Mr. Dressup and Mrs. Dressup: a wedding remembered

By Joan Janzen

Two generations grew up watching Mr. Dressup on television. Sixty-five years ago, on May 13, 1961, Mr. Dressup (aka Ernie Coombs) married Mrs. Dressup (aka Lynn Hodgkiss). Ernie wasn't wearing his typical bow tie for the ceremony, and Mr. Fred Rogers was the best man at their wedding.

The couple met when they were both performers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Rogers started his show in Canada and got Ernie Coombs his first big break in television as an assistant puppeteer.

Just married. Ernie and Lynn Coombs on their wedding day, May 13, 1961. RUSS CLAYTON FACEBOOK

Everyone's favourite. Mr. Dressup's famous tickle trunk was the most-remembered feature of the Canadian show, which ran from 1967 to 1996. RUSS CLAYTON FACEBOOK

Ernie decided to stay in Canada, where he developed a children's show which later became known as Mr. Dressup in 1967. The long-running show became famous on Canadian television.

Ernie's wife Lynn met a tragic end in 1992 when an out-of-control car hit her as she was coming out of a Loblaws store in Toronto. The impact killed her instantly.

Ernie continued to live in Pickering, Ontario, and eventually became a Canadian citizen and an honouree of the Order of Canada, among other honours.

His show ended in 1996, and he retired in Ontario, passing away in 2001. However, his memory lives on. A magical evening took place in Pickering earlier in May, just a short distance from where Ernie lived. The event was attended by his son and daughter.