The family of Gilbert Edward Howey announces his peaceful passing in his 91st year on June 10, 2024 at Lee Manor in Owen Sound. Born on the family farm near Massie, Ont. on July 28, 1933, Gilbert was the son of the late Frank and Mattie (MacInnis) Howey, brother to Florence Smith and Jean Perdue. Gilbert grew up in a loving family that valued family, faith, education and music. These became the cornerstones of Gilbert's life.
Gilbert was a remarkable person who used the gifts he was given to contribute to this world and the lives and communities around him.
Gilbert loved to learn. The first eight years of his formal education began at the one-room schoolhouse in the Hamlet of Massie. Grades nine to 12 were completed at Chatsworth Continuation School followed by Grade 13 at Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute. The fall of 1952 brought Gilbert to Victoria College, University of Toronto. The journey at U of T continued as Gilbert completed his B.A., and M.A., plus a year of makeup sciences before entering medical school and ultimately specializing in psychiatry.
Gilbert loved music. He began to sing for others as a young child and would go on to participate for many years in the Owen Sound Kiwanis Music Festival. As Gilbert moved on to Toronto, he enjoyed singing in the Hart House Glee Club, the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church choir, the Toronto Mendelssohn choir and the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church choir. Gilbert sang in several other choirs over his lifetime and his vocal solos were requested over the years for various weddings, celebrations and funerals.
Over the years Gilbert practiced psychiatry in Toronto and Owen Sound, eventually retiring from his Toronto practice in 2001 and returning to his birthplace on the family farm. Gilbert enjoyed his retirement in the greater Owen Sound area, soaking up the country, singing, gardening, berry picking, baking, participating in the Golden K's and the Kiwanis Club, being an active church member, and as always, reading countless books. Gilbert loved birthdays and rarely missed sending cards to mark them or other special occasions.
Life took a significant turn in December 2015 when Gilbert was in a car accident. The injuries from this accident resulted in incomplete quadriplegia, marking the start of a defining chapter in his life at age 82. Following an extended period of medical treatment and rehabilitation, Gilbert moved to reside at Lee Manor in Owen Sound but always looked forward to coming home to the farm for family time and just being in the environment of the place.
Gilbert was not defined by his accident, and through his hard work and tenacity, as well as the care of numerous people, he returned to many of the activities he had previously enjoyed. Notably, Gilbert continued to share his gift of singing solos after his accident and his connection with music never wavered.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Lee Manor, whose unbelievable and often unseen and unsung contributions are being sung here, as they make a positive difference in so many lives every day. Special thanks also go out to Gilbert's local team that contributed greatly to his quality of life for over eight years, specifically, Carly, Melissa, Debbie and Deepha.
Gilbert is survived by his children, Heather Rayne (Vlad Orovic), Toronto, Kevin Howey (Adrienne Galway), Toronto, Ian Howey (Susan Tingley), Fredericton, NB, his grandchildren, Shannon Rose, Jonathan, Angelina and Kate; his sisters Florence Smith and Jean Perdue. He will be fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews and other treasured family. Besides his parents, Gilbert was predeceased by his brothers-in-law Jarvis and Bob and niece Diane.
A small family funeral took place on June 17 at Massie United Church with long-time friend the Rev. Dr. J. Peter Holmes. Following the service, an internment was held at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound.
Condolences can be mailed to any family member at P.O. Box 201, Chatsworth, Ont., N0H1G0, or sent through the website.
If desired, donations in lieu of flowers can be made in honour of Gilbert to any of the following organizations: Victoria College, Lyndhurst Hospital (Spinal Cord Research), OSHaRE.