Greg Gleave of Edmonton, Alberta passed away at the age of 83 years on February 21, 2021.
Greg was born on a farm in Swan River, Manitoba, the first of four sons to Alfred and Molly Gleave. Alfred had emigrated from England to work on a farm where he met and married Molly. Molly’s mother, who spoke only Russian, lived with the family, so Greg’s first language was Russian. Due to a farming accident in early childhood, Greg spent many years at the crippled children’s hospital in Calgary where he states that the nurses taught him English. After several unsuccessful procedures to save his leg, Greg elected to have it amputated when he was fifteen.
Greg never let this hold him back. He tried everything. He rode a bike. He loved to ski. He took swimming lessons and tried to skate. Skating didn’t work well for him and left his artificial leg badly dented.
Even as a child he would take things apart to see how they worked. He liked to fix things. He wanted to be a mechanic, but his parents thought that impractical because of his disability.
He moved to Edmonton when he was eighteen and studied bookkeeping. Although he worked as a clerk for the Provincial Government for 37 years, he was always happier when he was working on cars, fixing bikes, or tinkering with things. He loved tools and accumulated quite a collection.
When he was 21, his friend talked him into double-dating with his girlfriend and her friend, Ruth, who was a student. He and Ruth hit it off right away, and they married when she graduated high school. They were married for 58 years.
He was so proud of his sons Dan and Randy and his daughter Laureen. He loved doing things with his family, whether it was riding bikes, teaching them to drive, going camping, or any family get-togethers.
He had a gentle heart. He would cry when a pet bird died, or a loved dog had to be put down. His last wood-working project was building a feeder for the squirrels that came to our tree.
Greg will be dearly missed by his wife Ruth; his sons Dan (Heide) and Randy (Jackie); his daughter Laureen Brandon; his grandchildren Mackenzie, Michael, Tylar, Nicole, Ashlee, Lucas, and Ericka; his brothers and their families; many nieces and nephews and numerous friends.
Serenity Funeral Service – South Edmonton, (780)450-0101
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de GLEAVE Greg February 21 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Edmonton, Province: Alberta