 GEOFFREY MATTHEW GILCHRIST It is with overwhelming sadness that the Gilchrist family announces the sudden, tragic death of Geoffrey Matthew Gilchrist on Thursday, March 1, 2007 in Saskatoon, SK. Geoffrey was born on March 19, 1987 to Kelly and Sandra Gilchrist of Bienfait, SK. He was baptized on April 19, 1987 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Estevan, SK. When Geoff was only three months old, the family moved to the farm north of Bromhead, SK where he and his older brother, Chris grew up. He was confirmed at Hamar Lutheran Church in Bromhead. Geoff attended elementary school at Lyndale School in Oungre, SK. He completed his schooling at St. Joseph High School in Saskatoon, SK, graduating in 2005. Geoff was very nervous about his move to the big city from a rural school and a class of seven students, but he soon had many friends and grew to love city life. Geoff loved life and people. He had a wicked sense of humour. We all shared many laughs with Geoff. Geoff was a leader and a natural athlete who played competitive hockey for several years, earning many awards and making many lifelong friends. In recent years he loved snowboarding, camping and skydiving with Ash. Geoff was also musical. He was known to burst into song at any given time and was learning to play guitar. Geoff had a soft spot for animals, especially his black cat, Taz. He liked to work with his hands. Geoff enjoyed woodworking and was employed as a welder for a year after graduation. Geoff also volunteered many hours to Ronald Macdonald House, The Heart and Lung Association, Cancer Society, Salvation Army and other worthwhile causes. Geoff and Ashley were high school sweethearts. They had an instant connection and always brought out the best in each other. They shared a love that will last forever. Their son, Joshua Mathew was born April 30, 2006. Geoff was a responsible and devoted young father who made Joshie and Ash the centre of his life. At the time of his death, Geoff was completing the last rotation of his practicum to become a Primary Care Paramedic through SIAST in Saskatoon. Geoff’s ultimate career goal was to be a firefighter. When asked why, he said, If I help even just one person it would make it worthwhile. Left to remember and celebrate his life are: Ashley Ottenbreit and their ten month old son, Joshua Gilchrist; parents, Kelly and Sandra Gilchrist; brother, Christopher Gilchrist, all of Saskatoon, SK; his grandparents, Lloyd and Arvella Gilchrist of Saskatoon, SK, Vern and Esther Bjorklund of Bromhead, SK; his great-grandfather, Matt Zimmerman and his wife, Lillian of Weyburn, SK; his Godparents, Dale and Cheryl Felgate of Estevan, SK; many loving uncles, aunts and cousins; countless treasured friends. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Olga Bjorklund in 1982. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Geoff can be made to Ronald McDonald House or to a trust fund set up by Sasktel for Geoff’s son, Joshua Gilchrist. Trust fund donations can be made at any Credit Union in Saskatchewan. |