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GERRY STANLEY SOBIE Obituary pic

GERRY STANLEY SOBIE

Born: May 11, 1943

Date of Passing: Sep 14, 2023

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GERRY STANLEY SOBIE

With broken hearts, we announce the passing of Gerald Stanley Sobie on September 14, 2023 at age 80.

He was born May 11, 1943 in Winnipeg, MB to Joe and Jean Sobie and was a younger brother to Martin. After graduating from high school, he surprised his family by deciding to enter the seminary, but after being there for several months he came to realize that marriage and a family was his calling. He returned home and began working on his Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba. During that period Gerry met the love of his life, Chris (nee Malkiewicz) and they married on July 4, 1969, celebrating 53 happy years of marriage in July 2022.

Shortly after marriage, they relocated to Wisconsin for Gerry to pursue his Masters of Education, and upon completion they moved to Souris, MB where they started their family. Gerry is survived by his children, Tim Sobie (grandchildren: Sananda, Sequoia, Sitarah and Emerald), Jana Sobie, Paula Sobie and husband Jerry Grant and Laura Parr (nee Sobie) and husband Simon (grandchildren, Jude and Nova).

Gerry's career remained in education and counselling, with notable roles as the principal of Marymound (1980-1983) and St. Boniface Diocesan High School (1983-1990). After a family move to Cranbrook, BC in order to take a new job and fulfil Gerry and Chris' dream of living in the mountains, he completed his career as school counsellor for school district 2.

Gerry believed in the power of communication and 'talking about it' was usually the first piece of advice he offered when things weren't working out. As a father, Gerry modelled facilitating family meetings so we learned about negotiating and compromise with one another and we prioritized each other's dreams and ideas. He also believed that everyone had a story, and he was an expert listener who drew people to him with his open and gentle approach.

For Gerry, retirement was an opportunity to take on other work and activities he hadn't had time for earlier. The most satisfying of these was his interest in restorative justice which ultimately led him to create the Cranbrook and District Restorative Justice Society as well as the Nelson Police Department Restorative Justice Program. When his family moved from the prairies to the Kootenays - just before Gerry turned 50 - he took up downhill skiing and swishing down the slopes in Kimberly remained a favourite thrill each winter. When the weather warmed Gerry jumped on his beloved e-bike and impressed the rest of us with the hundreds of kilometers he pedalled each season. He also took up stained glass and nurtured his creativity by making a 'family calendar' each year so we remained connected over time and distance.

Frequently through their faith - especially with the congregations of St. Thomas More (Winnipeg, MB) and Christ the Servant (Cranbrook, BC), though not exclusively - Gerry and Chris established and nurtured many cherished and lasting friendships across the country. Gerry was a man of faith, and those who knew him realized his relationship with God was very important to him. However he wasn't a blind follower and over time his Christian beliefs rather than religious doctrine provided the direction and comfort he found in his faith.

Our family was his biggest priority and he was our North Star and our memory-maker. We all came to expect his 'homework' before a birthday or special occasion so we could share our reflections to mark the occasion. He would make all the time in the world for us when we needed it and we knew he always had our backs. Gerry had an enormous sweet tooth and being told to eat all the goodies he wanted was one perk to the illness he courageously faced at the end of his life. His belief that he will be reunited with his beloved wife, Chris, and that if he was really fortunate there would be sudoku in heaven, brings a smile to the family that he is leaving behind.

Our family would like to express our gratitude for the incredible team of medical professionals who provided Gerry with outstanding care. If you so wish, a charitable donation in Gerry's memory can be made to the Castlegar Public Library (https://castlegar.bc.libraries.coop/about-us/donations). A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Rita's (Castlegar, BC) on Wednesday, September 27 at 1100 a.m. Contact gerrysobiesfuneral@gmail.com to receive a recording of the funeral after the service.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 23, 2023

Condolences & Memories (10 entries)

  • I will always remember Mr Sobie for his quiet and calm strength while I was a student at St. B. Condolences to his family, friends, and to anyone who felt his impact. - Posted by: Leslie Z (Student) on: Oct 01, 2023

