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ETIENNE JOSEPH GABOURY
Born: Apr 24, 1930
Date of Passing: Oct 14, 2022
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ETIENNE JOSEPH GABOURY
Passed away peacefully on October 14, 2022, at St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 92.
Etienne was born on April 24, 1930 in Bruxelles, Manitoba to Valentine (Lafrenière) and Napoléon Gaboury and he grew up on a farm just outside of Swan Lake, Manitoba.
He was predeceased by his 10 siblings and is survived by his wife, Claire (Breton), his four children, Lise (Ibrahima), Pierre, Jacques (Barbara), and François (Allyson), twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by family and friends.
Etienne was a kind, warm, generous and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also highly respected and appreciated by his friends and peers.
Etienne began his studies at the Collège de St. Boniface in 1949 and graduated in 1953 with a BA in Latin - Philosophy. He then graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Manitoba in 1958 before studying at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, France in 1958–1959.
Following his studies in France, Etienne returned to Winnipeg where he spent the next six decades working as an architect and leaving his mark on the Manitoban landscape. He was known for his regional prairie designs which incorporated elements of the physical, emotional, and spiritual. He completed more than 300 projects around the world, including the Canadian Embassy in Mexico City (Mexico), and a Hotel School in Abidjan (Ivory Coast).
Other notable projects by Etienne include the Precious Blood Church, the Church of the Canadian Holy Martyrs, Blessed Sacrament Church, the iconic Gaboury Residence, the Royal Canadian Mint, the revitalization of the St. Boniface Cathedral, the Esplanade Riel/Pont Provencher Bridge, the Helen Betty Osborne Ininew Education Resource Centre (HBOIERC) in Norway House, Ecole Roland Lauzé School and Teacherages in Nelson House, the PsychHealth Centre at the Winnipeg Health Sciences Centre, and the Drake Centre at the University of Manitoba.
Etienne was the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of his work and service, including Canadian Architect Year Book Significant Building Award (1964, 1966, 1968), Honorary Doctors of Laws (honoris causa) from the Université de Saint-Boniface (1987) and from the University of Manitoba (2009), an American Institute of Architects Award (1997), the Order of Canada (2010) and the Order of Manitoba (2012).
Ever humble, thoughtful and open-minded, Etienne was an artist in the truest sense of the word, and he left an indelible mark on the Canadian landscape. While we will miss him deeply, we take comfort that his oeuvre remains a true testament to this remarkable man.
Thank you to all of the medical staff at St. Boniface Hospital who showed such compassion and took such good care of our father in his final days.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Desjardins Funeral Home, 357 Des Meurons Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba at 2:00 p.m., on October 23, 2022.
As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Etienne's name to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Family and friends may sign a
book of condolence online at www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca
Desjardins Funeral Home
204-233-4949
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2022
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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C'est avec tristesse que j'ai appris la mort de notre cher Étienne. Quel talent il avait. J'ai eu le plaisir d'avoir travaillé avec lui sur quelques projets, et j'ai toujours apprécié sa compétence, sa gentillesse et le respect des autres. Je garde d'excellents souvenirs de lui et de notre relation. A Claire son épouse, a Lise et Ibrahima, mes plus profondes condoléances sur la perte d'un être si cher. Que Dieu vous garde dans ce moment difficile de votre vie. Maurice Therrien - Posted by: Maurice Therrien (Frien) on: Oct 23, 2022
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My sincere condolences to the Gaboury family. I admired Etienne's amazing repertoire of architectural projects. Even more, I admired and respected him for the humble and warm human being that he was. When we talked he made me feel like an equal. In some ways we were - we both grew up on a farm. - Posted by: Rudy Friesen (Fellow Architect) on: Oct 22, 2022
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I’ve been familiar with Etienne’s work since I returned to Winnipeg in 1979. And I was honoured to collaborate with him for those few years when we made the book together. He was a remarkable man; kind and wise, humble and confident, gentle and exacting, intelligent, creative, and truly a good human being. Architecture for him was philosophy, poetry and spirit combined with technology and a deep understanding of the land and changing seasons. I am so sorry I cannot attend the funeral on Sunday. I send my deep condolences to Claire and the family. Garry and I had the pleasure of celebrating together with you in Ottawa in 2010. That he left such a visual legacy for all of us is truly a blessing. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by so many, including me. - Posted by: Faye Hellner (Colleague and friend) on: Oct 21, 2022
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Sincerest condolences to the Gaboury family, but especially to Francois, Allyson, and boys. We will always remember the meeting with your parents and will always admire your Dad’s beautiful designs. He had the most incredible eye for beauty when it came to architecture. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you. Deepest sympathies. Kevin and Audrey - Posted by: Kevin and Audrey (Friends ) on: Oct 20, 2022
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To the Gaboury; My sincere and heartfelt condolences in the loss of your family patriarch, Etienne. His physical presences and brilliance will sorely be missed in the days, weeks, months and years to come. May you find comfort in all of the grand memories and all of his physical attributes that still exist from his presence here on earth. I will never forget the privilege to have worked with him on the PsycHealth Centre at Health Sciences Centre and the word "serendipity" he incorporated into his design of the PsycHealth Centre! With deepest sympathy, Regards, Margaret Benoit - Posted by: Margaret Benoit (Former Project Officer for PsycHealth Centre at Health Sciences Centre) on: Oct 20, 2022
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Mes sincères condoléances, Claire et Lise. Votre époux et père était un de ces hommes qui n'ont pas eu froid face aux défis de la vie. Il était fonceur lorsqu'il savait qu'il avait le bon bout des choses. Ses bâtiments en sont foi. Il a toujours entretenu des relations sincères avec tous ceux qu'il rencontrait et son charme et bon entregent lui ont valu des amitiés de vie. Que Dieu vous embrassent et vous soutiennent pour les semaines et mois à venir. - Posted by: Claire Bérubé (Friend) on: Oct 20, 2022
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Sinceres condoleanses a la famille Gaboury et Lussier - Posted by: Aurele Teffaine (friend of Lussier Familyly) on: Oct 19, 2022
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On behalf of the HSC Foundation extending our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Gaboury family on the passing of Etienne Gaboury! Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute of his dedication to unique and significate architecture worldwide! Imagine the lives he's touched! An incredible legacy! We're sincerely sorry for your loss! Lynda Ruban staff & friends at the HSC Foundation! - Posted by: Lynda D Ruban (staff at Health Sciences Centre Foundation) on: Oct 19, 2022
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Aside from the early influences as a student my relationship with Etienne began when I requested photos of his work for a presentation I made at Montana State U. Returning to Wpg I was fortunate to gain employment with him and enjoyed my time assisting with many of the projects listed including Drake Centre, PsycHealth and Nelson House. He was a great mentor and was quick to refer to all of us as collaborators. While he was the consummate artist/architect he welcomed input and discussion. His passing brings back many fond memories of exciting collaborative work and Christmas parties! My heartfelt condolences to the family…Etienne will be greatly missed. - Posted by: Bill Schellenberg (Associate, Collaborator and Mentee) on: Oct 19, 2022
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