With great sadness but also a wealth of happy memories we say goodbye to Wilfred Frederic Keir Gervais. Wilf passed away peacefully on Sunday evening with Mary Anne, his wife of 45 years, by his side. He was born in 1939 in Porcupine, Ontario to Wilfred and Mae Gervais and grew up in the area.
After attending Concordia University of the Ontario College of Education, Wilf taught in Schumacher, Ontario, Quesnel, BC, then moved to Victoria where he was a popular teacher at Mount Douglas Secondary and then at Belmont Secondary until he retired in 1999. Wilf was loved by his students who, even after his retirement, would approach him on the street to share their fond memories and good wishes. He started a blood donor clini with his students at Belmont and gave his own rare blood type many times.
Wilf had a wonderful ear for music and a prodigious memory for poetry and song. He loved to travel and with Mary Anne visited China, Mexico, Hawaii, New Orleans, Western and Eastern Europe. He made two final trips to Italy in 2018 before COVID. He is survived by Mary Anne, his daughter Lena (Steve) and granddaughter Isabella, sister Patricia Hebert, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Jacques.
Wilf’s joyful, gently personality, the twinkle in his eye and his love of life made a positive difference on everyone who knew him. Wilf will be forever missed by Mary Anne and all who loved him dearly.
