Gib McEachern October 27, 2022
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Gilbert (Gib) Donald McEachern. After a lengthy illness Gib passed away peacefully in a Vancouver Hospital.
Gib was born to Donald and Greta McEachern in Flin Flon, Manitoba on May 29, 1940. Like many Flin Flon kids of his time Gib grew up with a love of the lakes and the bush that defined his recreational passions and his career choices all his life.
Gib is survived by his life partner Sandra Watts and Roger Watts and Dr. Robyn Watts; his daughters Pam Archer and Kyley McEachern; and Grandchildren James Omran, Brian Omran, Maxwell Donald McWhinney, Christopher McEachern, and Lauren Ivale McEachern; and by his brother Gordon (Linda) and nieces and nephews.
Born and raised in Flin Flon, Gib will be best remembered as a champion paddler. He, along with racing partner and lifelong friend Norm Crerar, won or came second in every canoe race they entered in the 1960s both as amateurs and then as professionals. The races were in both Canada and the USA. Gib and Norm anchored the Manitoba canoe in the 1967 Centennial Voyageur Canoe Pageant. Gib was the bow paddler for the winning Manitoba Team. Gib was a true athlete and man of the North and over the years tried his hand in sled dog mushing, snowshoe racing, flour packing contests, long distance cycling, and international cross country ski competitions, and of course, canoe racing. After a career as a Bush Pilot and Air Tanker Pilot in Manitoba and Saskatchewan Gib retired to Vernon, BC and eventually Vancouver. Gib had a wonderful sense of humour and was a great storyteller. He really enjoyed entertaining family and friends with tales of his many adventures, such tales getting better with the telling!
Gib will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. A celebration of Gib’s life will be held at a later date. If you would like to honour Gib’s life and his passing, please make donations in Gib’s memory to your local Kidney Foundation.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gilbert Donald McEachern October 27th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique
So sorry to hear of Gib’s passing! He made his mark in the world of canoe racing. I have fond memories of Gib and Norm winning canoe races. RIP Gib.
To Gigs family: So sorry to hear of Gibs passing. I first knew Gib through the Flin Flon Canoe Club back about 1969. Gib was a “rock star” paddler and athlete. He was kind of a silent member of him and his paddling partner and always looked up to for his accomplishments in paddling. I remember one year Gib rode a 5 speed bike from Winnipeg to Flin Flon to condition for paddling. I raced canoe against him several times in the Flin Flon Gold Rush and the 1967 Centennial Canoe Pagent.I also spent time with him on at least two canoe trips on the Churchill River. I met Gib a couple of times in Vernon and spoke again several times in Vancouver.I always liked Gib and respected him for his treatment of people. I will always remember his joyful laugh and will miss him. Ray Fieber
I remember Gib when he lived in Stoney Rapids Saskatchewan. What a wonderful pilot he was! He could land a float plane so gentle that you could hardly tell you were on the water.He had a cub cadet aircraft on floats tethered across the rapids at Stoney and I watched him paddle a canoe across the rapids in no time at all!What a strong man! My sympathies go to all his family!
Such a character, incredible athelete. I only met him at the Gold Rush Canoe Derby in 1966 and around the Winnipeg Canoe club in that era. I most enjoyed his bus for winter skiing that was tricked out by his aircraft mechanics, including a mini chicken coop on the back, a gorgeous set of Brahma horns on front. i would love to see a few picture of it.
RIP GIB.