I recall when I was 12 and 13 (such an innocent age) I used to constantly beg my Mom to call Aunt Lillian to ask if we could go spend some fun time on the farm. Once I overheard aunty tell uncle Ernie who obviously was not near the phone at the time ” Ernie ! The Smith boys want to come visit ” and his answer was Oh Chr… no, not again. I used to put my ear up to my mom’s to listen for their reply. Then there was a short silence but the answer was inevitably always ” sure, uncle Ernie said he was happy to have you guys”. We were’nt his favourite company because of all the attrocities we committed on our previous visits. So, because I wanted to get on his good side, I tried to help with chores around the barn and yard. Uncle Ernie used to keep his milk cans in the chicken coop and would load them onto his truck to haul to the dairy or wherever. I remember putting five little chicks into one can and putting the lid on, why?, I can’t recall, but I forgot to release them and left the coop. When he was loading his truck the next morning, he let out a scream which woke me up from my sleep in the house. Then later in the same day (I think) I managed to start up his old tractor by cranking it from the front and pushed the notched gear lever forward to make it move. It started rolling away pretty fast and I could’nt stop it as I ran next to it. The tractor ended uo rolling through their beautiful garden tearing it up a lot. So, having earlier earned a reputation as a little troublemaker just because I filled the exhaust pipe on the tractor hood with some fine sand, I felt I would be banned from the farm forever. But no, uncle Ernie still welcomed me back all the time. I hope God gives him one of his best spots up there, he deserves it.

I have treasured memories of Oncle Ernest… as a young boy I would look forward to visiting the farm. He always made us feel welcome…let us ride the mimi bikes around the fields and let us have the very best from their wonderful garden. A childhood memory that will stay with me forever. Un personnage incontournable avec un grand coeur. Que le seigneur vous benisse cher mon oncle et protege votre ame. Beaucoup d’amour ! Pierrot

To my dear friend Sherry. I was saddened to hear about the passing of your Gramps. I never had the pleasure of meeting him but I know what a special place he had in your heart and vice versa.I don’t think I will be able to play cards now without cheating and thinking of the two of you! Sending you and Nolan our comfort and love. xo Donna and John

Picture taken on the second week of August 2012. I have too numerous memories of my stays and visits to the farm to mention all of them here. I would like to have Grandpa; when he gets up there to say hello to my dad (Renay) and Norman.

We have been married 50 years now and throughout all those years we always loved going back to the farm to see all our cousins. We always came back with a warm and comfortable feeling from those visits. Uncle Ernie and aunt Lillian opened their home to countless relatives and friends. What treasured memories Gisele and I have together but particularly those that I cherish from my numerous stays as a young (innocent) little boy. I never could pay back uncle Ernie in any kind of currency for all the damage I caused on the farm. What swells my heart is that he never got mad at me. We just wish we could be there in person to re-open our treasure box of memories. He had a genuine and considerate heart of gold. Love him dearly.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the Gratton family. I fondly remember being taught how to dance in the livingroom out at the farm by Ernie back in the late 70’s. Memories of Sunday dinners and Lillian would cook and feed all of us. Memories I will hold forever in my heart.

our deepest condolences to the family.ernie is gone fishing.i always called him dad. he always had a smile and gentle ways,a true gentleman.a legend in his time.he was fishing up to the end and still driving. we will very much miss you. god bless

our deepest sympathies are with you all, ernie had a great effect on all of us who met him from nenagh his humour and hospitality will never be forgotten. god bless you all. the campbell family, tippeary