Rev. Charles Joseph Hector Gervais SFM

On March 1, in his 83rd year, Fr. Charlie went home to God. Born in Elie, Manitoba the son of Frederick Pierre and Marie-Louise Gervais. Charlie is predeceased by siblings Louie, Telesphore (Muriel Casler), Adrien (Evelyn Morriss), Henri, Laurent (Patricia Devine) and survived by Majella (late Alex) Dowhaniuk, Theresa (late George) Gauthier, Marie (late Ray Crocker, late John McColl), Archbishop Emeritus Marcel Gervais D.D., Estelle (late Fred) Gauthier, Celine (John) Howard, Denyse (Larry) Regan, Hubert (Gaetane St-Amaur) and numerous nephews and nieces. Charlie was ordained in 1961 for the Scarboro Foreign Mission Society and assigned to the Philippines in 1962 where he was engaged in pastoral work but also very involved in the establishment of credit unions and cooperatives in Southern Leyte. In 1969, he was appointed Director of the Public Relations Department of Scarboro Missions and remained in Canada until 1973 when he was reassigned to the Philippnes with the people he loved deeply and dearly. After a sabbactical in 1984, he returned to Mindanao in the Philippines and was elected regional coordinator of the Scarboro community. Charlie animated the work of the Scarboro lay missioners and their commitment with Manobo people. In 2001 his commitment with indigenous peoples continued as he learned a new language and began a nine-year commitment in Riobamba Ecudor. Charlie has a ‘don de gente’ ‘gift of people’ and was both energized and evangelized by people wherever he was. The Mass of the Resurrection took place in the chapel on Monday, March 5, followed by interment at the cemetery, Mary Queen of the Clergy. In Charlie’s memory, prey for peace and work for justice for indigenous peoples everywhere.