EUGENE (GENE) GYSELINCK

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EUGENE (GENE) GYSELINCK The end of the trail, the last ride.. Peacefully on December 29, 2006, Eugene (Gene) Gyselinck passed away at the Victoria General Hospital. Gene was born in Toronto on February 17, 1918 and moved to Winnipeg shortly thereafter with his family. He worked on his parent's dairy farm until getting into sales with the vegetable marketing business - Gardiner Sales, Vegetable Marketing Board (later Peak of the Market) and developed many life long relationships and friendships with his cronies at these businesses. He retired in 1972 and spent many happy hours helping out his friends at the Stockyards and teaching many of them the finer points of cribbage! Gene loved horses!! He and Isobel met in the 40's and developed their life long love of horses and incorporated this love into the family, especially their son Paul. He was riding up until his early 80's and an inspiration to all his friends and neighbours in the horse industry all these years. Gene enjoyed many happy hours with his grandchildren over the years (Joel, Kirk and Joanna) out on the floodway in the dune buggy or quad or perhaps even just the John Deere tractor. He shared a special relationship with each grandchild, memories that will be treasured forever. There were many Sunday afternoons spent at the ranch, with family members zooming around on horses or motorized vehicles followed by a great BBQ dinner. We will never forget those days. Gene was predeceased by his beloved wife Isobel, sister Jeannette, parents Polidore and Madeliene Gyselinck. He is survived by his sons Paul (Barbara) and David (Wendy). He is also survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren - Joel and Tammy of Lac La Hache, B.C. (Kayla and Devon), Kirk and Jiness of Portage la Prairie (Clayton and Danica) and Joanna and John Friesen of Poplar Point (Madeline and Emma) and Linda Gyselinck of Poplar Point. He is also survived by his brothers Paul James (Grace) and Daniel (Julie), brother-in-law Mike Okalita and sister and brother-in-law Emily Poppenk (Burlington, Ontario), Ray Curtis (Hayden Lake, Idaho) and numerous Gyselinck and Curtis family nieces and nephews. Gene also leaves behind a slew of friends in both the horse world and his neighbourhood in St. Germaine, including close neighbours George and Marge Tresoor and Albert and Glenda LeSage. The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Gene's brother Jim and neighbour Albert Lesage, who were extremely supportive and helpful to Gene while he was living on his own since Isobel's passing. Their compassion and attentive care helped to sustain Gene through many months of difficult times. Thanks also to the Home Care staff who helped out briefly over this past month and the staff on the 4th floor at the Victoria General Hospital who provided excellent care during his stay there this past fall. Thank you to all the friends and neighbours who visited him while he was hospitalized and thanks to Dr. G. Pinette who provided excellent medical care of Gene over the past couple of years. Cremation has taken place and a service to celebrate Gene and Isobel's lives will be held on Thursday, January 4 at 9:30 a.m. at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd. Please bring a story to share with the family and friends at this gathering. Arrangements entrusted to: Glen Lawn Funeral Home 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 02, 2007