HUBERT GRAHAM MAYES (BERT)

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HUBERT GRAHAM MAYES (BERT) Bert passed away peacefully at the age of 74 on Monday, December 10, 2001, at St. Boniface Hospital. He was predeceased by his parents, Ralph and Jean Mayes, and his dear brother Carlyle. He is survived by his beloved wife Gerry; children, Valerie (Gary), Alison (Stephen) and Brian (Alison) and cherished grandchildren, Nicole, Andrea and Graham. He is also survived by his sisters, Ardyce (Korky) Koroluk and Marian (late Martin) Balint, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. Bert was born in Deloraine and never lost touch with his rural Manitoba roots. He always enjoyed trips to the country, especially in his retirement years when he presented Centennial Farm plaques on behalf of the Manitoba Historical Society. Bert was a distinguished graduate of United College, now University of Winnipeg (B.A.), University of Manitoba (M.A.) and Laval University (Ph.D.). After teaching high school briefly, he worked as a CBC Radio announcer and producer for eight years. He then returned to the University of Winnipeg, where he was a dedicated and respected Professor of French for 25 years. His life-long passion for French language and culture was reflected in his 17 trips to France and his keen interest in the Franco-Manitoban community. History was another of Berts loves. He enjoyed researching and writing historical articles, many of which were published in The Beaver magazine. His article about Lord Selkirks grave helped to bring about its restoration, and in 1978 he was honoured to represent Manitoba at a ceremony rededicating the grave in Orthez, France. Berts care and patience as a photographer produced many sets of beautiful travel slides, which he enjoyed showing to friends, students and seniors groups. Berts retirement years were very happy - trips to Europe with Gerry, family visits, coffee chats with old CBC friends, and making music as a fiddler in the band Scotch Measure, which accompanies the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. In the last seven years of his life, he amazed and impressed us all by becoming an accomplished violin maker. In 1997, Bert was honoured to be made a Fellow of United College. He was a true gentleman, a learned person of great integrity and humility. He was devoted to his wife and family, loved his home, his garden, music and conversation. He bore his final illnesses with great dignity. He will be sadly missed by all those who knew him. The family wishes to thank Berts endlessly supportive "brother", Lorne Wallace, and dear friends, Adam and Rena Laird. Heartfelt thanks to the wonderful, caring staff of the Palliative Care and Peritoneal Dialysis units of the St. Boniface Hospital. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 16 at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd., (south of the Royal Canadian Mint). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Manitoba Branch, 200-55 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 1L8 or the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Ave., Room ON109, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9. Arrangements entrusted to: GLEN LAWN FUNERAL HOME 455 LAGIMODIERE BLVD. 982-7550

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2001