Obituary of Bernie Gibney

August 21, 1933 - Canora, Saskatchewan

April 16, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Robert ‘Bernie’ Gibney beloved husband of Leona Gibney (née Kuntz) of Calgary, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2023, at the age of 89 years.

Bernie was born in Canora SK, the second youngest of thirteen children of Charles and Honora Gibney, among four sisters and eight brothers, six of whom served Canada in the Second World War. Bernie received his schooling in Canora El-Hi, and at Notre Dame College, Wilcox under the tutelage of Msgr. Athol Murray.

He joined the Federal Public Service in 1952 at the Canora Post Office, transferring in 1954 to the Unemployment Insurance Commission in Regina. During those younger years, he also played fastball for Regina Little Flower, winning the Provincial Men's “A” championship in 1960.

At the same time, he was very fortunate to charm Leona Kuntz, the organist at St. Mary's in Regina; they married in 1960.  Bernie’s career and their family grew.  Each promotion brought a new city, and often a new child.  In the first 12 years of marriage, they relocated to Edmonton, Moose Jaw, Fort William, Calgary, Winnipeg, Yorkton, Lethbridge, Winnipeg, and a return to Calgary in 1973, where they chose to remain.  He retired in 1991 as Manager, Calgary North Canada Employment Centre.

Leona and Bernie raised six children, who blessed them with fourteen grandchildren.  Bernie loved his wife and children, and absolutely delighted in his grandchildren. 

In support of their kids’ sports, Bernie was also involved in the Huntington Hills Community, ultimately as President of the Association from 1986 to 1988. In retirement, he supported various ministries within the Parish of Corpus Christi, and served on the Liturgy Committee for over twenty years.

He is survived by Leona, his loving wife of 62 years, four sons and two daughters, Rob, Brian, Noreen (Stéphane) Simard, Michael (Holly), Charles (Lynsey), and Leanne (Drew) Stanley; fourteen grandchildren: Calla; Émilie, Margot, Liam and Luc; Hannah, Seamus and Elias; Leo, Magnus and Jasper; Sara, Helen and Annette; one sister, Noreen, of Brandon MB, brother-in law Lawrence Dubois of Brandon MB, sisters-in-law Winn Ledieu of Red Deer AB, and  Gwen Gibney of Regina SK.

He is predeceased by brothers Clement, Thomas, Wilfred, Joseph, Rev. Fr. Charles, Hubert, Francis, and Terry; sisters Margaret, Mary Graham, Rita Duke; brothers-in-law Michael and Wendel Kuntz, Alec Duke, Joseph Kokesch, and Ward Graham; sisters-in-law Josephine, Marion, Adeline, Alice Kuntz, Barbara Kokesch, and Margaret Kuntz; three nieces Margaret Gibney, Theresa Ethier, Colette Kokesch; nephew Bob Gibney, and grand-nieces Michelle Ethier and Jackie Peterson.

Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass will be held at Corpus Christi Catholic Church (404 Northmount Pl NW, Calgary, AB), on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with a reception to follow. Graveside Service to follow the reception at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Bernie Gibney, 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.