OCTOBER 2, 1931 – JANUARY 7, 2022
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Father, Mentor, and Friend Gilbert John Frederik Stefansson.
Gilbert, or Gib was predeceased by his wife Kathie and his daughter Wendy Ann Stefansson. He is survived by his son Robert and wife Debbie, his son Andy and wife Rhona, and his grandchildren Nick, Kris, Eric, and Ariel.
Gib was born in 1931 in Solsgirth, Manitoba. His parents were Haldor and Arnthruda Stefansson, and he was the youngest of 4 children, Patricia, Thora, Lincoln, and Gibby as some of his nieces liked to call him. He didn’t mind a bit. Gib grew up in the '30s in the prairies and he and his siblings were known to share all sorts of stories of shenanigans that they got up to usually during a late night family bridge game. The family finally settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Gib spoke affectionately about his time as a Captain over seas in the army stationed in Germany. After graduating from University of Manitoba, Gib became a businessman and travelled extensively in Canada. For a time, he was stationed in Eastern Canada as a salesman with General Foods. It was here that he met his first wife and mother of his three children, Sandra Mary (Currie) Stefansson. Gib transferred to Ontario with General Foods, eventually settling in Kitchener and became the Sales Manager and then President of Hostess Potato Chips, a GF company. After leaving General Foods, Gib headed up the local branch of the Federal Business Development Bank until his retirement. Gib was a terrific father and he and Sandy raised three wonderful children in the Kitchener/Cambridge area. Later in life, Gib met and married his second wife Kathie (Anderson) Stefansson. Gib and Kathie lived in Cambridge where they enjoyed many years together as well as spending time at their trailer on Puslinch lake, and exploring North America in their beloved Winnebago “Windy”. Maybe Gib got his passion for exploring from his Viking heritage. It was exploring rather than travelling because often there was no destination in mind and only somewhat of a route. Gilbert Stefansson touched many lives in his 90 years and when most people think of him or talk about him, it brings a smile. He will be dearly missed by all of us.
"And all about him was the wind now, a pervasive sighing trough great emptiness, as though the prairie itself was breathing in long gusting breaths, unhampered by the buildings of town, warm and living against his face and in his hair."
