Obituary of Gem Mikeal Andrew deBAAT

deBAAT, Gem Mikeal Andrew
June 6, 1983 - Vancouver, British Columbia
April 28, 2021 - Calgary, Alberta

Gem deBaat of Calgary, AB, passed away on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, at the age of 37 years.

Gem was born at the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, on June 6, 1983. He was greeted into his new life by his mother, Dawn deBaat, his father, Andrew deBaat, his sister, Darla Rasmussen, brother AJ Loiselle, and sister Belle Bourasa deBaat. He is survived by many family members, both paternal and maternal, including his paternal grandmother Meitie deBaat, his paternal aunt Brigitte deBaat, his maternal aunts, Cynthia Jimmy, Susan Rasmussen, and Lisa Jo Rasmussen; his maternal uncle Dean Rasmussen, his nephews, Sedar and Phox Blackkettle Sam; and many cousins near and far who loved Gem. He was predeceased by his paternal grandfather John deBaat, his maternal grandmother Charlotte Rasmussen, and maternal great-grandmother Blanche Butler.

Our family would like to acknowledge great gratitude to his maternal aunt Susan Rasmussen, also known as ‘Aunty Mikki,’ who stayed in touch with Gem over the years and who kept the family informed of how he was doing. Gem often reached out to Mikki for support, and the family is glad he kept his contact with her.

Gem had friends of all kinds. He accepted nomads like himself who lived a life on the streets. He spent his days making his way through the streets of the city doing what he was comfortable doing and on his terms. It is with gratitude that Gem had local resources like Drop-in and the Rehab Society to assist him with the simple things he needed to take care of himself.

Gem’s family knows his life wasn’t ideal, not for him or anyone, yet he was loved and accepted for the lifestyle he chose to live regardless of how much his family wished a different life for him. Staying true to who he was, Gem would often share his ideas, music, and love of electronics with anyone who was willing to listen. His humour was lighthearted, and his laugh always a joy to hear.

His final transition from this physical light to the spiritual light is of great sorrow for all those who knew and love Gem. He was always a sweet baby, gentle-spirited boy, intelligent youth, and resilient man. May his body be healthy, his heart strong, his mind clear, and his spirit free.

Gem was a survivor. Many knew he endured more than he should have. And still, his laugh was contagious, and his smile lit up his eyes in a way that only those who came to love and know him could truly appreciate. Gem was real - probably one of the most authentic people the Creator could have created. He was who he was, regardless of what you thought of him. Your opinion of him did not sway him from who he thought he was. He had a love for music and the deeper meaning of lyrics. He had the ability to hear things that others were unable to understand. His big thinking was his way of understanding the world around him, a world only some could relate to. He loved his electronics, always able to rig up a new device. This was his gift from an early age. His courage, his smile, and his humour gladdened the hearts of those who have had the privilege of loving him. He died as he lived – a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a grandson, a nephew, a friend, and forever a child of the Creator.

It broke our hearts to lose you, Gem, yet you did not go alone. A part of us went with you the day the Creator brought you home.

“You know what, guys, I’ve been robbed of lots before, but for some strange reason, I really want you to let me have this one… wouldn’t it be neat, you know how you stick a seashell up to your ear and hear the ocean eh if they played the amniotic sounds of all the music around together and made a song eh. I just wish they use Master P ‘I Miss My Homies’ at my funeral and actually bury my body. Call it weird, but you know, I like my body, and it’s possible it could carry on, but play that song for me and hold the speakers up, connected together to play in unison, and remember you may not catch it, but if you hold those speakers to your ear you might hear the kinda music we play and listen to in heaven and realize we’re all dedicated to the same one. It never ends eh” ~ Gem de Baat

My Way – Elvis Presley

And now, the end is near. So I face the final curtain. My friend, I'll say it clear I'll state my case, of which I'm certain. I've lived a life that's full. I travelled each and every highway, and more, much more than this, I did it my way. Regrets, I've had a few but then again, too few to mention. I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway. Oh, and more, much more than this, I did it my way. Yes, there were times; I'm sure you knew when I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all when there was doubt, I ate it up, and I spit it out. I faced it all, and I stood tall and did it my way. I've loved, I've laughed and cried. I had my fails my share of losing. And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing. To think I did all that, and may I say, not in a shy way. Oh, no, oh no, not me, I did it my way. Yes, there were times; I'm sure you knew when I bit off more than I could chew. But through it all, when there was doubt, I ate it up, and I spit it out. I faced it all, and I stood tall and did it my way. The record shows I took the blows and did it my way.

Take Your Wings Gem, You Gentle Soul.

You are Forever In Our Hearts.

In living memory of Gem deBaat, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.