JOSEPH DANIEL GILLE (GIL) BEAUDOIN

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JOSEPH DANIEL GILLE (GIL) BEAUDOIN On Saturday, December 23, 2017 at the Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg, Gille Beaudoin, aged 79 years of Winnipeg (formerly of Hnausa, MB and Storthoaks, SK) passed away. Gille was born in Storthoaks on September 21, 1938 in the family home (demolished in 2000). Predeceased by father, Urbain (1992), mother Annette (nee Gentes) (1998); and brothers, Hughie, Luc and Rod. Surviving to mourn his loss are cousin Sr. M. Carron and sister-in-law Lucille and numerous relatives and immeasurable friends across Canada. Gille was five when the family moved to a farm near Storthoaks. Schooled in Sask.: (Wauchope, Storthoaks, Gravelbourg and Bellegarde), his work experience began in Storthoaks at Toupin General Store, then Regina at the Army & Navy store. Gille travelled and worked extensively as a relief telegraph operator and station agent for CP Railway travelling to 15 to 20 stations yearly in Southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. In Winnipeg Gille studied hotel management and worked at the Viscount Gort in food and beverage management. This led to a career in part time event decoration. After training as a Certified Nurse Orderly at St. Boniface Hospital, the following 14 years took him to hospitals in Churchill, Portage La Prairie, Grace Hospital Winnipeg, Chilliwack, B.C., Prince George, Burns Lake, and Dawson Creek, where his true passion for health and community was ignited. Gill's next adventure, with a partner, was operating a filling station at Willow Flats, BC. Gille was passionate about service work, and spiritual life. A member of the A.A fellowship (1980) he mentored many, helped establish and support numerous community organizations (1Just City, Dignity), attended church regularly and loved church music activities. Obtaining Industrial First Aid Cert. took him to the oilrigs around Dawson Creek. Returning to Prince George, he worked at St. Pat's Halfway House for Alcoholics, as a counsellor and taking additional counselling courses. In Vancouver he studied at Langara College worked at The Great Northern Way Detox, and several halfway houses. Gille returned to Winnipeg to care for his ailing mother. Working at the Main Street Project detox centre and continuing his counselling education, he co-founded St. Francis' House in St. Boniface for recovering alcoholics, becoming its first director. For solitude he travelled north to a friend's fishing camp at Frog Bay. He loved an empty lot in Hnausa, MB and in 1989 with the love, help and support of Edgar Bardarson, the Delbridges and the Einarson family, Gille built his dream cottage there with no electricity and only a wood burning stove. He worked for Stan Orzech at the sawmill, Einarson Farms with the leaf cutter bees, as a proctor with Manitoba Health and at the Riverdale Place Workshop in Arborg. Gille loved Canada and those who fought to preserve our blessings, faithfully attending yearly Remembrance Day services, no matter the weather. He never hesitated to phone prominent elected leaders to discuss issues and injustices of those in despair and assisting those in need. He proudly cherished his career as an orderly. During multiple hospital stays he was quick to thank and appreciate all medical support staff- immediately after correcting their "modern" techniques. Gille was grateful for everyone who crossed his path. Very dear friends shared his final hours. God Bless you Gille - you were one in a million and will be sorely missed by all who knew you. Your faith, serenity, willingness, humility, and open mindedness changed many lives. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at 3rd Floor Chapel, 151 Despins St., Winnipeg, coffee and fellowship to follow. Father Gerry Ward to officiate. Burial to take place next day at Hnausa Manitoba church cemetery. Cremation has taken place. Gille would be honoured by donations to Winnipeg's Humane Society and 1JustCity.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 31, 2018