Gabriel Durand

GABRIEL MARCEL ANTOINE DURAND

MARCH 12, 1935 – FEBRUARY 24, 2024

Gabriel Durand passed peacefully at the Notre Dame Health Centre on February 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family at 88 years of age.

Gabriel is survived by five children, Claude (Wendy), Angéla, Michel (Louise), Laurent (Patti) and Marc (Joanne); 11 grandchildren, Matt, Regan, Melissa (James), Marina (Russell), Eliette, Marie, Daniel, Claire, Jocelyne, Brett (Melissa) and Emma; 2 great-grandchildren, Sophie and Sara; older sister Lucienne Philippe; in-laws Val Durand, Suzanne Durand and Rudy Robitaille; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years Georgette (née Deurbrouck); parents, Auguste and Irène (née Fouasse); siblings, Albert, Maurice and Raymond Durand and Clémence Mao; parents-in-law, Ernest & Augustine (née Julien) Deurbrouck; in-laws, Jean Mao, Emile Philippe, Thérèse Durand and Anita Bibault.

Gabriel was born in Notre Dame de Lourdes on March 12, 1935. He was an innovative and entrepreneurial person with a strong work ethic all of his life. When not at school, there was plenty of work to do on the family farm and Gabriel, along with his 5 older siblings, was always helping out.

He acquired ownership of his parents’ farm, the NW 26-6-8 W1, in 1955. Thus began his farming career. While working the land, he also worked for various contractors, largely running heavy equipment which he was very adept at. But the call of farming was strong so he left contract work and enrolled in the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba earning his Agriculture Diploma in 1959. He was now ready to farm full time.

It was during his first years of farming that Gabriel was smitten by a lovely lady from Rathwell, Georgette Deurbrouck. Married in 1961, they became a formidable couple and farming team. They were very innovative farmers and never shied away from adopting new practices and technologies. Gabriel became a seed grower in 1957 and was still a listed pedigreed seed grower in the summer of 2023. In 1965 they embarked in one of their most ambitious projects. They purchased a grain elevator from Federal Grain in Stephenfield and had it moved to the farmyard where they converted it into a seed cleaning plant. This facility is still in operation today. They were also the first farmers in the area to grow rapeseed, the precursor to canola. Gabriel was recognized by several organizations for his contributions to agriculture including the University of Manitoba and the Canadian Seed Growers’ Association.

Not all of Gabriel’s time was spent working. He and Georgette loved to dance. Although the summer months were busy on the farm, he would make time to spend family Sundays at the lake with the boat. He patiently spent hours pulling water skiers of all ages and abilities around the lake all afternoon long and sometimes even into the evening. Travelling was another passion of his with trips to France, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, a Caribbean Cruise and many other US destinations. Gabriel was most certainly born with a deck of cards in his hands. Playing cards with family and friends was a pastime he enjoyed until his final days.

Gabriel was a tireless volunteer in the community of Notre Dame and surrounding area. He served many organizations, and often in key leadership roles. His strong diplomatic and organizational skills gained him the respect and friendship of so many people in his community.

Above all else, Gabriel loved his family. He was a cherished son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and uncle. The farm was often the gathering place for family reunions or simply a fun place to spend the weekend. There was always a warm welcome at uncle Gaby’s and auntie Georgette’s. Upon his passing, he was appropriately described by one of his nieces as ‘the glue of the family’.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Centre de Santé Notre Dame Health Centre or the Notre Dame Parish.

Prayers will held at Adam’s Funeral Home on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.

Funeral Service will be held at the Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Memorial Service beginning at 1:30, Funeral Mass at 2 p.m. with Father Francis officiating.

The service will be available to view via Live Streaming. If you would like your name to appear in the guestbook please email your name to office@afh.ca

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements.  Phone 204-248-2201.  To view the service details and leave condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gabriel Durand, please visit our floral store.