Gilles Charest “Gil” (76) passed away peacefully on April 28th, 2024, with his loved ones by his side after a battle with COPD and lung cancer.
Born April 29th, 1947, to Joseff Eloi Charest and Rita Charest (Flynn), Gil lived his life in Sudbury and Wahnapitae married to the love of his life Colombe Charest. They had two children, Michel Charest, and Lise Gagné (Simon).
Gil met Colombe at a young age at a dance and it was love at first sight, they married early and started a family in Minnow Lake where they built two homes. After a short time, they purchased some land in Wahnapitae and built their dream home where they lived for 48 years.
Gil was a family man and a hard worker retiring from the City of Greater Sudbury water treatment plant in 2008. He loved antique cars and had several over the years, but his favorites were his 1956 Ford Fairlaines, of which he spent cruising into A&W and the Sudbury Cruise nights. He travelled all over with his antiques and took yearly camping trips with the HASK association, often with a trailer in tow. He made a lot of friends along the way who shared his passion for cars.
At an early age Gil successfully beat alcoholism, last September he was presented with his 50-year sobriety chip. He was very proud of this achievement as were his family and friends. His AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) family was of upmost importance to him, and he was consistently active in the community. In later years he started attending the Markstay AA meetings and kept going as long as he could. He was a strong, dedicated member of AA and he took being a sponsor very seriously, the people he encountered there were very special to him, they were his extended family.
Gil adored music and they had speakers all over the house inside and out, he loved his oldies tunes (Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison to name a few), he was happiest driving his car with the tunes blaring with Colombe by his side. He also loved fishing and camping and spent many days at Trout Lake with Beatrice and Aimé Nadon (In laws) and on Lake Ramsey at his parent’s camp. He had a love for food and candy and his stash was always fully stocked ready for sharing.
Gil loved talking to people about anything and everything, he loved visiting and sharing food and coffee (but it had to be good coffee with lots of milk). His personality trait made him an excellent car salesman in his early days, and he was a swift resourceful negotiator. He loved to help people and often came to assist those in need very discreetly.
Survived by his wife Colombe (née Nadon); and his children, Michel, Lise (Simon), 4-legged friends Peanut and Bambi. Forever cherished by his sister Ghislaine Lanteigne of New Brunswick, Béatrice Nadon (mother-in-law) & Jeanne Lise Pacey (adopted sister). Adored by his grandchildren Chase Ross (Frankie), Chanelle Charest (Daniel), Stephane Huard and great granddaughter Rosalie Robin, nieces, and nephews Dan Cusack (Roxanne), Richard Lanteigne (Lisa), Suzanne Lanteigne (Donald).
Gil is preceded in death by his parents Joseff Eloi & Rita, Eloi Jr Charest (Ti – wa brother) and Lise Charest (sister), Vern Lanteigne (brother-in-law), Aimé Nadon (father-in-law).
His legacy will carry on forever reminding us that we control our lives. We chose to live a purposeful life led by meaningful acts of love and service, like God modeled for us.
There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to the nurses and PSW’s at Maison McCulloch Hospice who provided the most exceptional care and dignity in the final days as well as all the
local medical personnel who cared for him in his journey. As a man of service, Gil and his family would be blessed to accept any donation directed to Maison McCulloch Hospice In lieu of flowers or gifts. As per Gil’s request there will be no funeral ceremony, he will be resting in the Minnow Lake Civic Cemetery where he would love you to visit with a good cup of coffee and some friendship.