  • Mr Sobie was my principal at St Boniface Diocesan and a fantastic principal kind caring individual that guided us to our futures! Thank you Sir, rest east and my condolences to the Sobie family - Posted by: Candace heywood (Student and friend) on: Sep 28, 2023

  • Gerry and I became friends as teenagers while growing up in Winnipeg's north end and our friendship endured till the end. As the years went by our friendship grew as we shared each others joys and pains of life. Gerry was a good friend of many years. He was a man of great integrity. He was always honest with me. He was a great listener and had a lot of empathy and never judgmental. Gerry had a genuine love for all people, particularly his partner Chris and his children. Shortly after Gerry was diagnosed with his illness, Chris unexpectedly died which left a very deep hole is Gerry's heart. He often spoke of how much he missed her and how he longed to be with her again. After many months of pain and suffering, his wish has been granted. Gerry had many special people in his life but non as special as his two daughters Paula and Laura and their partners Jerry and Simon. After Gerry's wife passed away, those four people stepped in and took over where Chris left off. They provided Gerry with physical and emotional support way beyond what would be expected of daughters and son in laws. I can't thank them enough for being there for my friend Gerry. A week before Gerry died we connected on facetime. Even though he could barely move and speak he said, "how is your family?" That's the kind of friend and person Gerry was. That was my last contact with him.. I miss you my friend. Thank you for the many years of friendship and kindness. You are humanity at its best. - Posted by: jan banasiak (friend) on: Sep 26, 2023

  • Mr. Sobie was our principal at St. Boniface diocesan high school. He was always very kind, patient, gentle and soft spoken to the students. Sending our condolences to the Sobie family. May he rest in eternal paradise 🙏🏼 - Posted by: Lani Macalino Lardizabal (Friend of ) on: Sep 24, 2023

  • My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Sobie family. Mr. Sobie was my high school principal. He was a very kind man who always made time to speak to his students and always put their needs first. He was a great man and will be missed. - Posted by: Chris Bohonis (Student/friend of family) on: Sep 24, 2023

  • Gerry was a counsellor at St. John’s High School for a short time. I regret I’ve not thanked him again for the kindness + respect he showed a troubled kid. He was a very strong influence on me. We wrote to each other once or twice when he was in the states. Then I lost track of him. He was probably the most important person I had the pleasure of knowing in my last 2 years at that school. I still think of him from time to time. He was a wonderful man. - Posted by: Ron Bewski (Student/friend ) on: Sep 24, 2023

  • My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gerry. He was a very kind, caring, good listener kind of man. When my husband Jerzy passed away Chris and Gerry came to listen to my story of grief, of loss, of pain. Not knowing then that they would be going through this too. May Gerry and Chris Rest in the Peace of Christ! - Posted by: Mary Bibik (friend (related sort of through marriage)) on: Sep 23, 2023

  • To the entire Sobie family, my condolences. Mr. Sobie was our high school principal, and Tim was a good friend of mine growing up. We had some great times with the Sobie gang! - Posted by: Rob Demare (student/friend of the family) on: Sep 23, 2023

  • I have many memories of sharing “the faith” with Gerry and Chris Sobie as a parishioner st St Thomas More. Happy to hear of his wonderful retirement in BC and his continued involvement with the people around him. - Posted by: Valerie Key (Friend of the family) on: Sep 23, 2023

  • I was a Little League Baseball player for the CPAC Reds that Gerry coached in the very early 60's 1961, or 1962. We were the kids who couldn't make CPAC's first team the Falcons but Gerry made us feel like Kings. He lived on Burrows Ave. a few houses West of Arlington. (If I have the wrong Gerry Sobie please delete this story. We knew he wanted to be a Priest. Gerry thought us a lot about baseball and a lot more about life. Baseball has stayed with me to this day because of Gerry and I played as long as I could. Today I am an active umpire and one of the oldest if not the oldest in Manitoba. Thank you Gerry for all the things you taught us about baseball and life. Rest in peace. Ed Buraczewski - Posted by: Ed Buraczewski (Little League Baseball) on: Sep 23, 2023

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