Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Joseph Gilbert (Gib) Cyr on August 23, 2021, at the age of 88, after a prolonged battle with lung cancer. Gib is survived by his wife, Katie; sons, Gregory (Tahra), Shaun (Melissa) and Brent (Heidi); grandchildren, Quinlan, Luca, Olivia, Emma, Kaelyn, Jaren, Samantha and Brady; and sister, Mary. He is pre-deceased by his sister, Joan and brothers, Ray and Carl.
Gib was born in Maria, Quebec, on January 5, 1933, the oldest child of Irene (nee Haley) and Ovila Cyr. He was the star of his family according to his sister Mary. Growing up in rural Quebec, Gib began working at a young age and held a number of jobs in his youth. In 1953, at the age of 20, he joined the Air Force and in 1960 he was sent to Europe where he spent three years in Belgium. He took the opportunity to travel in Europe and he loved to tell stories of his experiences there. He spent time stationed in Denver, CO before being sent to the northern Manitoba town of Flin Flon. It was there that Gib met the love of his life, Katie Zoretich at Christmas, 1964. By August 1, 1965 they were engaged and they married on October 23, 1965. They welcomed their first son, Gregory on September 12, 1966, with sons, Shaun (September 12, 1968) and Brent (September 13, 1973) completing their family. Gib left the Air Force in 1968 and returned to civilian life. The young family began taking road trips out to BC and fell in love with the Okanagan Valley. They decided to leave Flin Flon and, with stops in Revelstoke and Westbank, settled in Summerland in 1977 where Gib had accepted a job with BC Tel. Gib was an active member of the community, volunteering countless hours for Minor Hockey, the BCJHL, the Lions Club (he won member of the year in 1966) and the Rotary Club. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing and skiing, but his biggest joy was spending time with his boys. He was outgoing and gregarious and would strike up a conversation with anyone he met. He retired in 1994 and he and Katie spent time visiting their boys and traveling in Canada, the US and Europe. Gib will be remembered as a loving husband, proud father and grandfather, engaged community member and as a man who loved and appreciated the life he lived. He will be greatly missed.
Due to Covid there is no service planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Penticton Regional Hospital or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Gilbert “Gib” Cyr, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Joseph Gilbert Gib Cyr January 5 1933 August 23 2021 (age 88)..
Death notice for the town of: Penticton, Province: Colombie britanique