PERCY GESS

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PERCY GESS After a lengthy illness, the extended family of Percy Gess wishes to announce his passing on July 21, 2016 at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg. Percy was born on May 14, 1931. He was pre-deceased by his father Colman; mother Sheva; sister Lillian and niece Cindy. Percy grew up in Winnipeg's north end on Alfred Avenue. He attended William Whyte School, Strathcona School and St. John's Tech. Percy's first job was as an office worker where operating the Gestetner machine led to an interest in the printing business. He headed east to find work, first to Sudbury, then Toronto, followed by Montreal, yet returned home to Winnipeg after some time. Percy's next trip took him to Australia with friends, where he held various jobs including peddling goods door to door, selling clothing and driving a streetcar. In 1959, he returned to Winnipeg and began an almost 30-year career with CNR/VIA Rail. Percy worked as the senior service attendant in the Park Car. He was also the local union chairperson for the Canadian Autoworkers Association where he was the bargaining representative for western Canada. At the start of his career on the trains, Percy made more on tips than his wage of 90 cents an hour yet was able to save enough money to purchase his first house for $1,500! This led to an interest in buying real estate and he soon spent many of his days off between five-day trips on the train looking over properties. This sideline grew into a full-blown passion and over the years he accumulated properties throughout the city. These properties provided Percy with a cash flow that enabled him to return to his first love, travel. As Percy was a bachelor his whole life, he embraced the freedom to come and go as he desired. Trips to Buenos Aires, South Africa, Europe and Israel were among the highlights, but his annual five-month trip to Australia was really a home away from home. Percy will be missed by cousins Lorraine Reiner, Max (Fay) Reich, Sam Reiner, Marlaina (Hillel) Sommer, Susan (Wil) Scheiring, Stephen (Colleen) Reich, Shani (Marvin) Sharp and Cal (Samantha) Reich. Percy will also be missed by his close friends Stan and Mary Pogorzelec and Garry and Marcy Saunders as well as relatives around the world. The extended family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. Jeremy Lipschitz and the dedicated staff at GH3 at HSC. Percy's funeral service was held graveside at Shaarey Zedek Cemetery on July 22, 2016. Pallbearers were: Hillel Sommer, Micah Sommer, Wil Scheiring, Justin Odwak, Stan Pogorzelec, and Anibal Mass.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 25, 2016