Ernie Allan James was born on Friday, September 11, 1964, in Toronto to Patricia Leona Gainford and Ernest Alvin Noddle. He was the second eldest of four children, joining older sister Stephanie (1961), before being followed by Richard “Ric” (1966) and Deborah (1967). Their family resided in downtown Toronto and moved regularly throughout the children’s youth, calling areas such as Dufferin & College, Jane & Wilson, and Don Mills & Eglinton home. Patricia worked hard to provide for her young family while the children attended school.
Ernie was not big on school and called it quits after graduating from Grade 8. He soon tried his hand working on a farm where they trained and bred fine Arabian horses. Although this opportunity did not pan out, it did open a door for Ernie to experience country life – and he liked what he saw! Like most of us, his teenage years were filled with a lot of life lessons via trial and error. Although not always the easiest, it was a great way to learn and a time period in his life that he looked back at fondly. He also had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of church camps throughout his youth and was eventually introduced to his childhood mentor, Mike Tanacan. Mike was often viewed by Ernie as a big brother and helped Ernie a great deal through his teenage years.
At the age of sixteen, Ernie started working for Metroland Printing and Publishing where he remained for the next two years. At the age of eighteen, he took a job with Transcontinental Printing in Brampton. Sadly, at the young age of twenty-two, Ernie had a significant accident which would affect him for the remainder of his life. He remained in this position for the next thirty-seven and a half years until the company closed at the end of 2019. However, by 2008 Ernie’s body had been through enough whereby he was forced to go on long—term disability due to lingering effects of the injury experienced on the job.
In the early 90’s Ernie met a young woman by the name of Edith Madonna Cole. In time the two began dating and were eventually married on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 1994). Together, they welcomed their first son, Zackery, a month later before their family was made complete with the arrival of Matthew in 1996. The Noddles resided in Brampton during this period. However, sadly in 2000 Edith and Ernie went their separate ways, with the boys splitting time between both parents. It was during this period of his life that Ernie was introduced to Valentina Shears who really helped him through the difficult year. They eventually settled in Georgetown before heading north to the Chesley area in 2004, as Ernie wanted a farm and to own some property. At this time, he was still commuting to his job as a pressman down south.
In the years following Ernie settled into the community and eventually joined the local Legion branch as well as the Kinsmen Club of Chesley. He was selfless, and always willing to help whenever someone was in need. It should be no surprise that Ernie also liked to have a good time, and rarely said “no” to an invitation.
Ernie was an avid outdoorsman and particularly enjoyed fishing. His favourite location was the deep waters of Georgian Bay, in Lion’s Head where he spent countless hours trolling for fish. In his earlier years, Ernie also enjoyed hunting and was always up for a road trip. As an example, together with Zackery, they drove out west, with Ernie having no idea how he was going to get himself home. Needless to say, Ernie loved western Canada, especially the West Coast. He always joked that his trip of a lifetime would have been Halibut fishing in the Pacific Ocean and panning for Gold in the Yukon! He enjoyed camping, and the opportunity to do anything outdoors, often sharing these experiences with his sons.
Ernie had a particular weakness for anything auctions and could often be found buying (and occasionally selling), often with the boys by his side. He loved collecting kitchen equipment, with the long-term goal of one day owning his own burger joint. With that said, it should be no surprise to hear that Ernie enjoyed his time in the kitchen, often prepping or preparing food for himself or his guests.
Although not a big collector of anything particular, Ernie was very proud to be handed down his grandfather’s camera from WWII. When it came to his preferences, Ernie loved fried chicken or really anything fried for that matter! Watching reality television shows was another favourite pastime as well as shows like Let’s Make a Deal, Price is Right, Pawn Star as well as other game shows, historical programs and who could forget NFL football on Sunday afternoons. When it came to music his genre of choice was old Rock and Roll and the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Tragically Hip, David Wilcox and honestly any music from the 1980s. His favourite song you might ask. The Traveling Wilburys – End of the Line or Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum.
Ernie’s faith played an important part in his life. Like many of us, he wasn’t always present on Sundays in a pew, but his beliefs never wavered, and he reestablished his relationship with God in more recent years. More importantly, Ernie was a fun-loving, quick-witted man, who cared deeply for those around him, especially his close friends and family. He was a fixer of big things and small, ones and always tried to lead by example. He, along with Edith, instilled manners in their boys and taught them how to be true gentlemen.
We would be amiss if we did not touch on his famous black toque… right? I am told this tradition began back in his youth when Ernie started wearing a black toque all the time – I mean day, night, summer, fall, etc. He carried on this tendency throughout his adulthood and will forever be remembered as the man who was always seen wearing his famous toque. Thankfully, these stories, and many others, will allow for Ernie’s life and legacy to live on through the lives and storytelling of his family and friends. Ernie, you will be missed!
Sadly, Ernie passed away surrounded by his loving family at Hanover & District Hospital on Monday, March 18, 2024, in his 60th year.
Loving father of Zackery (Nichola Craft) of Perth, Australia, and Matthew (Jessica Moen) of Canmore, Alberta. Cherished brother of Stephanie Noddle (Randy Sumner) of Scarborough and Ric (Sandra) Noddle of Brampton. Ernie will be dearly missed by his loving friend Valentina Shears of Lucknow, and the mother of his sons, Edith Noddle of Brampton, as well as by many nieces and nephews. He will be fondly remembered by Valentina’s daughter Allison, and her sons (a.k.a. grandsons) Kaiden and Nathan. Grumpy will be missed! Ernie was predeceased by his sister Deborah Noddle and his parents Patricia Gainford and Ernest Noddle.
Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Thursday from 7 – 9 p.m. where a funeral service honouring Ernie’s life will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 11 a.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Salvation Army or SickKids Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
