MALCOLM "MAC" GILLIES

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MALCOLM "MAC" GILLIES It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our father and grandfather, at age 93 on September 6, 2004 at the Swan River Valley Personal Care Home. Mac was born February 16, 1911 at Lenore, MB, the eldest son of Donald and Ellen Jane Alexander. He received his education at Lenore Consolidated School. He also attended Brandon College where he received his science degree from McMaster University (affiliated with Brandon) in 1936. Further studies were taken at the Navigation School at Saskatoon where he graduated as a Flying Officer. Mac spent 41 years working in education for the Province of Manitoba, first as a teacher for 25 years in rural schools at Lothair and Grainsby (near Dropmore) where he boarded at the Warldes and met his wife Lucy Edith. After teaching several years at Russell Collegiate, Mac and Lucy were married in 1938 and moved to Transcona where he taught in the collegiate for 19 years. Mac was then appointed Inspector of Schools for northern Manitoba with headquarters at The Pas for four years. He served schools at The Pas, Flin Flon, Lynn Lake, Snow Lake, and schools along the Hudson Bay Line and often flew into many remote communities. He was involved in starting the first school at Thompson in a three bedroom house. From The Pas, Mac was transferred to Midland and Portage la Prairie School Division with headquarters at Carman, MB where he served as Inspector of Schools for a further 16 years. Mac will long be remembered for his kindly and helping spirit towards his teachers and pupils. He was always positive in helping them in their work and studies. Upon retirement in 1973, Mac and Lucy spent 15 enjoyable winters at the Pine to Palm Trailer Park at Weslaco, TX in their mobile home on Crocus Street. Mac, throughout his life took a very active interest in community affairs, serving on church boards, park boards, and community clubs. He was Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge in Carman in 1967. He was an avid golfer, curler, baseball player. He enjoyed gardening as a hobby both in Texas and Manitoba and always being very generous to his friends and relatives when it came to harvesting his vegetables, flowers and fruit. Mac was predeceased by his wife Lucy in 2001; his oldest son Kenneth Malcolm at the age of 12 with a brain tumour; his parents, Donald Gillies and Ellen Jane Alexander; five brothers and one sister. Surviving are his sister Donna Johnstone; son Boyd and his wife Emily; grandchildren, David (Marsha) and Erin (T.J.) plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. Mac will long be remembered by his family and friends as a man of generous spirit, happy philosophy and caring approach to all he touched in the community, schools and church. Mac and Lucy spent their twilight years in their new condominium at Fred Douglas Place in Suite 1201. Here they attended many activities and made many good friends. Cremation has taken place. A graveside service 2:00 p.m. Thursday, September 9 at Transcona Cemetery. Donations may be made to Knox United Church or a charity of ones choice. BARDAL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM 843 Sherbrook Street, 774-7474 Condolences: www.bardal.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 08, 2004