GILBERT ANTOINE D’ESCHAMBAULT

Peacefully on June 29, 2025, Gilbert was brought home into the arms of Jesus and received the gift of Eternal Life. He passed away surrounded by his loving family at the age of 90 at Grace General Hospital.

Gilbert leaves to mourn his wife Elsie (née Cox) of 65 years; their children, Joanne (Les) Deezar, Marc (Judy) d’Eschambault, Lisa (Sylvain) Courchesne and Paul d’Eschambault; 14 grandchildren, Alexandre, Josée, Théodore, Chantal, Renée, Genelle, Noèle, Chanelle, Jasmine, Camille, Léo, Joël, Nathan and Joshua; and 7 great grandchildren, Isabelle, Sandra, Eric, Khloé, James, Thomas and Andrinna.

He was predeceased by his parents, Henri d’Eschambault and Jeanne (née Beliveau); his brother Arthur d’Eschambault; sister-in-law Therese d’Eschambault (née Chabot); and sister-in-law Diana Cox (née Davis). He will be fondly remembered by the Les Cox and Art d’Eschambault families.

Gilbert was born and raised in St Boniface Manitoba. His schooling was at Maison Chapelle, College secondaire de St Boniface and Provencher School. Mentored by his father Henri, he began to work alongside his brother Arthur and together they built a successful travel and insurance family business on Provencher Boulevard for over 90 years.

Gilbert and Elsie first met when her family received a serendipitous invitation to his parents 25th wedding invitation. (Their fathers were insurance colleagues and became good friends). It was a joyful event, and this first encounter was filled with lots of friendly banter. It took a little while longer of occasionally crossing paths with a wave or amicable chatter but then came THE " phone call" asking for a date and that was the start of joining their life together for almost 70 happy years! The Hit Song of the day was "Que Sera Sera" and it became one of their favourites at the jukebox!

He was a devoted husband and a great team player in their marriage. When asked what the secret to their marriage was, he said “We decided years ago that Elsie would make all the little decisions, and I would make the big ones. So far, I have not had to make one big decision.” His example and loving presence as a father and husband provided a good role model to the family.

Their homestead was slowly carved out on Highway 59 over the years. The home became a gathering place for many, from family Sunday dinners, horse back riding, bonfires, sing-a-longs, weekend quinzhee and skidoo parties in the winter and pool parties and BBQs in the summer. The home was always buzzing with activity and lots of company. They had a welcoming and open-door policy home and there was always room for one more at the dinner table.

The family loved the Kotelko homestead, and Gilbert (Pep) was a person of great influence with his children and grandchildren. He taught them the value of hard work and taking pride in their jobs around the homestead. He loved movie nights, a good musical jam with his wooden spoons, making bacon and Eggo breakfasts, hot dog lunches, making his infamous spaghetti sauce and carving out a nature trail on the property for all to enjoy.

Gilbert was a fun loving, kind and service-oriented family man. He was a good listener, storyteller and had a great sense of humour. He had the gift of easily connecting with people and making them feel valued.

Gilbert was proud to be part of the French community in St Boniface. He cherished the generational friendships, the business network, the community ties and friendships with La Brigade and the OVO (Order of Official Voyageurs). He was blessed with an extensive group of lifelong friends which eventually included their wives and families. These friends continue to provide tremendous lifelong support, love and fun to each other on a regular basis.

He travelled extensively with Elsie over the years to Europe, Morocco, Canada, United States, Mexico and Dominican Republic. Road trips across Canada while the family was growing up provided us with fun, family history and great memories including a memorable trip to Deschambault Lake in Saskatchewan and the Deschambault village in Quebec. His greatest passion was the outdoors, and he enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing including the infamous duck camp at Delta Marsh which he enjoyed tremendously with family and friends.

Never idle his community service work included Official Voyageur for the Festival du Voyageur (1973 and 1979), the Order of Official Voyageurs (OVO), aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant-Governor Bowles (1965-1970), Manitoba Insurance Agents Association Council, Children’s Aid Society of Eastern Manitoba, Director of Fonds Scolaire St Vincent Incorporated, Shaw and Begg Limited Insurance Agents advisory committee for Canada, President of the Franco-Manitoban Business and Professional Men’s Club, St Boniface Hospital Advisory Board, City of Winnipeg Board of Revision, Board of Insurance Agent (IBAM), Insurance Brokers Advisory, Board of Fireman’s Fund Insurance, Board of Club La Verendrye, Board of Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, Employment Insurance Board of Referees, Saints Martyrs Canadiens Parish Committee volunteer for Laotian refugees, Ste Famille Holy Family Church Committee Volunteer for Amis de Luis, Habitat for Humanity and Scarborough Mission to Dominican Republic (2006 and 2007).

Gilbert experienced a vascular stroke in 2016. It was the beginning of his dementia journey. Elsie was his primary advocate and caregiver and made sure that his care was always with dignity and love. This journey was filled with many compassionate caregivers. We thank Dr Coates and his team, The Alzheimer Society, WRHA and the self and family managed plan caregivers, many family members who became part of the extensive team who made sure he had a visitor every day and the wonderful Simkin Personal Care home staff.

In memory of Gilbert, please consider a donation to Siloam Mission or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Gilbert’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Paroisse-Saints-Martyrs-Canadiens Parish, 289 ave Dussault Ave (Eulogy at 10:45).

On line service may be viewed on YouTube saint martyrs canadiens live stream.

May his memory be a blessing. 

Que sa mémoire soit une bénédiction.

Gilbert’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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