With great sadness but also a wealth of happy memories we say goodbye to Wilfred Frederic Keir Gervais. Wilf passed away peacefully on Sunday evening with Mary Anne, his wife of 45 years, by his side. He was born in 1939 in Porcupine, Ontario to Wilfred and Mae Gervais and grew up in the area.
After attending Concordia University and the Ontario College of Education, Wilf taught in Schumacher, Ontario, Quesnel, BC, then moved to Victoria where he was a popular teacher at Mount Douglas Secondary and then at Belmont Secondary until he retired in 1999. Wilf was loved by his students who, even after his retirement, would approach him on the street to share their fond memories and good wishes. He started a blood donor clinic with his students at Belmont and gave his own rare blood type many times.
Wilf had a wonderful ear for music and a prodigious memory for poetry and song. He loved to travel and with Mary Anne visited China, Mexico, Hawaii, New Orleans, Western and Eastern Europe. He made two final trips to Italy in 2018 before Covid. He is survived by Mary Anne, his daughter Lena (Steve) and granddaughter Isabella, sister Patricia Hebert, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Jacques.
Wilf’s joyful, gentle personality, the twinkle in his eye and his love of life made a positive difference on everyone who knew him. Wilf will be forever missed by Mary Anne and all who loved him dearly.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
JO LEE MANSELL
-
Rose Barrow Mary Ann, Lena & Isobella
My Condolences to you and your family.
My thoughts are with you
Rose Barrow
-
Lee Robinson Dear Mary Anne , Lena, Steve and Isabella
So sorry to hear of Wilf’s passing. He certainly had a zest for life and what a wonderful story teller. He enriched many lives. Will be fondly remembered. You are in my thoughts and prayers Mary Anne and family.
Condolences , Margaret Lee Robinson
-
Ray Lemire My condolences to you Mary Anne and your family.
-
Michael & Charlene Doody Dear MaryAnn, Lena & Family
We are so sorry to hear of your loss
We are thinking of you
Our Prayers and our Thoughts are with You
-
John Amadio Dear MaryAnne and Lena and Family
We are so sorry to hear of Wilf’s passing. Please know that we are thinking of you all during this difficult time.
John and Sandy
-
Susan Amadio Dear MaryAnn, Lena, Steve and Isabella.
So sorry to hear this sad news.
We are thinking of all of you with heartfelt condolences.Susan and Lorraine
-
Chris and Terry Pawson So sorry to read about Wilf’s passing. Our sincere condolences to you, Zia, as well as Lena and family.
-
Carmela Auciello Dear MaryAnn and Lena, and family
Sending you our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May he Rest In Peace. I hope you continue to feel surrounded by much love and peace.
Love Sara, Carmy and family ❤️
-
Ruth Parisi Dear MaryAnne and Lena and family
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Ruth and Joe
-
Ruth McCubbin Our heartfelt condolences to you and all your family, Lena.
Cam and Ruth McCubbin
DEAREST MARY ANNE, LENA And FAMILY,
Dearest Mary Anne —
The pain now is part of
the happiness then!
My Love — Jo Lee Xxx
________
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
I am I and you are you
Whatever we were to each other
That we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way you always used
Put no difference into your tone
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow
Laugh as we always laughed
At the little jokes we always enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Without the ghost of a shadow in it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolute unbroken continuity
What is death but a negligible accident?
Why should I be out of mind
Because I am out of sight?
I am waiting for you for an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
Canon Henry Scott-Holland, 1847-1918, Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral
Westminster, Grater London, UK
_________________