It is with great sorrow that the children announce the passing of their dad Eric Torsten Nilsson, after a lengthy battle with cancer, January 31, 2016 at 11:07 pm at the Victoria hospital in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Eric is survived by his best friend partner Emma Monias, his siblings: Margaret (Robert) Clarkland, Nils Nilsson, Harry Nilsson, Diane (Bill) Neal, Dagmar (Harvey)  Zechel, Herman (Elaine) Nilsson, and Albert (Carol) Nilsson; his sister-in-law Virginia (Walter) Nachbaur; his children: Robert Nilsson, Sherry (Donny) Price, Marlene (Dennis) Melquist, Kevin (May) Nilsson, Norman (Lillian) Monias, Melissa (Joseph) Monias, Arvel (Raymond) Monias, Carmel (Ivan) Monias, and Kelly (Amanda) Monias; and his 25 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and numerous nephews, nieces and friends. Eric was born February 29, 1929 in the community of Minesino, Manitoba. His family later moved to live on their farm in Lee River, Manitoba.  Eric was the third of 8 children born to Sven & Anna Nilsson. Eric was well known for his strong work ethic, a value instilled from a very young age while working on the family farm. At the age of 12, Eric got his first paying job as a milk delivery man using his horse and carriage. From this he moved on to bigger adventures. Early exploration during the 1960’s brought Eric to the north. He was employed with Central Geophysics working in northern Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Australia. He worked in a variety of jobs, such as dragline oiler, and carpenter in Kelsey and Jenpeg.  He worked with Fred Carlson to form Carlson Exploration which included line cutting, staking and geophysical surveys. He also worked as a General contractor in Wabowden which took him to many northern communities. In later years, he purchased a sawmill, selling lumber for different projects around the house. Working from home allowed Eric to maintain his beautiful yard and home. Eric always enjoyed family gatherings and the time spent with his grandchildren, especially around the campfire.  Some of Eric’s hobbies were wood working, berry picking, crosswords, Sudoku, reading, and music. He loved to sing and play guitar, harmonica, accordion, and tried his hand in fiddling. You would often find him and Emma challenging Wally and Virginia to a game of scrabble. Eric always had a good joke to tell and enjoy making us laugh. One of Eric’s latest quotes when he was asked what to buy for him:  “Well why do I need this when I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.” Eric was predeceased by his parents Sven and Anna Nilsson, his parents-in-law Joseph and Bella Monias, his brother Oscar Nilsson, his brothers-in-law: Wilfred, Clarence, Joseph, Henry Monias, Peter Braun, and Willie Chubb; his sisters-in-law: Helen Nilsson, Mary Chubb, Emma-Jane Braun, and Lorna Monias, and his grandson Quinton Boyd. A Service for Eric will be held at a later date in Manitoba. Arrangements in care of MacKenzie Chapel & Crematorium.  Brian and Bev Stobbs, Funeral Directors. 306.763.8488 www.MacKenzieChapel.ca

• Date : 2016-01-31
• Location : Prince Albert, SK