Gerald “Cliff” Belrose was born on Dec 28th, 1925, in Craik, Saskatchewan. Cliff homesteaded with his parents Edwin and Ida Belrose and his fourteen siblings, at Limberlost District near Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan.
Cliff was born almost totally deaf but he was still able to learn how to read and write. He learned to read lips so he could communicate properly. At thirteen years old Cliff broke his arm and ended up in hospital fighting gangrene that almost took his life. Cliff left the hospital with a crippled arm but it did not slow him down. Cliff had a very hard time getting a job because of his hearing and crippled arm. He always had to tell the workplace that he would work for free for a week in order to prove his ability. Cliff lived in a time of little tolerance for disabilities yet he overcame it all.
Cliff moved to B.C. with the Whitney family in 1952 and they settled in Quesnel, where he got a job at Weldwood Plywood Plant. In 1953 Cliff married Jeannine Whitney and together they had three children: Lois, Judy, and Eric. Cliff and Jeannine were married for 62 years: they had a good, long life together raising their kids, and being with their grandchildren, and great grandchildren as they were born.
Cliff is lovingly remembered by his wife Jeannine. Daughters: Lois (Leroy) Taylor, Judy (Ed) Maines. Son: Eric Belrose (Sandi Gray). Grandchildren: Steve (Shirley) Taylor, Matthew (Karen) Taylor, Ashley (Lee) Belrose-Scaife, John (Zoe) Manning, and Mike Manning. Great grandchildren: Pheonix, Marcus, Dylan, and Evaine. His sisters: Iola, Daisy, Ruby, and Violet. Sisters in law: Theresa (Louis) Kowalski, Leonore (Paddy) Scheck, Yvonne Norn, and Gail Whitney. And many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family that loved him dearly.
Cliff is predeceased by his parents Edwin and Ida Belrose, and his siblings: Harold, Ed, Bruce, Roy, Melvin, Lyle, Iven, Leila, Lillian, and Hilda.
Dad had many health issues but he never let it get him down. Many people in Quesnel remember how he could connect with kids, his friendly disposition, and how he always had a joke ready.
We had a great life with Dad; we always had a roof over our heads and unlimited food to eat. He was a loving, gentle, and supportive father who was always there for us. We will love him and miss him forever.
Dad’s funeral and burial were held at the Quesnel Cemetery on August 12th, 2016, with many family members and friends attending. A memorial tea was held at Dunrovin Park Lodge.
Thank you to the staff of Dunrovin Park Lodge,
Maeford Place,
Clayton’s Funeral Directors,
Dr. Furstenburg, Doctors & Nurses at GR Baker Memorial Hospital and Pastor Barry Saip