Obituary of Ephrem Joseph Carrier

It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the death of Ephie Carrier who passed June 6, 2023 at the Dr Everett Chalmers Hospital (DECH), Fredericton NB, having lived to a youthful 94. He is predeceased by Lucille (Gagnon) Carrier and Jean (Imray) Murtagh. He is survived by 2 sons, Ronald Carrier (Marie-Therese), Christian Carrier (Diane), and 1 daughter Jennifer Murtagh (Derrick), 5 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.   

Ephie, a Korean War Veteran, served twenty years in the Royal Canadian Navy. Of note during this career, he served on HMCS Iroquois D217 (Korean War), and HMCSStadacona, as sec/treasurer of the Atlantic Fleet Petty Officers Mess, with the rank of P1PW3.  

After serving his country, Ephie worked as a Hospital Administrator in Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. On retirement from the Federal government as an Official Receiver, appointed by the Governor General of Canada, Ephie and his wife Jean, a qualified midwife, went onto much greater tasks volunteering with CUSO and CESO for 5 yrs. This took them to the Philippines, Africa, Indonesia, India, and Haiti. Never expecting nor wanting recognition, he performed these duties because “it was the right thing to do.” 

Then, making his home in Fredericton, NB, and never one to stay idle, his spare time involved many community projects. Ephie became a formidable member of the YMCA International Committee and formulated a business plan for the development of Cultures Boutique. He volunteered at our local Community Food Kitchen, and was the President ofour Community Seniors Center, Stepping Stone, for many years.  

Ephie was a qualified scuba PADI instructor, diving for over 60 years and did his last dive at the young age of 89. With his private pilot licence, he flew a Cessna Skyhawk. A longtime storyteller and member of the Writers' Federation of New Brunswick, Ephie has published several articles, collaborated on the children's book Pa's Harvest (with Jan Andrews: Douglas and McItyre,2000), and authored collections of short stories, The Way It Was, Exciting World Adventures, and most recently, Frauds and Bankruptcies, published by Friesen Press. 

The establishment of Fondation Murcar Foundation Inc. in 2004 as a charitable organization to provide women in impoverished circumstances with education into the basics of health and hygiene was the result of Ephie and Jean’s inspiration. They provided the funds to hold courses for women in third-world countries, such as Haiti and Honduras, enabling those women to improve the quality of life in their villages. The success of this project continues. 

Donations in memory of Ephie may be made to Fondation Murcar Foundation Inc. and the Local Fredericton Community Kitchen and Shelter.   

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 5th, 2023 from 11:00am - 2:00pm at 60 Sherwood Court, Fredericton, N.B.