit Union, one of the top ten credit unions in the country.

Eric’s big career opportunity turned out to be in the city of Calgary. He began as Treasurer of the city and then rose to Chief Financial Officer and briefly Acting City Manager. It was a great time to be in Calgary and he thrived on the challenge and even the stress of these positions. Eric derived great satisfaction from his time as a Board Member for the Burns Memorial Fund and the Government Finance Officers Association.

He and Elizabeth owned a lovely farm, where they hosted friends and let their cherished dogs run at full speed.

But retirement plans took a twist with the diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. He and Elizabeth moved back to Ontario to a lakefront cottage on Georgian Bay, close to family and friends.

Eric loved people, the cottage, boating and a wide variety of games. He had a quick wit, wonderful sense of humour and an easygoing demeanour. He made everything fun.

Eric leaves Elizabeth (Walker), his wife of 38 years, his mother Marilyn Sawyer (Bishop), his sister Ellen Miller (Sawyer) (deceased Grant Cordingley and Larry Miller), his nieces, nephew, grand nieces and grand nephews. He is predeceased by his father William Sawyer.

Memorial at Mount Pleasant Chapel on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 11 am. With a reception and food to follow.

Donations in Eric’s memory can be made to Burns Memorial Fund or the Alzheimer Society.