BENEDICT HILMAR GILLIS

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BENEDICT HILMAR GILLIS Peacefully and surrounded by the love of his family, our husband, dad, afi, grandpa, and lang-afi, passed away at the St. Boniface General Hospital on Thursday, April 17, 2003. Ben was born on December 10, 1922 in Wynyard, SK to Joseph and Snjolaug Gillis. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in the Grandy District north of Wynyard. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served for two years on the corvette class H.M.C.S. Humberstone. Following his discharge in January, 1946, he returned to Wynyard. On May 12, 1946 Ben married Doris (Suek) of Muenster, SK and together they operated the family farm. Their first four children, Joseph, Helgi, Beverley, and Lynn were born in Wynyard. The family moved to Winnipeg in July, 1960. Two years later, their fifth child, Grace, was born. Ben was employed in the Forage Crops Division of the Plant Science Department at the University of Manitoba for 28 years. In his retirement, Ben earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Manitoba, graduating in 1996. On May 12, 2003 Ben and Doris would have celebrated 57 years of marriage. Ben was a kind, gentle man. He seldom spoke of himself or his accomplishments but was eager to hear about those of other people. He had a thirst for knowledge that was reflected in his love of reading. Ben loved the outdoors, enjoying camping and fishing with his family in the early years, and daily walks in the park and bird watching more recently. He enjoyed watching anything grow and provided tender, loving care to his plants and flowers. Always the farmer, after years of living in Winnipeg, he and Doris would often go for a drive in the country to "inspect the crops". Ben was particularly resourceful and, with help from other family members, built the house that he and Doris have lived in for the last 39 years. He was very proud of his Icelandic heritage and majored in Icelandic Studies while earning his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Manitoba. Ben strongly believed in socialism and was a supporter of the New Democratic Party. Shortly before he died, he posed the question that reflected the essence of who he was, "if we are not here to look after each other, then why are we here?". Ben is survived by his wife Doris; son Joe (Carole), grandsons, Rich (Darcee), Jamie, and Tim and great-granddaughter Camryn; son Helgi; daughter Bev Arnason; son Lynn (Jane), granddaughter Vanessa and grandson Connor; and daughter Grace (Greg Sliva) and granddaughter Robyn. Ben is also survived by his sister Dee Dee (Harold) Westdal; brothers-in-law, Ivan Mitchell and Tom Kennedy; Doris two sisters, Jacine (Ron) Garner, and Marge (George) Mitchell, and brother Frank Suek; and their families; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Ben was predeceased by his father Joseph; mother Snjolaug; sisters, Emma and Clarabelle (Bella) and brothers, Joseph Jr. (Bud) and William. The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Oncology Department staff at the Victoria General Hospital, the home care staff, the staff in the Palliative Care Program, and the staff on the Palliative Care Ward at the St. Boniface General Hospital who cared for our precious husband, dad, afi, grandpa, and lang-afi. Special thanks to nurses, Collette and Tracy on the Palliative Care Ward at the St. Boniface General Hospital for their excellent care and compassion, and for supporting our entire family during this most difficult time. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 23, at 2:00 p.m. in the Trinity United Church, 933 Summerside Ave. Cremation has taken place. A private family service will occur at a later date in the Grandy Cemetery near Wynyard, SK. In lieu of flowers, donations to the St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation, 409 Tache Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3K 9Z9, (directed to the Palliative Care Endowment Fund) would be greatly appreciated.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 21, 2003