Gilbert Charles McCannel
May 10, 1926– March 3, 2020
As published in the March 9, 2020 World-Spectator
His life wasn’t long enough. We still wanted more time with him. Gilbert Charles McCannel lived for 93 years and touched so many people. For all of us, we still want to hear his stories, feel his hugs and laugh with him. In his words, he was a simple Saskatchewan farmer but to everyone who knew him, he was a rare person of integrity, honesty, unconditional love and acceptance. Everyone who met him, loved him.
Gilbert was born on May 10, 1926 on the farm homestead near Doonside, Saskatchewan. Farming was in his blood and he took over the family farm and remained there until the farm was sold in 1977. He moved to Moosomin, Saskatchewan and then Brandon, Manitoba before making his permanent home in Edmonton, Alberta in 1978.
Gib was well known for his incredible knack for inventing creative ways to solve a variety of problems. As a farmer, he had to figure out ways to fix things with limited resources. He liked to call them his “Gibby fixes”! He was a genius at this. Although he always teased that he did not do well in school and only had a Grade 11 education, he had a brilliant and practical mind that would amaze even the most accomplished scholars. He was the person we always turned to when we needed help or advice.
Family was the most important thing to Gib but sadly, we lost him on March 3, 2020. He will always be loved and cherished by his wife, Willy; brother Ted; children Susan (Dave), Roger (Wendy), Judy, Caroline (Vern), Ruth (Rick), Ingrid (Doug), Peter (Donna), Gerrit (Anna); along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Archibald and Susan as well as brothers Ken and Alex.
As per Gilbert’s request, there will be no funeral service and his ashes will be interred in the Walpole Cemetery, Saskatchewan at a later date.
The family is grateful to Dr. Clarke, Dr. Walters and the Misericordia hospital staff for their dedicated care.
Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society, Moosomin Armoury or to a local charity of your choice.
Gib, you taught us how to love and live. Your legacy will carry on.
Loan guarantees in budget will create opportunities
Some positive news came for Indigenous communities across the country in the federal budget, with some $9 billion worth of housing, policing, health c...
700 attend grand opening for new Redvers Ag Kubota dealership
Around 700 people packed into the building and lined up for lunch on Thursday when Redvers Ag held the grand opening for their new Kubota dealership a...
Age Friendly partnering with Moosomin & District Seniors Club on transportation project
Moosomin Age Friendly is happy to announce that they will be partnering with the Moosomin and District Seniors Club Inc. to pursue a project for trans...
-
Out of $2,650,000 to be raised: fourth stage of airport fundraising at $ 1,746,514
-
RCMP take questions on recruitment, amalgamation, drugs and missing people
-
Megan Kelly pursuing her love of music
-
Saskatchewan growing at fastest rate ever
-
Teachers working to rule starting today
-
Rocanville pool refurbishment on track for summer construction
-
I’ve never been more proud of our little corner of the world
-
Skout Brewing ready to open this week
-
Town paving plan includes arena parking lot
-
IJACK gives $500,000 to airport project
-
Elkhorn rallies for Filipino family in need
-
Ty Cutler wins Rookie Buckle at Man-Sask auctioneering competition
-
Fundraising strong at Chamber meeting
-
Firefighter curling championships a huge success
-
Esterhazy receives more funding for new hospital
-
Wawota’s Suzanne Eisler to receive Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal
-
Play Fair Daycare updates on second building
-
“The government of Saskatchewan is committed to making sure that there’s a CT scanner in Moosomin”
-
Update #1 – RCMP Major Crimes investigating deaths near Neudorf, Saskatchewan
-
Yorkton RCMP investigating rollover
-
Amaranth RCMP respond to fatal collision
-
Construction grows in Saskatchewan
-
Moosomin starts planning for Communities in Bloom
-
Moosomin MLA Steven Bonk: ‘Our government is committed to having a CT Scanner in Moosomin’