LAURENCE C. GIBBONS

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LAURENCE C. GIBBONS Peacefully on January 9, 2000 at the Deer Lodge Centre, Laurence C. Gibbons passed away at the age of 102 years. Predeceased by his wife Olive, he leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter Leila Powell, daughter Shirley Goerzen; his grandchildren Sharon Ulrich (Mark), and David Powell (Jodi) of Colorado, Larry Goerzen (Karen) and Brad Goerzen (Leslie) of Winnipeg; great grandchildren Scott, Nicole, Allison and Danny of Colorado, Mark, Owen, Kayla, Riley and Zachary of Winnipeg. His brothers Cecil, Clare and Allen of British Columbia, his sister Leila of Manitoba and Marion of British Columbia. He was predeceased also by his parents Leila and James Gibbons, his brothers Harry, Willard and Melvin (Bud) sisters Lily, Ethel and Laura; and son-in-law Peter Goerzen. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, brother-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Born in Forrest, Manitoba in 1897, he served in World War I. Wounded at Vimy, France, he was sent to a military hospital in England for recuperation. Upon his return to Canada, he returned to Manitoba to farm in the Brandon area and in Rocanville, Saskatchewan. After his marriage to Olive, they moved to Winnipeg where he owned and operated Nairn Motors for many years. In the mid-forties he was employed by Billinkoff Lumber and Atlas Wrecking as Superintendent, retiring in 1967. Laurences vast knowledge of mechanics was called upon by many friends, and although quiet in nature, he had the ability to endear people to his dry sense of humour and friendly manner. In 1995, he left his home to enter Deer Lodge Centre which became his home until his passing. While there he celebrated the marking of the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary of Vimy Ridge, represented World War I veterans at the Memorial Service in 1998, and was honoured in December of 1998 to receive the Legion of Honour medal from the government of France. On his 102nd birthday, he had the privilege of meeting Princess Anne during her visit to Deer Lodge Centre. There will be a funeral service at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2000 in Thomson Funeral Chapels, 669 Broadway. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the wonderful doctors, staff and volunteers at Deer Lodge Centre for their dedicated care and attention. Special thanks to all those on T-6 who helped make him feel at home and cared for. He was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Deer Lodge Centre Foundation, 2109 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J 0L3, would be appreciated. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 11, 2000