ALVIN ALFRED GERVAIS -

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ALVIN ALFRED GERVAIS 1936 - 2007 Peacefully, on March 31, 2007 Alvin returned to his Creator. Alvin was the second of seven children born to Margaret Brown Gervais and George Gervais in Antler, SK on January 23, 1936. He spent his early years in Antler and Bellegarde. He went on to study at College Mathieu in Gravelbourg, the University of Manitoba and Loyala University in Chicago. On December 27, 1964, Alvin was ordained a priest in the order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. That time was enriching for him in many ways. For six years, he served the community as provincial superior. Alvin spent years of training in the Virginia Satir Family Therapy model and eventually, he would teach it and use it in his work. He became a member of the International Avanta Satir network and served as a member of Manitoba Satir Board of Directors for several years. Later, the Spirit took him in a different direction. He left the Oblates but continued to work with the First Nations communities as a therapist and counsellor. His latest work was on the reserve in Roseau River where he focused on family therapy services. He was instrumental in establishing the Ginew Centre for Healing which provided therapy for survivors and families of the residential school system. Alvin married Beverley-Anne Joyce in 1993 and would spend the rest of his life as a devoted Lovey taking particular joy in gardening and travelling with Bev. For Alvin gardening was a chance to connect with the natural world: travel was always an adventure, a means to discover new places and people and to celebrate his bonding with creation. Alvin was a man of wisdom with a genuine desire to help others change their lives in positive ways. Alvin's generosity of spirit made his primary interest brightening the lives of others. Strangers he met would be welcomed as if they were old friends. Those he held dear were greeted with hugs, a twinkle in his eye or sometimes tears of joy. He lived his life full of grace and dignity with a great sense of humour. He longed to be a comic entertainer, though he only had one or two jokes which he repeated whenever possible, his laughter was infectious. Alvin's only regret in life was the lack of a singing voice. His best efforts took place singing You Are My Sunshine while driving trips with Beverley. Alvin's readiness to embrace the full spectrum of life - joys and sorrows, victories and setbacks, challenges and accomplishments- was clear until his very last days. When he was diagnosed with monastic melanoma in early 2006, Alvin opted to live each day to its fullest and to continue work and delight in his family. Alvin was, and will always remain, a blessing and source of loving joy to all those he held dear. As a person of great strength, gentleness, passion and warmth, his deep spirituality sustained him at all times. The integration of his faith and spirituality was evident whether he dialogued with people, attended mass at his beloved Coeur Immaculee, tended his garden tomatoes or spent time in quiet reflection. Another of Alvin's great passions was the acquisition of knowledge. He was a voracious reader of various topics whether it was favourite sports, international politics, human rights or creation centred spirituality. He was in awe of pictures of the universe from the Hubble telescope which drew him closer to the Creator. Left to remember and celebrate Alvin's life are: his beloved wife Beverley (Joyce), sisters and brother: Pearl (Nanaimo) Eva Gurnsey (Ray) Saskatoon, Alma Lajoie (Léo), Lloydminster, Allan (Mary) of Amarillo, Texas, Armande Haugen (Doyle) Saskatoon, Christine of Vancouver, sister-in-law Claudia Schmidt of Morris, mother-in-law, Ruby Joyce, many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts. Thanks to family and friends who loved and supported Alvin throughout his life and illness. Thanks also to the staff and physicians at Riverview Palliative Care especially nurses Barbara and Dannae. Prayers will be held on Tuesday, April 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons Street. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Timothy's Church, 135 John Forsyth Street, St. Vital on April 4 at 4:00 p.m., Dominique Kerbrat, OMI presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Room ON1160, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9, for research into the treatment of melanoma or the Riverview Palliative Care Unit 3E, 1 Morley Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3L 9Z9. The Desjardins Funeral Chapel in care of arrangement, 233-4949 or toll free 1-888-233-4949.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 02, 2007