GERALD (JERRY) GREGOIRE

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

GERALD (JERRY) GREGOIRE

April 5, 1930 - April 2, 2023

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our precious father, in his home, surrounded by his children, just three days short of his 93rd birthday.
He is now re-united with his loving wife, Clara, who preceded him into heaven in 1991 and whom he never stopped missing.
His memory will be forever cherished by his three daughters: Monique Catellier (René), Karen San Filippo (David), and Nicole Grégoire (Naz Mitha). He will also be missed by his grandchildren: Darcy (Lindsay), Daniel (Selena), Leanne (Jari), Clara (Branden), Amanda (Joey), Taja (Mouad), Brent (Mel), Guylaine (Aaron), Sophie, and Nadia, as well as his 13 great-grandchildren.
He also leaves behind extended family, close friends and neighbours who meant a great deal to him.
He was predeceased by his mother and father, three brothers and four sisters.
Our dad was born in St. Jean Baptiste, the youngest son of Victor and Léoda Grégoire (Rajotte). After his mother’s death in 1938, his family moved to Winnipeg where he attended Provencher school.
He often reminisced about his childhood in St. Jean and shared many stories with us throughout the years. A highlight of this last year for him was revisiting and retracing some of the areas that formed his earliest memories, including the site where he was born.
In 1950, he married his beloved wife, Clara Tanghe, with whom he spent 40 wonderful years. The years he spent with her were the happiest of his life.
Dad was extremely ambitious and had a relentless work ethic, which he passed on to his three daughters (albeit with varying success).
He found many opportunities to inform and educate himself. He obtained his Jeweler’s Diploma in 1961, after which he began a career at Eaton’s in the jewelry department.
Dad’s greatest passion however was woodworking. He could fix or build anything, and in everything he took on, he did so with a keen, artist’s eye. He was a talented renovator, and he created a beautiful home for our family in the Norwood Flats.
He also designed and built Clara’s Beauty Salon as well as opened his own Jewelry Store (Clef D’Or).
He had a dream to own his own river property, and in the ‘70s found the perfect place and built a second home for our family.
After the loss of his wife, Dad returned to Winnipeg and renovated a third home, where he lived for his remaining years.
Our dad had a joie de vivre second to none. He truly lived his life to the fullest with his family and friends. He had a unique and extensive repertoire of French songs and loved to sing and dance. He enjoyed good food (he made a killer pea soup, the best baked beans, and his own beer, wine and root beer). He also shared his mother’s ragoût de pattes de cochon recipe with our mom.
He was an avid gardener and he was famous for his plethora of juicy sweet tomatoes, which were the envy of the neighbourhood.
Above all, our dad had an immense and never ending love for each of us, which expanded beautifully to all of his grandchildren. We were the centre of his universe as he was ours. He wanted the best for us all.
What each of us treasure is that no matter how busy he was, whether we needed an ear, a reno, a dollar, or a hug, our dad was a dad we could always count on; he was always there. We shared many activities. Together we swam, rode bikes, cross country skied, played catch, enjoyed Friday family night at the "Y", and every year he took us to the Red River Ex where he joined us on carnival rides and games. We also went on many road trips where we had many interesting discussions around the campfire.
He taught us how to drive a standard vehicle, how to clear bush with an axe, how to fox trot and polka, how to sing questionable French songs, and how to "properly" do everything.
We will always cherish the beautiful memories we have with our dad and grandpa.
He will be greatly missed.
We would like to thank the Cardiology and Palliative teams who provided support to us while we cared for our dad at home in his final months, with a special thank you to Dr. Tam and Dawn of the St. Boniface Hospital Cardiology Unit.
We also greatly appreciate the love and support our family and friends provided during these last few months.
In accordance with our dad’s wishes, a cremation has taken place.
A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church located at 774 Archibald St., Father A. Le Gal officiating, followed by a gathering at the E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Home, 680 Archibald Street.
Interment will follow on May 2, 2023 at 12:30 p.m. at the Belgian Sacred Heart Cemetery located at 501 Plinguet Street, St. Boniface.

E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS
204-253-5086
ejcoutu.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 22, 2023