March 23, 1928 - September 19, 2022
Gilbert James Dunne was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, Ireland on March 23, 1928, and passed away on September 19, 2022, in Chilliwack, B.C.
Dad was predeceased by his brother Rick (Evelyn), and his sis Muriel (Sisters of Mercy).
He is survived by his wife Lillian of over 72 years, and his son Jim (Alice) of Coquitlam, B.C., daughter Linda Patterson, (Jim) of Parksville, B.C., granddaughter Laura (David) of Victoria, B.C., great-grandson Duncan, and grandson David of Princeton, New Jersey.
Dad came to Canada with his brother Rick at the age of 16 in 1944. They made their way to their Uncle Jim's farm in Freemont, Saskatchewan where they helped on the farm.
Eager for adventure, they took jobs at the Jasper Park Lodge and eventually came to Chilliwack, where Dad met his wife, Lillian Russell, who at the time was taking pilot's training. They got married June 23, 1950, and Dad once said that when he met Mom he knew that everything would be okay.
Dad was a hard worker and was always eager and ready to help anyone, but he also loved his coffee breaks. He won many friends with his quick smile and Irish wit, and remained stubbornly positive even after setbacks.
Diagnosed with cancer at 35 and given five years to live, he nevertheless proceeded to live 59 more good years through sheer determination. He set a great example of hard work and commitment to family and friends - one that we all try to live up to.
He will be lovingly remembered by us all.