Pavilion of Scotland - Manitoba

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Eric Gibbon - August 18, 2009

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HUGH ERIC GIBBON With profound sadness, the family announces the passing of Eric Gibbon on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 at 87 years of age. Left to mourn are daughter M'Liss Bunting (Bobby) and grandchildren Colin, Michael and Amanda, sister-in-law Jean McPherson, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his son John in 1978, his wife Beth in February, 2009, his parents, Hugh and M'Liss Gibbon, brother Arthur, and sisters Mary Blackshaw and Ruth Lelond and their spouses. Eric was born, raised and educated in Miniota, Manitoba, growing up on a farm overlooking the scenic Assiniboine Valley. He spent his youth exploring the area, fishing, and helping to catch the butterflies that contributed to his father's magnificent collection of over 50,000 specimens. As a young man, he spent a winter with a friend in northern Manitoba, trapping furs and roughing it in a log shed. Eric left home in 1941 to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and met his future wife Beth (nee Alexander) in 1942 while taking basic training in Winnipeg. He was stationed in Newfoundland during the remainder of the war, working in wireless radio technology. He and Beth were married after the war, in June of 1946. Eric worked for Canadian Aviation Electronics for many years, making a move to Canadian Rogers Steel as purchasing agent when CAE moved its headquarters to Montreal. Living their entire married life in Winnipeg, Beth and Eric welcomed family and friends into their home. Eric was especially fond of children and was the favourite uncle to nieces and nephews as well as a devoted father to M'Liss and John. Encouraging John's athletic pursuits led to many hours watching swimming and community club hockey. A special bond developed between M'Liss and her dad - he was the man who seemed to know everything, and was always there to proofread an essay, assist with grammar and spelling questions, carry dancing and pipe band equipment, volunteer at Folklorama, and give sage advice. With her dad, M'Liss planned summer excursions for the family, and Eric drove to Toronto, New York, Chicago, and Florida following the outlined itinerary. Eric retired in 1985 and enjoyed these last years gardening, reading, working crossword puzzles, following hockey and baseball teams, and going for very long walks. Beth and Eric enjoyed the casinos of Las Vegas and took several bus trips to the Shooting Star Casino in Minnesota. They spent many happy weekends at a niece's cottage, engaged in the activities that reminded Eric of his youth - fishing and picking blueberries. Helping to raise his grandchildren was probably the highlight of Eric's retirement years. Papa was always there to oversee activities or drive Colin and Michael wherever they needed to go, whether it was to school or extracurricular activities. His patience was unlimited and he doted on them. He affectionately called his granddaughter Amanda, Sally. Friday night dinners out became a treasured family outing. Eric was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2008 and steadily declined after the death of his wife. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Taché Centre and Concordia Hospital for their care and understanding. A remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 22, 2009 at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodière Blvd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Eric's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4G2 Glen Lawn Funeral Home 982-7550

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on August 22, 2009

http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/id-153939/