Rodney William Gilbert – August 27, 1920 to January 1, 2020

Family is saddened to announce that Rodney William Gilbert passed peacefully at Sunnybrook Veterans Centre on January 1, 2020 in his 100th year. Forever in the hearts of his children, Eric (Beverley), Keith (Glenda), and predeceased by his daughters Lynda and Sherrie (Glenn). Rodney will be lovingly remembered by nine grandchildren, Alistair, Rebecca, David, Amanda, Laura, Lindsay, Meghan, Jeremy, Erin and by his 13 great-grandchildren. He will also be sadly missed by his friends and neighbours.
Rodney was born in 1920 in Welland, Ontario to his emigrated British parents. As a young man he worked as a tool&die maker and helped construct the first Lancaster Bomber in Canada. He then went off to WWII. Injured in Northern Italy he became a prisoner until the end of the war. Upon return he and his wife June Lucille Phillips started their family. They moved to Toronto in 1953 with their 3 children. Rodney pursued a career as a stationary engineer. They welcomed a fourth child (Sherrie) in 1956. Rod continued in his career until 1981 when he took early retirement.
His greatest passion was being outdoors. He built a lakefront cottage in Haliburton where he, his wife and children spent every summer and visited in winter. His many outdoor hobbies included hunting, water skiing, boating, snowmobiling and continuous building. His love for the outdoors was passed onto his children and grandchildren who still enjoy Haliburton.
Many well deserved thanks to Sunnybrook Veterans Centre for their kind and compassionate care.

A celebration of Rodney’s life will be held at THE SIMPLE ALTNERATIVE (275 Lesmill Rd, Toronto) on Saturday February 29th from 10-11am. Service to be held in the chapel at 11am.
Donations in memory of Rod may be made to a charity of your choice.