December 19, 1932 ~ June 14, 2017
Erno (Ernie) Krajczar was born in a little farming village in Hungary on Dec. 19, 1932. He was eldest brother to Lenke, Elemer and Olga. During the final year of WWII, his family moved to their hillside vineyard where they felt it was safer during the German retreat through Hungary. Ernie would hide and watch the Russians on horseback fighting the fleeing Germans on the plains below the vineyard.
In 1953 Ernie started at the University of Sopron, located on the Austro-Hungarian border. In 1956, Ernie joined in the spontaneous demonstrations at Sopron after university students across the country began to protest the Russian-backed Communist government. This turned into the Hungarian Revolution, which lasted only a short time before being quashed by Russian tanks.
Ernie escaped into Austria and later came to Canada to finish his Forestry Engineering degree at UBC with many fellow students. This group formed a strong bond and spent much time together over the years. Ernie then had a long and distinguished career with the BC Forest Service, working across the province from Sicamous to Peace River, Victoria to Prince Rupert and ending up in Williams Lake with his wife Mary, whom he had met in Victoria, children Karoly (wife Virginia Aulin), Heather Robertson (husband John), grandchildren Julia and Jeffrey and great grandkids Layne and Addison. He was passionate about attending his kids’ sporting events, helping with homework and babysitting the grandchildren.
After he retired, Ernie became a consultant and was kept busy inspecting buildings and bridges in the Cariboo Chilcotin. He also had wine making in his blood, which was evident in the tasty varietals he produced. He enjoyed traveling and returned to Hungary many times (after it was safe to do so) to visit family and friends. He and Mary journeyed to Europe, across North America and a highlight for Ernie was going on safari in Kenya and spending time in that country with Mary’s brother Charlie and wife Margaret. But he also relished the summers in Williams Lake, camping, fishing and hunting with his good buddy Pete.
Ernie was keenly interested in world events and learning about other cultures. But what he relished most was time with family and friends, especially over good food and wine.
A celebration of Ernie’s life was held on June 19. Donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association would be greatly appreciated.
Cariboo Chilcotin Funeral Services entrusted with arrangements. 250-392-3234 www.cariboochilcotin.ca