Gabriel’s Obituary
It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Gabriel Armand Brissard (Gabe), age 87,at his home on March 16, 2021.
Mourning his loss is his wife Olga of 50 plus years, daughter Reale Muhlbach, son Laure Brissard (Stacy),daughter Lynette Fiorucci, Grandsons Kyle Muhlbach (Andrea), Cole Muhlbach (Amber), and 5 great grandchildren: Max, Hunter, Jude, Crosby, and Willow Muhlbach.
Gabe was raised on a farm in the Iron Creek District Southwest of Viking and in 1962 purchased the land the he was raised on. He started his education at the Iron Creek School until grade 9 and then attended Viking High School where he graduated in 1952. After graduation he started work for Canadian Oil Bulk Station and would remain there for 10 years, leaving to go farm full time. He married Olga Bagozzi in 1957 and in 1958 first child daughter Reale was born, followed by son Laure in 1959, and Lynette in 1969. Gabriel was an outstanding athlete and was instrumental in starting the Shamrock baseball organization in which he played, coached, and managed for over 20 years. As a young family in the summer, they would load up the car with coolers of food, drinks and baseball equipment and watch Gabe play ball. Baseball was Gabe’s favorite sport with hockey being a close second. He played with the Viking Gas Kings, coached various teams and was a referee at many hockey games for years. In later years Gabe would take up curling.
Along with his passion for sports, Gabe was very involved in his community and if there was a board or council to be had you would find Gabe as a member, he served several terms on both the town and county council. He fought for what he believed was best for his town and the people who lived in and around Viking. In his own words he was not a “yes man” and his thoughts could be read every once in awhile with his letters to the editor in the Viking Weekly Review. Gabe was also a member of The Knights of Columbus for decades until his charter closed.
Even at his age Gabe was not one to consider retirement and worked up to the very moment the Lord decided to call him home. Every night Gabe drove his route delivering papers, and still sold his beloved hail insurance to farmers in the area and every year at Christmas those people would receive a wrapped box of chocolates from him. It is his toughness and strengths, love of his family, and his passion for sports and community that his family will remember.
He was predeceased by his parents Lia and Marcel Brissard, Sister Noella Brissard, brothers Louie and Clement Brissard, Niece Claire McGillivray, Sister-in-law Tilly Brissard, and brother-in-law Arnold Guhle.Due to Covid restrictions it is the family’s hope to hold a service for Gabriel in June of 2021.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to STARS or to the Viking Hospital Foundation.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gabriel Armand Brissard March 16 2021..
Death notice for the town of: VIKING, Province: Alberta