REV. CHARLES JOSEPH HECTOR GERVAIS, SFM

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REV. CHARLES JOSEPH HECTOR GERVAIS, SFM On March 1, 2018 in his 83rd year, Fr. Charlie went home to God. Born in Elie, MB the son of Fredrick Pierre and Marie-Louise Gervais, Charlie is predeceased by siblings Louie, Telesphore (Muriel Casler), Adrien (Evelyn Morriss), Henri, Laurent (Patricia Devine) and survived by Majella (late Alex) Dowhaniuk, Theresa (late George) Gauthier, Marie (late Ray Crocker, late John McColl), Archbishop Emeritus Marcel Gervais D.D., Estelle (late Fred) Gauthier, Celine (John) Howard, Denyse (Larry) Regan, Hubert (Gaetane St Amaur) and numerous nephews and nieces. Charlie was ordained in 1961 for the Scarboro Mission Society and assigned to the Philippines in 1962 where he was engaged in pastoral work but also very involved in the establishment of credit unions and cooperatives in Southern Leyte. In 1969, he was appointed Director of the Public Relations Department of Scarboro Missions and remained in Canada until 1973 when he was reassigned to the Philippines with the people he loved deeply and dearly. After a sabbatical in 1984, he returned to Mindanao in the Philippines and was elected regional coordinator of the Scarboro community. Charlie animated the work of the Scarboro lay missioners and their commitment with the Manobo people. In 2001 his commitment with indigenous peoples continued as he learned a new language and began a nine year commitment in Riobamba, Ecuador. Charlie has a don de gente', 'gift of people' and was both energized and evangelized by people wherever he was. His life was celebrated in a Wake Service in the chapel of Scarboro Missions, 2685 Kingston Rd. SW, corner Kingston Rd. and Brimley, on Sunday March 4, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection took place in the chapel on Monday March 5 at 1:30 p.m. followed by interment at the cemetery, Mary Queen of the Clergy. ln Charlie's memory, pray for peace and work for justice for indigenous peoples everywhere.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 06, 2018