Warren GILLIES

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GILLIES: Warren Glen Gillies entered into eternal rest at Brandon Assiniboine Centre Palliative Care Unit on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 with his wife Darlene and sons, Alan and Neil, at his side. Warren was born May 21, 1937 to Alec and Beth (McLennan) Gillies and would graduate from Baldur High School having been involved in football, hockey, and baseball, pitching the Belmont Midgets to the AA Provincial Championship. During those years, he worked at his friend Tommy Lee’s grocery store, operating the soda fountain and sandwich counter. Warren began his career with Anglo Oil in Baldur as a truck driver, then transferred to Neepawa as bookkeeper, before becoming the company’s youngest Manager, in charge of bulk sales and a 24-hour service station in Portage La Prairie. The oil company's name changed several times, and was Gulf Oil in 1969 when Warren was transferred to Roblin, back to Neepawa for 6 years, then to Virden. While in Virden, Warren and his cousin Garth Lockerby decided to purchase Neepawa Tire in 1979. Here, Warren would remain, enjoying every working day, until suffering a stroke on Friday, November 3rd, while at work at the tire shop. His dedication to the business defined his life; he served all of his customers with respect, honesty, and integrity. His youthful work ethic was unmatched, even at the age of 80. When not at work, Warren had played baseball with the Neepawa Farmers, bowled both 5 & 10 pins, and curled as many games as possible each winter. He had competed in Provincial bonspiels 6 times, and was still planning to curl this winter. Warren had been a licensed private pilot license, and had owned a Cessna 172. Warren married Darlene Davie on August 12, 1967, and they were living in Portage when Alan was born in 1969, but were back in Neepawa, when Neil arrived in 1970. The family enjoyed camping in their Starcraft camper, before purchasing a cabin at Minnedosa and later one at Thomas Lake. Family vacations included trips to Disneyland and Disney World, Expo ‘86 in Vancouver, Memphis, Nashville, Indianapolis, and several trips to California to visit relatives. Warren was an avid sports fan, supporting the Neepawa Farmers Baseball team, and traveling with Darlene and friends to Minneapolis to cheer on the Toronto Blue Jays just this fall. He and Darlene have had the same seats at Neepawa Natives MJHL home games for 28 years, and Warren was scheduled to volunteer at their hockey game the day he passed away. Warren always had a large garden, giving away much of his produce and grew over 1000 tomatoes this year. His most fervent hobby was making "Joker" game boards, while spending many hours in his workshop/garage near the Tire Shop, making new items and restoring old ones for his family and friends. He took up golf more seriously in his senior years, playing in the Senior League and practicing many mornings by himself. Warren organized and hosted two Gillies family reunions at the farm, with over 100 relatives attending the second. He enjoyed visiting with all of his relatives, and tried to keep in touch with all, especially his Tennessee cousins. Warren's greatest pride was his family; he adored Darlene, supported Alan and Neil in their chosen careers, hobbies, and sports, and doted on his grandchildren, Shelby and Braden. Warren and Darlene endeavoured to attend every possible rodeo and hockey game and everything else possible. During their 50 years together, Warren and Darlene travelled throughout Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Mediterranean. They attended many Regional and International Conventions for United Commercial Travelers, having made a whole new circle of friends, who had become their UCT family. They made many trips to Meza, AZ to visit Walter and Doris Parsonage, who had taught them to play "Jokers". Greatly missing Warren will be Darlene, Alan, Neil (Lisa), grandchildren Shelby and Braden, sister Eleanor (Ted) Dearsley, nephews Darcy (Lianna) and Gord (Joy), nieces Alexis (Ted) Billeck and Debbie (Doug) Roeges, Eleanor's 7 grandchildren, the Davie families, many cousins, and countless friends. A celebration of Warren's life was held on Monday, November 13, 2017 at the Yellowhead Centre in Neepawa, with Rev. Kristin Woodburke officiating. Special music was supplied by Richard Davison, Myra Bennet, and the Springhill Youth Choir. The eulogy was written by Alan Gillies and read by family friend Rev. Joe Ball. A private interment was held at the Riverside Cemetery, Neepawa, with Neil Gillies the urnbearer. Clarke's Funeral Home of Gladstone was in charge of arrangements. Donations in memory of Warren may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, or the Beautiful Plains Community Foundation.

As published in Brandon Sun on Dec 16, 2017