Gilles Hebert
On Saturday May 22, 2010, Gilles Hebert, 78, passed away at Riverside Health Care Facility, Fort Frances, Ontario.
Gilles was born November 2, 1931 in Arntfield, Quebec to the late Edgar and Lucienne Hebert. Gilles and his nine siblings grew up in Rouyn, Quebec. At the age of 14, he struck out on his own and began work diamond drilling throughout Quebec and Ontario.
In 1954 he married Cecile Auger. They moved to Atikokan, Ontario, where Gilles continued in diamond drilling. He hired on at Caland Ore as a rock driller, but soon changed to pit mechanic, and in later years became a certified millwright. He worked there until its closing – 21 years.
In the next two years, after miscellaneous jobs, he took a welding course and received certification. In 1982, Gilles and Cecile moved to Fort Frances where he secured a position at Boise Cascade as a millwright. He was a workaholic and the socializing he was able to have on the job was an added bonus. So it was, that he reluctantly retired in 1996 at the age of 65.
Gilles began his grandfathering role in 1989, with 13 year old Bobbi-Lynn. In her he found a captive audience for his many jokes and stories. In him she found a loving and generous grandfather. Four years later, she was off to university. In January of 1997 Hannah was born. Hannah brought new purpose to him and was the light of his heart. He visited with her pretty well every day. “You couldn’t have gotten a better child”, he would say. Later in the year, he suffered a heart attack and slowed his pace, though he and Cecile could be seen each morning having their coffee time at McDonald’s. In 2006, he thrilled at the arrival of Madeline. The sun rose and set on his granddaughters. Maddie absolutely loved her grandpa. “You couldn’t have gotten a better child,” he would say. These girls are where his heart showed its greatest outpouring of love and gentleness.
Gilles leaves behind his loving wife Cecile, son Robert (Raylene); granddaughters Bobbi (Victoria, Ashlyn, Stephanie), Hannah and Madeline; siblings Carmelle, Florence, Raymond, Doris, Harvey and Fred; brothers-in-law George and Phil Auger, sisters-in-law Jeanne, Theresa, Alice and their families.
Gilles was predeceased by his son Paul (1987), his granddaughter Paige (1994), parents Edgar and Lucienne; and brothers Lorenzo, Onil and Silvio Hebert.
A funeral Mass was held St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church on Friday, May 28, with Father Francis Pudicherry officiating. Pallbearers were Gary Barker, Fred Grozelle, Monty Howarth, Phil Lorette, Kevin Marusyk, and David Whalen. Internment followed at Riverview Cemetery. If desired, in memoriam donations can be made to the Gideons International in Canada, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, Box 89, Emo, Ontario, P0W 1E0. Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com.
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