ERIC GEORGE ERNEST COX B.A.

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ERIC GEORGE ERNEST COX B.A. L.Th. February 11, 1928 December 7, 2012 Amicus Certus in Incerto Mundo (a certain friend in an uncertain world) After a lengthy illness, Eric died at 2:30 a.m. on Friday, surrounded by peace and love at Deer Lodge Centre. He is survived by Anita, his wife of 41 years, and his cousin George Frost in England. He was predeceased by his parents in 1985, George Folliett Cox and Edith Emson Frost Cox, and his first wife Nancy. Eric was born and raised in London, England, and joined the British Merchant Navy at the age of 16 years, serving during the Second World War. Later, he immigrated to Durban, South Africa and worked as a Shipping Agent. Eric and Nancy returned to England where he studied and passed extensive examinations to become a Chartered Ship Broker. In 1951, they immigrated to Winnipeg, and Eric entered St. John's College to study theology; was ordained as an Anglican Priest; and received a B.A. majoring in English. His first Parish was Old St. Andrews in Lockport, Manitoba. He was appointed Dean of the Interlake and traveled extensively up the west coast of Lake Winnipeg. Eric lectured in Theology at St. John's College and taught at St. John's Boys School. He was one of the Masters who, in 1959 with a group of students made the round trip, rowing from Winnipeg to Norway House. Eric and Nancy returned to Winnipeg and opened a Half-Way House for teenage girls under the auspices of the Anglican Church at 69 St. Cross Street. During this period, Eric completed post-graduate studies in counseling in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1963, he was appointed the first Protestant Chaplain in Manitoba at Headingly Gaol. Eric was then appointed Supervisor of Staff Training in 1966, at which time he developed a two-year certificate program for Correctional Officers that was used and translated into several languages. His focus was to shift the emphasis from a simple incarceration function to one of rehabilitation. He was appointed Superintendent of Headingly Correctional Institution, and then Director of Corrections for the Province of Manitoba in 1970. In 1976 Eric was asked by the Federal and Provincial Government to study and report on the Criminal Justice Systems in Britain, France, Germany and Holland. On his return, he was appointed Inspector General and then Assistant Commissioner of Corrections. Following retirement in 1983, Eric was appointed a Magistrate for the City of Winnipeg, and he also assumed responsibilities as a Non-Stipendiary Priest at St. Chad's Anglican Church. Eric was diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease in December of l999 and spent his latter years coping with all the disabling effects of this illness. Many people assisted him during these difficult years: Our grateful thanks go to Maryann Warga, Rozalie Lazar, Eve Sidwall, Tara Keyser, the staff at PRIME, and Arlis Decorte. Susan Perich and the staff on Tower 3 of Deer Lodge Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. in the St. Chad's Anglican Church, Assiniboia Christian Centre, 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Eric was a special man, a good man who dedicated much of his life to the service of others. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 15, 2012