Gilles Ouellet

Gilles Ouellet was born April 1st, 1939 in St. Hubert, Quebec and died December 30th, 2023 at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 84. He passed away with Linda, his wife of over 35 years, at his side.

A private memorial service was held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, after which Gilles was entombed at the Holy Angel Mausoleum, Green Acres Funeral Home and Cemetery in Winnipeg. Thank you to Reverend Father Darrin J.G. Gurr for a beautiful service.

Gilles was predeceased by his parents Zacharie and Bertha Ouellet, and his sister-in-law Diane Ouellet (Levis). Mourning his loss are Linda, his daughters Michelle and Danielle, his grandchildren Christina (Kevin) and Nicholas (Shannon), great-grandson Marques Conway, his sister Francine (Albert Martin), brothers Levis and Christian (Alice), nephews Brian (Eddie), Marc, Yves and Claude Ouellet, nieces Caroline and Mylene Martin and Isabelle Ouellet, and step-children and step-grandchildren Guy Mastaler (Nicole), Madison and Ava, and Lance Mastaler (Lucy), Savanna and Ethan.

Gilles liked virtually everything about life. He was comfortable doing just about anything and easily adapted to whatever the situation, never complaining or wishing things were otherwise. He was a voracious reader and loved to learn. As a young boy of five years, his mother taught him to read. Books were his passion and there wasn’t a book in his library that he didn’t love.

Gilles aimait pratiquement tout de la vie. Il était à l’aise pour faire à peu près n’importe quoi et s’adaptait facilement à n’importe quelle situation, ne se plaignant jamais ou souhaitait que les choses soient autrement. C’était un lecteur vorace et il aimait apprendre. À l’âge de cinq ans, sa mère lui apprend à lire. Les livres étaient sa passion et il n’y avait pas un livre dans sa bibliothèque qu’il n’aimait pas.

Always living in the present moment, worrying about the future was not part of Gilles’ makeup. He was enthusiastic and loved people from all walks of life. He relished helping other people and encouraged self-reliance with a great amount of love offered at every turn. Gilles knew how to laugh and how to create laughter, especially in making his family laugh at his different disguises every time he went home to Edmundston, New Brunswick.

Vivant toujours dans le moment présent, s’inquiéter de l’avenir était pas Gilles. Il était enthousiaste et aimait toutes les personnes qui l'entouraient. Il aimait aider les autres et encourageait l’autonomie avec une grande quantité d’amour offerte à chaque tournant. Gilles savait rire et faire rire, notamment en faisant rire sa famille de ses différents déguisements chaque fois qu’il rentrait chez lui à Edmundston, au Nouveau-Brunswick.

As owners of the Quest Inn in Winnipeg from 1992 to 2003, Gilles and Linda provided a long-term residence for seniors including many amenities such as nursing support, activities and all meals. In addition, Gilles was chief administrator for the St. Boniface School Board for many years as well as the owner and broker of Main Event Realty. He was successful in all his endeavours.

Gilles and Linda loved to travel and toured most of Europe in 2003. In addition, they maintained a home in Florida for half a year for six years after retirement in a community of Gilles’ family members and friends.

The family asks that anyone wishing to donate to a cause, please pass forward an act of kindness to someone in need. A heartfelt thank you to our friends and relatives for your hugs, phone calls, cards and notes.