Gerry Gauvin

Gerry Gauvin passed away on April 17, 2025, at the age of 95.  He was born November 12, 1929, to Victor and Rose Gauvin (nee Briere).  He was the second youngest of 10 children. Shaped by the hardships of the Depression, he credited his work ethic to his father, who ran the dray and delivery service.  As schoolboys, he and his brother Phil would shovel coal from boxcars and deliver goods around town.  It was backbreaking work.

He attended Poirier School in Ponteix completing grade 10.  He later completed his GED and took bookkeeping and management courses, leading to a career as a Cooperative Management Advisor with the Government of Saskatchewan.

His first paying job was at Dubourt’s Hardware store with his brother Phil, and brother-in-law Andy Dubourt, before starting at Larochelle’s Central Garage in 1953.  He worked as a partsman, also completing any other duties that needed to be done including pumping gas.  It was while pumping gas that a green Plymouth pulled up—and his life changed.  Inside was Ruth Kemper, a lovely public health nurse from Shaunavon.  She came to town quite often, and he made the most of his time cleaning her windows to chat with her.  Their romance blossomed, and they married on November 3, 1955.

They welcomed their first child Denise in 1957.  With the encouragement of his brother Phil they moved to Regina and Gerry accepted a position with Marshall Wells Hardware Company.  Moving away from Ponteix, leaving his friends and parents was a difficult adjustment for him.  Fortunately, he was able to work in the warehouse for the first four years before accepting a sales position on the road.  He worked out of town Monday to Friday.  In 1960, their second child Victor was born, their third child Mina was born in 1963.  Life was busy, Gerry and Ruth were a tag team.  When he was home on the weekends Ruth worked casual at the Regina General hospital. In 1968 Gerry accepted a position with the Provincial Government in Swift Current.  The family followed in 1969.  He worked there until he took early retirement in 1987.  He then worked for several years at the Pioneer Co-op in shipping/receiving and maintenance.

He served on the Southwest & Innovation Credit Union boards for many years, and was a strong believer of the co-operative philosophy and a loyal Pioneer Co-op customer.

After Ruth’s stroke in 2002, Gerry became her full-time caregiver, lovingly tending to her at home for 13 years, a devotion that says everything about who he was.  After her passing, he volunteered at The Meadows—five days a week, for three years.  He visited people in hospitals and care homes until he could no longer do so.  He spent the last three months of his life at the Gull Lake Care Center.  Before that Gerry had lived independently at Riverview Estates for many years, especially enjoying the Wednesday night dances.  He loved to dance and was a very good dancer.  He was still dancing on his 95th birthday, a little slower, but still dancing!

Gerry did not like to sit idle, and fortunately for his family, many sheds, shelves, and swing sets were built throughout the years.  He was an avid walker, and back in the day played slow pitch until his early seventies!

Gerry always enjoyed coffee with his friends, and co-workers, and while mall-walking he liked to catch up with those working there.

Gerry’s spiritual life was important to him.  He believed in the power of prayer.  He prayed for his family and community throughout his life, even after his illness had set in.  He served the Catholic church in every role you can imagine—Finance board member, lector, usher, altar server—right up until he was 89.  He was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus for over 70 years.  For a span of 50 years was often the first person to welcome new parishioners into the Catholic parish in Swift Current.

Dad truly walked the talk.  His steady presence, his gentle humor, and his unwavering care for others leaves a legacy that challenges each of us to be just a bit kinder, a bit more faithful, and a bit more generous.  His life was one of quiet impact—lived in service, in love, and in deep faith.

Gerry is survived by: Denise Wallin (Ted), Vic Gauvin (Donna), Mina Krywulak (Laverne); grandchildren: Tyler Wallin (Ashley), Rebecca Gartner (Lucas), Rachel Yolland (Cody), Mitchell Gauvin, Danille Gauvin (Connor Thompson), Nick Gauvin, (Katie Andreas), Vanessa Gauvin (Greig Beveridge), Jackson Krywulak (Minji Kim), Dani Krywulak (Branson Tancowny);  Great-grandchildren: Jayan and Amelia Gartner, Brynn and Bobby Wallin, Talon Moen, Georgie Yolland, Willow Beveridge, Charlie Gauvin and Ottilie Tancowny.  As well as many nieces and nephews.

Gerry was predeceased by his wife Ruth Gauvin; parents Victor and Rose Gauvin; granddaughter Katie Wallin; brothers and sisters: Rose Ernie (Keith), Charlie Gauvin (Vivian), Irene MacIntosh (Allan), Fr. Leo Gauvin, Phil Gauvin (Terry), Cecile Hannon (Erick Jones & Keith Hannan), Raymond and Andre Gauvin who both died in infancy; in-laws:  Herman and Mina Kemper, George Kemper (Tilly), Frank Kemper (Marj), Lela Meyer (Victor), Ora Way-White (Harry Devine and Terry Way-White), and several nephews.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at the Gull Lake Care Centre, for the compassionate, respectful care they gave Dad in his final months.  We would also like to thank Warren’s Funeral Home for providing the funeral arrangements.

The funeral mass will be held May 2, 2025 at 11:00 am at Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church.  Followed by lunch, and the interment at Hillcrest Cemetery to follow.

Arrangements entrusted to Warren’s Funeral Home.  For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit the website www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.

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