GERARD JOSEPH DePAPE

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GERARD JOSEPH DePAPE December 4, 1922 - December 24, 2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerard Joseph DePape, after a short illness, at the age of 92 years. Gerry is survived by his loving wife Angele (nee Haegeman) of 64 years of marriage; brother Ray (Anna) and sisters Alma (Harry) Smith and Mary. He will be especially missed by his brother-in-law John Haegeman and his wife Claudette; as well as numerous nephews; nieces; cousins; and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Marie; brothers Remi, Wilfred, Albert, George, John, Joe; and sisters Marguerite and Clara. In his youth Gerry was an exceptional goalie in hockey, a great pitcher in baseball and a keen participant in all sports. Throughout his life he especially enjoyed curling, golf, pool, horse shoes and fishing. It was always difficult to beat him at Belgian bowling or horseshoes; at the age of 87, Gerry along with his sister Alma won the DePape family reunion Belgian bowling championship in 2009. After running the family farm for several years Gerry and Angele moved to Winnipeg where he worked at Eaton's warehouse for 15 years and then the following 17 years were spent with Bee Maid Honey before retiring in 1989. Growing up on the farm near Swan Lake, Manitoba, Gerry took after his father and developed a keen affinity toward horses. Early in their marriage Gerry and Angele raised Belgians, showing them and competing at local fairs. In his retirement he became a well known show judge at many fairs throughout the province. He always attended the Brandon Winter Fair and was recently recognized as the six-horse team champion driver in 1956. Gerry and Angele loved travelling, either by themselves or with family and friends, travelling throughout Europe, Canada and the United States, as well as Cuba and Mexico. He especially enjoyed their annual trips to Espinola, Ontario, where he enjoyed fishing on Bass Lake and golfing with John and friends. Gerry also enjoyed ushering at church and all the time he spent with his friends at the church bingo; he was there when it started and continued until a couple of weeks ago. He couldn't wait for Tuesday nights when he would see all his friends at Bingo. Gerry was a soft spoken man of few words, but when he spoke he was truly worth listening to. His quiet wisdom and gentle affirmations will be sorely missed. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 7, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2400 Portage Avenue. Honourary pallbearers will be Gerry's life-long friends from Tuesday night bingo. Flowers are gratefully declined; donations in Gerry's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 195 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B7. Wojcik's Funeral Chapels & Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 204.897.4665, is in care of arrangements. wojciksfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 03, 2015