Suddenly on Monday, December 24, 2018, Verney (Vern) Gilchrist passed away at the St. Boniface Hospital at the age of 83 years.

Vern was predeceased by his wife Valerie; as well as brothers Marvin and Sam Gilchrist. He is survived by son Michael Gilchrist (Charlynn); daughter Deborah Lawless (Tom) of Kelowna, BC; five grandchildren Michael C. and Jasmine Gilchrist, and Taya, Joshua, and Sarah Lawless; brother Bert Gilchrist and sister Darlene Fillion (Paul).

Vern was born in Steinbach, Manitoba and grew up in Ridgeville and Emerson, Manitoba. Vern moved away from home at a young age. He met Valerie Hnyda in Winnipeg, where they Married on May 29th, 1959. They had two children, Michael John and Deborah-Ann, and they grew up in Winnipeg in their family home at 989 Dudley Avenue. Vern spent his career as a Supervisor for Blackwood’s Beverages. After suffering some Hearing Loss his career with Blackwoods Came to a halt. He later joined the Knights of Columbus and became an active member within Holy Family Parish.

 

Vern was known for getting up early and loved to go to garage sales. He would make his rounds at the neighbors/friend’s house and family for morning coffee. On Saturday afternoons you would find him at the Legion for the weekly meat draw. Rumours have it, he may have enjoyed the slot machines as well. He enjoyed fishing for Pickerel and camping. Vern was always game for a good time, sometimes too good, but we all still loved him for it.

 

He was very close to his family and kept everyone connected. He even took drives out to Emerson for the day just to visit, aunts, cousins and siblings. Vern’s family meant everything to him, and you knew how proud he was because there would always be tears in his eyes every time you told him something good, or if something good had happened to someone. He truly appreciated the time that people came to visit him. If you were one of the lucky ones, he may have even given you a block of cheese to take home.

 

Vern had an amazing heart and would do anything for anyone he knew. He was often helping friends move something or checking in on elderly neighbors. Shovelling driveways in the winter and enjoying summer days driving out to Dauphin and Emerson to visit his brothers and their families. Vern was known to visit all around the city.

 

You always knew if you needed something, you could count on his help. As Vern suffered several strokes over the past few years, he had his son and grandchildren always close by. His nephew John and wife Angela, were also always a great back up if he needed anything. All the kids loved uncle Vern.

The family would like to thank the staff at Holy Family Nursing home and St. Boniface Hospital for making his last days as pain free as possible. He will definitely be missed however, every person who met Vern would remember a story that would put a smile on your face. His friends were just as important as his family, actually every person Vern met, he welcomed and opened up his heart and even his home at times because that was the right thing to do.

Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Verney’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road (Unitarian Church).