JAMES BERNARD (BERNIE) GILL

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JAMES BERNARD (BERNIE) GILL June 18, 1931 - February 1, 2007 It is with great sadness that the Gill Family announces the passing of James Bernard (Bernie) Gill of Dufresne, Manitoba, peacefully on Thursday February 1, 2007. He is survived by his wife Ann, daughter Barbara Rublee (Brad) and grandson Dennis of Saskatoon, son David (Linda) of Chicago, daughter Pat of Calgary, brother Tom (Elma) of Atlanta, sisters Thelma Fletcher of Winnipeg and Helen Wilde of Regina, and many other relatives. Bernie was predeceased by his parents Clifton and Mae; brother John and sister Florence Polson. The youngest of 6 children, Bernie was born in Winnipeg in 1931 and grew up in the Fort Rouge area. His outgoing personality, genuine interest in people and incredibly infectious smile made him a natural salesman. His love of travel and meeting new people insured Bernie had chosen the correct career path. While selling insurance in Winnipeg, he met his future wife Ann Wytrykush and married on May 18, 1953 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. In 1955 Bernie accepted a position with the Rowntree Chocolate Company in Saskatoon where he became very active in the Associated Canadian Travellers Association and served as President for several years. In 1967 he accepted a position with the DuBarry Cosmetic Company and moved to the Fort Richmond area of Winnipeg. In the early 1970's Bernie started his own company, B. Gill Agencies Ltd., a Manufacturer's Sales Representative Agency representing many major companies in the women's cosmetics and men's toiletries industries including Bonne Bell. Bernie operated this Agency until his retirement in the late 1990's. True to his nature of always helping people Bernie offered opportunities and employment to his family throughout the years. In 1994 Bernie and Ann moved to their newly built house in Dufresne, Manitoba. Bernie had a very warm and giving heart and was very family oriented. Throughout their entire life together Bernie and Ann opened their home to many family and friends with temporary and long term arrangements. The family that lived with the Gill's in Saskatchewan and Manitoba encompasses a long list from Bernie's and Ann's large extended families. In the 1980s Bernie and Ann sponsored Ann's second cousin from Poland. They provided her a second home and helped her get established and married, and facilitated sponsoring her brother and parents coming to Canada. Bernie was very active in the Fort Richmond community and Minor Hockey. In the late 1960s he served as Executive Director for the Fort Richmond Community Club, and as a Minor Hockey Team Manager for the Richmond Kings, Fort Garry Twins and South Winnipeg Monarch Minor Hockey clubs. His minor hockey resume included several provincial Tier 1 and 2 championships. Bernie loved to travel and visited the United States, Bermuda, Jamaica, England, and several European countries. As well he enjoyed many happy times at the family cottage in Belair which he built in1967. His musical interests and talents included the violin, bagpipes and the piano. Bernie was a man of strong faith and maintained a lifelong association with the Catholic Church. He believed wholeheartedly in the mission of the Knights of Columbus which he joined in 1950, becoming Grand Knight in 1987, a Faithful Navigator from July 1988 to June 1989 and Manitoba State Deputy from 1999 to 2001. One of his favourite memories was a trip to Italy in 1988, where he and Ann were granted a private audience with the Pope. Bernie was a founding parish member of Mary, Mother of the Church at its initial location in the former Church of the Nazarene building on Silverstone. He was instrumental in Mary Mother of the Church's efforts to build their new Church on Kirkbridge and then the associated Seniors Housing Facility. Prayers will take place on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish, 85 Kirkbridge Drive. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 2:00 p.m., also at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish with Rev. Father Carl Tarnopolski, V.G. presiding. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 05, 2007