Gilbert Maurice Helbecque died on Sunday, July 26, 2015. He was 84 years old.
Gib was born in Nelson, BC on April 26, 1931 and raised in nearby Bonnington. Following careers as a millwright, pilot and teacher, Gib travelled with his wife Dawn to Kelowna to start their own business. Bag-It Custom Canvas employed several people whom Gib and Dawn treated like family. In 2006, at age 75, he closed down their family business and retired shortly after Dawn’s death.
Love of nature, photography, art and conversation ensured he made many friends on his daily walk through the Mission Park on his way to Tim Horton’s. He always spoke with those he met and encouraged them to live each day to its fullest, usually ending with “you can do anything you want in this life”.
Gib is survived by his brother Denis [Sandy], many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Dawn [nee DeFoe]; his brother, Raymond; and his parents, George and Cecile.
Special thanks to the nurses & staff at both Central Okanagan Hospice House and David Lloyd Jones House for the exceptional attention and loving care Gib received. You are all amazing people and Gib appreciated each and every one of you.
If you wish, please make a donation in Gib’s honour to the Central Okanagan Hospice House.
A celebration of Gib’s life will be held near Mission Park in Kelowna, August 22 at 1 pm. For more information please
email rdefoe1@telus.net or call 250-212-9377.