Vezina, Alfred Gilbert
May 6, 1925 ~ June 29, 2009
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gilbert Vezina, he left his family Monday afternoon June 29, 2009.
He leaves to mourn him Bernadette, his wife of 59 years, their six children: Lorraine (Flavio); David, Susan; Elizabeth (Neil); Charles (Jeanne); Bernadette (Remi); and Gerald; grandchildren: Michael (Karma), Bianca (Stephen) and Bambi; Raymond and Jeffery; Dawn and Joey (Jen); Kenny and Lisa; Barb (Dan), Jamie, David (Kat) and Kerry; great grandchildren: Cameron and Emily; Amanda, Sarah and Jared; Elaena; and Jack. Missing him too are their “Spare Kids”, who shared many family times with them.
Gilbert also leaves numerous sisters’ and brothers’ in law, nieces, and nephews scattered throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
Gil was born and raised in northern Ontario. As a young man, he served his country with the Lake Superior Regiment, Motorized Infantry, serving overseas during the 2nd World War.
After the war, he met and married his wife Bernadette and they began their family. Gil held many jobs during the family’s early years, logging, scaling, fishing, guiding, tourist camp owner and Brakeman for the CN Railroad.
Early in 1964, Gil came to Nanaimo and found work at the Harmac Pulp and Paper Mill; shortly thereafter, the family joined him. He worked at Harmac 26 years until his retirement, finishing his career at Harmac as Shipping Crew Foreman.
Gil was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting, fishing, going “mushrooming”, and relished every opportunity to be in the woods or on the water. He spent happy weeks each year moose hunting on and around Tezeron and Pinchi Lakes in northern BC. He also loved to spend time at the “Family” camping spot near Port Renfrew on southern Vancouver Island.
While a member of the Nanaimo Fish and Game Club, he taught many the fine art of “calling moose” using a birch bark horn.
Gil was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, joining first in Ontario, then rejoining Lodge #1052, Chase River, in January of 1967. He served his Lodge in many capacities; at his passing, Gil was a Past Governor and Legion of the Moose Member who had earned his Fellowship Degree.
A Veteran, he belonged to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #10, often helping with events that took place there.
In his later years, Gil joined the Jonanco Workshop and enjoyed many hours there learning to make jewellery, cut rocks, and use the lathe to turn wood into beautiful, useful objects.
We will miss Gilbert, as Husband, Dad, Grampy, Poppa, and Friend; he was important and special to each of us.
The family gives Special Thanks to the kind, caring Nurses and Staff on the 5th floor of NRGH, also Dr. Olivier, Dr. McNie, and Dr. Trajan.
There will be a Memorial Service and Tea in his honour at the Moose Hall in Chase River on Saturday July 11, 2009 at 1:00 pm.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Nanaimo Association for Community Living or a charity of your choice.
Sands ~ Nanaimo
(250) 753-2032