Obituary of Robert Paul Gallant

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Bob, our brother, uncle, cousin and friend after a short illness, at the Victoria Hospital in Winnipeg at the age of 72 years. Bob is survived by his brother Rick (Gloria Scora) and sister Denise (Maurice Vielfaure), his nieces and nephews Meghan (Travis), Danny, Brian (Brittany), Alanna (Jamie), Jocelyn (Cristina), Natalie (Jarad), and Carmen (Tal), and many great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Alban and Madeleine (Jutras), and his sister Yvette. Bob grew up in Letellier and his love for that community has never wavered. He was involved in establishing the Chamber of Commerce, volunteer fire department, tennis courts, Letellier centennial celebration including Family Ball, and the Manitoba Housing Units. He was a bingo caller there for years and was also involved in the Roman Catholic Church, Letellier Athletic Association and Knights of Columbus. He worked for the Bank of Montreal, Canada Customs, and initiated various business ventures in Letellier. He joined his father in the family business-Gallant’s Family Foods-and was later joined by his brother and sister-in-law. During this time Bob also helped to expand the business to include Del’s Specialty Meats. Bob’s main passions in life were sports and music. He was a proud member of the 1978 Manitoba Winter Games broomball team champions and even scored the winning goal in overtime. He loved to play hockey, golf, baseball, and other sports, and in his later years met many new friends playing picklball. He was an active philanthropist who cycled for Habitat for Humanity from Winnipeg to Atlanta, Kelowna to Calgary, and volunteered in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. His musical talents varied from playing and singing in bands like Roadside Rums, Manmaid, 12th Tide, and 7th Avenue, and singing at church, weddings, funerals, etc. Bob also played taped music for Gallant Sounds with his brother Rick, and pursued a new venture in song writing throughout the pandemic. He would be the first to let you know that you could find his songs-“Once and For a Lifetime” and “Elita” on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube, and to look out for his upcoming song “Dreams”. The smallest phrase could make him break out in song and dance. What mattered most to Bob in life was his family and many friends from Letellier, his dance groups, traveling, pickleball, and the International Song Writing Academy. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 11:00am in the Letellier Community Hall. His journey in this last illness showed a great example of courage, peaceful acceptance, love and witty humour til the end. The family wishes to thank Dr. Miller for her care and compassion over the past many years. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Letellier Athletic Association, Manitoba CancerCare, the Manitoba Kidney Foundation, or a charity of your choosing. “In my life, I’ve loved them all” To watch a live stream of the funeral on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 11:00am go to the link: https://www.twitch.tv/moosecannon A recorded video will be made after the funeral.