Gilbert Schaubroeck

May 17, 1956 - November 1, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

It is with both sorrow and rejoicing that we announce the passing of Gilbert Schaubroeck on November 1, 2024, at age 68. He died at the Cariboo Memorial Hospital with his beloved wife, Cecilia, at his side.

Gilbert Denis Joseph Schaubroeck was born on May 17, 1956, two minutes after his twin brother, Albert, to Dolores and Maurice Schaubroeck. Gilbert grew up in St. Boniface, Manitoba with his three older brothers and two younger sisters.

Gilbert always had a great love for children that started with his nieces and nephews who affectionately called him Uncle Goofball. He also volunteered at Coin d'Amitie (a group home), and with Faith and Light.

At a Faith and Light meeting in Calgary, he met his wife Cecilia for the first time and instantly thought she was the most beautiful woman in the room. They were married on August 25, 1990. During their first four years of marriage, they lived in Winnipeg where Gilbert finished his teaching degree. They were overjoyed to welcome their daughter, Lucille, in 1992.

Gilbert's first full-time teaching position was in a one-room school at Mable Lake, B.C. The following year, in 1995, they moved to Williams Lake where Gilbert began teaching at Sacred Heart Catholic School. For just over 20 years Gilbert was a beloved teacher at Sacred Heart, known for his sense of humour, and caring heart.

He knew how to reach each student in a way that made them feel safe and valued. In 2016, Gilbert left this beloved profession for medical reasons, much to the disappointment of younger students who had eagerly awaited being in Mr. S's class.

When his daughter, Lucille, got married in 2021, Gilbert was delighted to officially welcome Rohan into the family and finally have a son. For the last 15 months, Gilbert's greatest joy was each precious moment he was able to spend with his granddaughter, Margaret.

Gilbert was predeceased by his beloved parents, Maurice and Dolores, Cecilia's parents, John and Lucille, his oldest brother Gerry, and his sisters-in-law, Rachel and Cathy.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Cecilia, his daughter, Lucille, his son-in-law, Rohan, and his granddaughter Margaret, along with his brothers Richard (Alix), Albert (Tammy), and his sisters, Marguerite (Albe) and Bernadette (Doug).

He will also be missed by in-laws Dorothy, Teresa and Jim, Stephen and Cath, Louise and Frank, and two generations of nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Dr. Francina van der Merwe, and the Renal Clinic staff in both Williams Lake and Kamloops for their wonderful care over the years. We would also like to thank the many paramedics with B.C. Ambulance Service, the staff from the Williams Lake Emergency Room, Second Floor, Deni House, and the staff from the cardiac wards in Kamloops and Kelowna who cared for him over the last four months.

Thank you to Fr. Paul and Fr. Brendan who faithfully visited him and brought him communion. We would also like to thank all those who have supported Gilbert and his family. We appreciate all of the love, kindness, and prayers.

All are welcome to join us at Sacred Heart Church for prayers on Thursday, November 7, at 7:00 pm and a funeral mass on Friday, November 8, at 11:00 am, with a reception to follow.