GIL GOODMAN

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE GIL GOODMAN It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our dear dad. Surrounded by his children and grandchildren, he passed peacefully on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at the Victoria Hospital. Gil was predeceased by his beautiful bride Marj on April 20, 2013, and by son Ted on June 2, 2013. He will forever be very lovingly remembered by his children, Jim (Marie McKie) Blondal, Gillian Goodman, and Erika (Michael Forint) Goodman, his grandchildren, Michael (Kristin Garner) Blondal, Thor Blondal, Kirsten Blondal, Olivia Blondal, Hannah Goodman, Magnus Forint, Parker Goodman-Poschadel and Sigrun Forint, and his great-grandchild Ayla Blondal, as well as the countless friends and other family members who loved and respected the wonderful man that he was. Gil was born in Winnipeg on November 21, 1934, son to Gudmundur and Bergthora (nee Peterson), a baby brother for Barb and Roger to entertain at their 1139 Downing St. home. When Gil was a teenager, the family moved to the #15 Emily Apartments, and later to 887 Grosvenor Ave. Growing up in the West End, he attended Principal Sparling and Daniel Mac. The family may have had modest means, but that never stopped them from living life to the fullest. As a boy, Gil enjoyed summers with his cousins at Amma and Afi's in Gimli, and evenings spent playing ball hockey in the street with his friends. Saturday mornings were spent with friends, watching the latest serial at the local theatre, or swimming at Sargent Park. His big brother Roger was his hero, and Roger's passion for hockey introduced Gil to this great sport and many lifelong friends; his sister Barb's accomplished piano skills inspired his great love of classical music. Gil completed his B.A. at United College in 1956, and his LL.B. at University of Manitoba in 1960, attending his 50th Class Reunion in 2010. He articled at the law firm of White, Walker & Irish (Inkster, Walker, Irish & Hughes) where he met the love of his life. Marj and Gil were married on March 1, 1963 and celebrated 50 years of love and devotion earlier this year in the company of all their children and grandchildren. Gil began his distinguished legal career in 1961, as a Crown Attorney in Manitoba's Department of the Attorney General. His skills as a litigator, as well as his superior people skills were soon noticed, and in 1968 Gil was appointed Senior Civil Litigation Counsel and later Chief Prosecutor for the City of Winnipeg. He was appointed Director of Prosecutions for the Province of Manitoba in 1969, Queen's Counsel in 1971, and Assistant Deputy Attorney General in 1974. He represented the Crown in the Supreme Court on nine occasions between 1967 and 1972. Gil had many achievements as Assistant Deputy Attorney General, including his role in the enactment of Manitoba's vanguard Family Law Legislation in 1977. In 1984 he was appointed a Justice of the Family Division of the Court of Queen's Bench. At his swearing in ceremony, he spoke of how he wanted to make the world a more equitable one for his daughters, and he championed the careers of many female colleagues over the years. Gil was reluctantly required to retire on his 75th birthday in 2009. To him, being a judge was the best job in the world. Gil was loved by all for his quick wit, endless generosity, and joie de vivre. He developed and maintained many close friendships throughout his life, from his boyhood in the West End to his time on the bench. Gil loved a good time and a good laugh, and arranged for regular lunches, golf games and get-togethers with his many dear friends. He had myriad interests, from politics to sports to arts and culture, and was incredibly knowledgeable about each, but his greatest passion was travel. From his very first train trip in 1949 with his parents to Chicago, New York and Minneapolis, he was taken with the excitement of seeing new places and experiencing new things. Beginning with trips with friends, and later with family, Gil travelled extensively all over Canada and the U.S. In later years, he and Marj had many wonderful trips to the great cultural centres of Europe. More recently, Gil enjoyed trips with his beloved grandkids, from his ancestral home in Iceland to the longtime family campsite at Toniata beach. He was the very heart of our family, organizing family dinners and celebrations, visits with family in Vancouver, Toronto and beyond, Christmas cards and correspondence. He was the connection that bound us all together, no matter how long the absence, or how far the distance between us. Without him, his spirit will be our touchstone, and we will do our best to honour him and the love we all felt for him by keeping those connections as strong and vibrant as when he was with us. There are not words adequate to describe how very much we all loved him, and it would be impossible to describe the deep love and support we all received from him. He was simply the best dad and grandpa there ever could be. For those who knew him, whether as an uncle, cousin, in-law, or simply Mr. Goodman, he will be dearly missed. A memorial service to honour Gil, followed by a reception, will be held on Friday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue, across from Brookside Cemetery. Cremation has taken place. To honour Gil's very generous support of many non-profit organizations, the family would gratefully request that a contribution be made in Gil's name to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 02, 2013