Eric Charles Schweizer
September 26, 1920 ~ September 18, 2015
Eric Charles Schweizer was born in Biel in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, on September 26, 1920 and passed away on September 18, 2015 in Kamloops, British Columbia. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Margarethe.
Eric is survived by three children: Eric (Tish), Irène (Tom), and Rene (Betty); six grandchildren: Pierre (Chelsea), Ryan, Nadine, Dayna (Dwayne), Eric, and Natalie; and seven great-grandchildren: Cierra, Hailey, Sarah, Gracie, Sterling, Alexandra, and Genevieve.
At the age of 16, Eric was apprenticed to a watch factory in Cortebert, Switzerland, where he learned the craft of watchmaking. World War II interrupted his career, and the Swiss Army stationed him in Weiach, Switzerland, on border watch, where he met his wife. In the post-war period, the Swiss watch industry declined due to the rise of quartz-crystal watches. Seeking opportunities, Eric moved his family to Canada in 1955, back to Switzerland the same year, and again to Canada in 1960, settling in Kamloops, B.C., where he repaired watches for Livingston Jewelers for eleven years. In 1971, Eric moved to Creston, B.C. with his wife where he owned and operated Creston Jewelers as well as an apple orchard. He retired from watchmaking in 1985 and then followed his wanderlust, travelling back to Switzerland, to India, Japan, Gibraltar, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, and many other places.
Eric will be fondly remembered for his quiet strength, his dedication to his family, and his ability to drum a military tattoo on his dinner plate.
In 2014, he relocated to Kamloops, B.C., to The Hamlets at Westsyde, a nursing home. We acknowledge the wonderful staff there, who provided excellent care and compassion in Eric’s last year.
Arrangements will be provided by Schoening Funeral Service in Kamloops, B.C.