JOACHIM GASTON TUTLIES

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JOACHIM GASTON (GUS) TUTLIES May 6, 1949 - March 13, 2015 Sorry to say, Joachim has left this world for a better one and now rests happily in the arms of the angels. He was a good man the best although he never just knew it. His examples of honesty, integrity, kindness and love, will continue for many years. He leaves memories that would/will take a book to record. Still within this worldly sphere he leaves his forever loving partner, his soul mate of the past twenty-two years, Laura (Foster/Kitchen/Tutlies) - who may never be the same again. He has left bereft his excellent prodigy (several of whom are apples from the tree you'll know them when you see them), daughter Rita (Clark) Bodoano; grandchildren Alexandria, Patrick and Braeden plus foster grandchildren; also his son Jason (Leah) Tutlies and their children Easton, Quinn and Carter along with Joachim's first love, Irma Vincent. He leaves special kids (now adults) from his marriage to Laura and his grandchildren from their experience. They are James Kitchen, Fynn Kitchen and Kelly Tucker, as well as Ruth Kitchen/Barbeli/Pardoski (Tom), and their children Malory and Gabriel. As well 'Achim is mourned by Oncle Dago in Germany who is devastated by this loss. Joachim leaves the community of Grand Marais where he has lived for 12 years and where he will be missed. He has abandoned many who called him uncle and even more who called him Opa (whether he was blood or not). He has gone to a greener (really nice) place while too many friends now have a huge gap in their lifestyle. He joins his much loved mom (& champion) Yvonne as well as his kin - Karl and Heinz Tutlies. Joachim came to Canada from Berlin in 1957 and was so glad his dad chose Canada as their new homeland. He lived a wild youth in Selkirk and St. Vital. He was on the same train across Canada as Janis Joplin and he was at Woodstock. He worked for CP rail, Bay Bronze, City of Winnipeg Transport, City of Vancouver Transport. In his thirties, he sold real estate for Royal Lepage with his buddy Neil Schouten. He joined the Federal Government in the late 1990s and there he found his calling. He worked diligently for the public until his heart attack in 2003. Always a man of social conscience, he was often stopped in the street or at a venue by someone who said, "Hey! You're the guy who helped me out with my E.I." Joachim (Gus) totally charmed, or certainly made interesting the days of his co-workers from 1989 to 2003 when he worked for the Federal Government (HRSDC) in Winnipeg, Dauphin then Winnipeg again with stints in Thompson and Selkirk. Some colleagues he teased relentlessly but apparently they loved it. His friend Bruce St. Louis has lost a brother in-kind. In 2003 his second to last brutal heart attack confined him to the retirement cottage that he and Laura had begun building two years previous. Silly government clerks - such as they were - they built their dream home together on the Lake with much thanks to the skillful and gentle guidance of his new neighbor (and since BFF) Bob Beaudry. After his life changing heart attack twelve years ago Joachim and Laura relished every single day "There IS just today" - often living on the edge and sharing so many "adventures"- especially travel - that his memory will remain legendary. Rita and family joined Dad and Laura near the Lake in 2003 and life was good. Every day was a bonus of love and amazing companionship. This is how Joachim/Dad/Opa lived. Heaven is lucky to have him. A celebration of Joachim's life will be held on Friday, March 20, 2015, in the Gilbart Funeral Chapel, Selkirk, MB, at 1:00 p.m. with Susan Spindler officiating. Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements. www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 17, 2015