VIC GERBASI

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VIC GERBASI Peacefully, after a short battle with cancer, Vic passed away on Tuesday, August 31, 2004 at the age of 79 years. He is survived by his loving wife Penny of 54 years; sons, Mike and Sam; daughters, Catherine (Cliff) and Teresa; grandchildren, Joseph, Rose, and Sarah and their mother Jenny, and Keziah and her father Duncan. He is also survived by his sisters, Yolanda (Angelo), Mafalda (Eddy) brother Sam (Ellen) sister-in-law Jean; brother-in-law Jim (Lydia) cousins, Raffelina, Rosemary, and Frank; numerous nieces and nephews; and lifelong friends, Harvey Baker and Basil Potter. He is predeceased by his parents, Salvatore and Guiditta; and brothers, Michael, Frank, and Eligio (Yvette). Vic was born on Sherbrook Street into a family of recent Italian immigrants. He grew up amidst a large extended family in the busy and diverse neighbourhood now known as West Broadway. During the Depression years life for the family was hard, but Vics childhood stories were always full of joy and adventure. He enlisted into the army in 1944 and served with the artillery in North Africa and Europe. After his return home, he worked at the CNR, Dominion Rubber, and Matthews Mechanical before starting his own business, Merit Rubber in 1972. In 1985 he sold his business to Linatex Canada from where he retired in 1989. Vic met Penny at his Uncle Sams Sherbrook Street restaurant in 1949, and they married in 1950. Together, they created a close-knit family that he considered his greatest achievement. His other passion was the outdoors: specifically hunting, fishing and gardening. Throughout all his years, Vics compassion, gentleness, sense of humour, and strength affected and attracted all those who came into contact with him. His life and his garage had an "open-door" policy for everyone in need: whether one had a broken spirit or a broken chair, Vic could tend to both. The word "no" was not in his vocabulary. He had time and energy for everyone. Dad will be greatly missed. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, September 3 at 11:00 a.m. in the Holy Rosary Church, 510 River Ave. with Fr. Sam Argenziano officiating. A viewing will be held one half hour before the service. Interment will be at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 4000 Portage Ave., with a luncheon to follow at the Holy Rosary Church. The family thanks the nurses, support staff and doctors at the Victoria Hospital for their exceptional care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victoria General Hospital Foundation Inc., 2340 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB R3T 2E8. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND RECEPTION CENTRE 885-9715 Family and friends are invited to sign the Book of Condolence at www.chapellawn.mb.ca.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 02, 2004