Francis GILLIARD

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GILLIARD: With his family by his side, Francis Maxime Gilliard of Belleview, Manitoba, passed away in Virden Hospital December 12th, 2018 at age 70. The youngest son of the late Jeanne and Maxcime Gilliard, born April 2nd, 1948, attended school in Belleview, Pipestone and Reston. He enjoyed curling, broomball, horseback riding, and at age 16 began farming with his family. Francis and Rose Marie married July 26, 1969 in Virden Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. They purchased the cattle and family farmland, living in their own home next to Jeanne. With their children, Francis and Rose Marie built a hog barn, raised purebred pigs; drove teams of Belgians and Percherons; farmed grain and hay; raised cattle, horses, specialty birds, and Chesapeakes. Francis sold hay to farmers, ranchers and race tracks in Canada and United States. Francis excelled at fixing machinery and welding several projects, enjoyed working for Wilkinson Steel and welded a totem pole in memory of his parents and heritage, which stands on their Century Farm property in the RM of Pipestone. On September 21, 1996 the Gilliard family celebrated their Century Farm. Francis and Rose Marie were members of the Pipestone 4-H Beef Club, Belleview Community Club, Roman Catholic Church committee and many other associations. Francis taught his girls everything necessary to build, sustain and take pride in a prosperous farm life and his grandchildren to drive, hunt, care for animals and ride a horse. He enjoyed movies, watching grandchildren play with toys and participate in sporting events. Francis was predeceased by his son, Roland, parents Jeanne and Maxcime, brother Rene. Francis will be sadly missed by his wife Rose Marie, children Jocelyn (Michael Bender), Giselle, Sabrina (Mike Dean), Patricia Gilliard (Lee Rogers), Jim Bryce (Melanie Spring); grandchildren Keegan and Kristen Bender; Brianna and Rylan Dean; Jordyn and Hudson Rogers; Connor, Tiffany, and Aisha Bryce and family and friends. Memorial donations may be made to Canadian Mental Health Association or Manitoba Lung Association.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 02, 2019