Vernon Gowrie

The Gowrie family is saddened to announce that on Saturday, January 8, 2022, our father and stepfather, Vernon passed away at Oakview Place.

Vernon was born May 11, 1938 in New Grant, St. Julien in Trinidad and Tobago and was raised by a maternal aunt due to his mother’s passing at his birth. He attended the local school where he was shown to be a quick study and developed his life-long love of learning.

It was while working as in the island’s cane fields during the early 1960s that he met a co-worker, Sanicharee (Sandy) who became the love of his life. They married in 1965 and Vernon readily shared responsibilities for her children from a previous relationship, working hard in the cane fields during the day and as a tailor in the evenings. Many nights would also find him huddled with the children helping them with their homework and sharing his passion for learning. Vernon and Sandy decided to move their growing family to Canada in search of better employment and educational opportunities in 1969/70.

Settling in Winnipeg, Vernon soon found employment as a mechanic with Motorcoach Industries, later moving to CPR as a machinist where he remained until his retirement due to health issues in the early 1980s.

With his loving wife by his side, Vernon enjoyed many activities including fishing, travelling, dancing, socializing with friends, watching cricket, listening to music, attending the Durga Mandir Temple and spending time with his children and many grandchildren.

Due to age and health issues Vernon and Sandy became residents at Beacon Hill Lodge for several years until her passing in 2017. In 2020, Vernon moved in with his son Michael (Rhonda) Gowrie until deteriorating health caused him to move into Oakview Place a few months before his passing.

Vernon leaves behind children; Kevin Navarro (Patsy) Gowrie, Michael (Rhonda) Gowrie, Yvonne (Harlan) Gowrie-Mushumanski, Rawle (Grace) Gowrie, Frank Gowrie, Stephen (Donna) Gowrie, Winston (Seema) Gowrie, Joyce (Mark) Howard, 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A viewing will be held on Friday, January 21, 2022 from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Thomson “In the Park" Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd, followed by a private cremation.

A Celebration of Life for Vernon will be scheduled as conditions permit later in the spring.