Mr. Gaetan "Gates" Joseph Jalbert

Mr. Gaetan Joseph Jalbert, age 65, of Vancouver, British Columbia passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. Gaetan Joseph was born April 6, 1956 in Timmins, Ontario.

Gates was born and raised in Timmins Ontario, the eldest of 8 children. Growing up in a small town, in a large family wasn’t easy, but these early struggles are formative and inescapable. Gates’ high school years had their challenges but like many misfits he found a home in the theater. Of course it wasn’t acting that drew Gates to theatre, but instead the backstage crafts where he could excel. These early experiences opened a new world, grew his confidence, and ignited his love for lighting and stagecraft.

After high school Gates teamed up with his brother, Mars, to “produce” discos around Timmins. “Gates and Mars Productions” would find venues and bands to put on shows as well as contract themselves out to stage other peoples projects. Not a bad hustle… and it was from these gigs Gates ended up to meeting one of his biggest influences, Peter Gerrie. In 1974 Peter was involved in a small theater project in North Bay and when the production was looking for help, Peter “knew a guy”. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and also significant turning point in Gates’ life.

Later in the year Peter took a gig with Alberta Theatre Projects and invited Gates to join him in Calgary. At the end of the season Peter headed to Blyth Ontario for Summer Stock theatre, again inviting Gates to come along. Hitting it off with the local crew, Gates took over the construction department when Peter left for Edmonton. Gates soon followed and began working with Peter once again on the University of Alberta campus; keeping busy working for him in the UofA drama department and taking calls with IATSE 210.

This is where Gates cut his teeth in the rigging world. It’s the early eighties and a long haired Gates is rigging for some of the biggest bands as their tours roll into Edmonton. Loving “arena” rigging in the summer but wanting more of a challenge then his theatre job provided, Gates took a chance and moved to Vancouver in 1987 to try out the film industry.

Pretty quickly Gates made a life and a career for himself within IATSE. Vancouver became his new home and we all got to know him as he forged his path in lighting, just as 891 started to boom. Many would give Gates the credit for making rigging lighting a distinct position of its own. He was probably the first to work exclusively as a Rigging Gaffer, and certainly was at the forefront of the off-set lighting world that has become so integral to every production. Gates grew and adapted along with the film industry over the course of his 30 plus years in Vancouver. From his early years on “Danger Bay”, to more complicated movies such as “Snow Falling on Cedars”, or “Josie and the Pussycats” (amongst countless others), Gates helped developed many of the rigging lighting standards we all follow today.

Focusing only on the credits or the pioneering aspects of Gates’ career would miss a lot of what made him so special. Gates was a friend and mentor to many and selflessly shared his knowledge. He really enjoyed teaching and took pride in being able to share his experience with those that showed an interest. Many 891 lighting members have their own personal stories on how Gates impacted their lives as they worked with him over the years. Never being threatened by the success of those he trained, Gates helped many 891 technicians excel and further develop the rigging lighting department he helped to start.

Not one to stay still for long, Gates continued his love of lighting as he enjoyed life outside of film on Vancouver Island. Whether it was building artful lamps, or using his home-made stage lighting to set the mood for local musicians, Gates never fully retired from the lighting department. Always with something on the go, he continued to fulfill his creative side by building all manner of projects. Like so many, he found LED irresistible and began to build his own lamps, which would adorn his ocean-side home. He delighted in giving his creations to neighbors so they could dress up their homes as well; making friends through lighting once again.

Above and beyond his love for the work, was his love for the people he met along the way. The connections Gates made with countless colleagues are not fleeting. More than anything on screen, it is these friendships that will remain his lasting legacy.

Thank you Gates. Thank you for being a leader, a mentor, an original; thank you for being a friend.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawn-burnaby.com for the Jalbert family.