After a long and courageous battle with cancer, the family of Gilles is saddened to announce his passing at the age of 71.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife: Valerie; children: Adam (Sarah) and Marc (Sheri); grandchildren: Shaylin, Jada, Harper, and Hudson; brothers: Norman (Debbie) and Roger (Helene); as well as numerous relatives and friends.
 

He was predeceased by his parents: Denis & Armande Saurette.

 

Gilles will be most remembered by his warm and welcoming personality and his loyalty, hard work, and dedication that was given to everything and everyone he loved.

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Gilles worked at Tache Personal Care Home after high school while earning his Master’s in Business Administration.  At the young age of 22, Gilles spent just under 3 years in the armed forces before starting his 32-year long career as a Sales Representative with Xerox Canada.  Applying the forementioned qualities earned him several nationally recognized awards and accolades for his successes in his role.  Even after his retirement in 2007, Gilles continued to meet with and sustain friendships with his beloved customers and fellow colleagues.  Despite the hours and hard work required to achieve these professional recognitions, he still managed to find time to coach a women’s softball team, his sons’ baseball and basketball teams, chauffeur his sons to sports and activities, and build the family cabin with his brother Norm on the weekends.  Gilles made a point to make time for everyone that he loved.  Upon retirement, Gilles enjoyed 12 well-deserved years snow-birding in Texas with his wife Valerie, where they made some great friends and memories.

 

“Not how did he die, but how did he live?

Not what did he gain, but what did he give?

These are the units to measure the worth of a man as a man, regardless of birth.” 

~Summer Sandercox

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A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, July 26 at Niakwa Country Club, 620 Niakwa Road.  In lieu of flowers, donations to CancerCare Manitoba are greatly appreciated.

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In the meantime, Gilles' family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by watching the photo-biography above. Please, also consider sharing your own photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.