In loving memory of Gilbert Prince. Born March 13, 1942 in North Battleford, SK And passed away Oct. 3, 2016 in North Battleford, SK. Burial was held in Delmas, SK. Gilbert is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Dorothy (nee Degenhardt, Farkas), his step-son Darwin Farkas (Rachel) their daughter, Dienne and step-daughter, Lynn Farkas. His brothers:Maurice, Aime (Joan) Prince, Bernard (Louise) Prince, Brother Edouard Prince OMI; sister:Charlotte Lancaster, Sister Madeleine Prince SASV, sister-in-law, Betty Prince; brother-in-law Romuald Lavoie and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy's mother Anne McConnell, her brothers: Ernie Degenhardt (Michelle), Emil Degenhardt (Linda), Don Degenhardt (Colette) and James Degenhardt (Friend Sherry) and her sister Theresa Duchscher (Jerry) and numerous nieces and nephews. Gilbert was predeceased by his parents: Charles and Eva Prince; his brother Denis, sisters: Sister Marie Jeanne Prince SASV, Françoise Lavoie, Gertrude (Henri) Lavoie; brother-in-law Micheal Lancaster; sister-in-law Frances Prince and Dorothy's father Adam Degenhardt.
Not long after Gilbert's birth when he and mom came home from the hospital, the Watkin's salesman stopped by. Mom was cooking at the stove, so he asked her if he could see the new baby in the crib. Mom agreed. He stood by the baby for a while then came over to mom put his hand on one of her shoulder and told her, "Do you think he's going to make it?" Mom replied, "He's unique and precious just as his siblings." They say that those who struggle as a baby become hardy persons. Gilbert lived up to that through his studies and then took on responsibilities in the oil patch in Sask., Alberta and the Middle East. Gilbert was a caring brother. He really was concerned about me when I started school. He would say, "What are you going to do at school?" I'd say "Learn to read just like you're doing" He'd say "I'm worried about you because you don't speak English." He kept an eye on me and we both enjoyed our first years of school. He continued developing his caring heart and invited mom and I at his apartment in Greece and planned a most scenic and interesting cruise of the Greek Islands. Gilbert understood and lived out Christ's words, "I have come to serve and not to be served." Gilbert loved to work and carried it out the best he could. One night he dressed up, picked the milk pails and was on his way out when dad heard the outside door being opened. He told Gilbert, "It is too early for milking the cows. It is two o'clock in the morning. You're sleep-walking. You have four more hours to sleep." He may have decided at that time to leave the farm and join the oil industry. When I knew Gilbert was home on long weekends I would visit him and bring along a care package. He really appreciated that. Every time I'd visit him I would see his prayer book on the table next to his lazy boy chair. I'm sure he was thankful that he and his crew never had an accident on the oil rigs. He may also have prayed to be blest with a loving wife. His prayers were answered when he met Dorothy at the Single's Club. He found Dorothy to be loving, loveable and energetic woman to live with. In October 2002 Gilbert met Dorothy at a Minus One dance. Gilbert's smooth move by "forgetting" his glasses and needing her help to fill out his membership was how it all began. He didn't let her leave that night before asking her out on a date. Dorothy knew his humour, love of Church, family, and supportive nature would be a strong foundation to a beautiful life together. They started this new life on April 17, 2004 in North Battleford. They had an adventurous road trip that lead them to their final destination, Niagra Falls for their Honeymoon. They bonded by getting lost together and had a blast trying to find their way through the States and Canada. He went from a bachelor to having a wife, two step-children, Darwin and Lynn, a daughter-in-law, Rachel which led to a sweet granddaughter named Dienne. Darwin and Lynn were happy for their mom to have someone for companionship, friendship and love. They were accepted into a friendly, large and loving Prince family. He made her feel very welcome in his home. Dorothy soon had Gilbert's garden overflowing (whether he liked it or not) with a yard full of flowers and a cold storage full of canning. The large and loud Degenhardt family soon surrounded him and he sure didn't seem to mind. As we all know, Gilbert's interest was his cars. He would spend hours outside puttering with his cars. Even with his declining memory, he could still tell you every make, model, year and color of all his cars as this was his passion for many years. Speaking French with his family, after a good meal prepared by Dorothy, looking at pictures of Lynn's travels, dancing the Charleston at a moment's notice, and being called "Grandpa" put a smile on his face that would light up a room. There was a time when Dienne was in the garden and got many mosquito bites. She ran over to Gilbert, sat on his knee and said "Grandpa, kiss my dee-doo bites better." Dorothy had never seen him so happy. Dorothy kept him very busy with canning. For hours, he would grind cucumbers for relish; pumpkins for pies; cut peaches, beets, beans... you name it, usually with Dorothy's mom Ann by his side. Sometimes he'd call for a break because his fingers were so numb from cutting. There was also never any shortage of food with her good home cooking and baking in their home for friends and family to enjoy. Going to Church many Sundays at St. Vital was very important to them. They decided to make rosaries together. They bought beads and crosses from Louisville, Kentucky and the work began. Over the years, they made 9,000 Rosaries. The Rosaries were sent to Edward in Lutsel'K N.W.T., Hawaii, Haiti, Ghana and New York. Mary Knoll Missions were helpful in distributing them to orphanages, prisons, schools and Churches. On hearing of the passing of Gilbert, Grace Lang's aunt, who is part of Mary Knoll Missions contacted the Archbishop of New York and a Mass will be said in Gilbert's honor on Sunday. These Rosaries have touched the hearts of many lives and they both loved making them. They had quite the assembly line at times with family and friends helping out. Gilbert will be missed very much by many. His chair at the end of the table may be empty now, but we are happy he is at rest in a wonderful place. We are sure he is smiling that you all made it here sending him on his last road trip home.
Card of Thanks
Special thanks to BUH 3rd Floor nursing staff, Battlefords Funeral Home, Father Greg Elder and Br. Kendrick Beler, St. Vital CWL, Knights of Columbus # 5626 and #5878 and to the ladies at Delmas Community Hall. We appreciate all the flowers, food, masses and condolence cards we received from family and friends.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials donations can be made to St. Vital Parish, Box 58, Battleford SK S0M 0E0
