Obituary of William "Bill" Gale

The family of William “Bill” Thomas Gale are saddened to announce his passing, which occurred on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at his residence in Shannex-Tucker Hall, Saint John, New Brunswick. Bill was born on October 14, 1936 in Southeast Placentia, NL, the son of the late Mary Agnes (Shaw) and William Gale. 

Bill was a proud Newfoundlander and never missed an opportunity to return home with his family. He ensured that his children were close to their extended family members and experienced the culture of their parents. As adults, his children still return to Newfoundland for vacations and family functions. He was known for his wry wit and his great sense of humor.  A devout Catholic, his strong faith instilled in him a life-long need to help others and give back to the community.

His work ethic was learned at a young age and it continued until his health finally prevented him taking on new projects. Although he retired from the position of RBC Vice-President of New Brunswick / PEI after 39 years of service, he continued to work. Post-retirement, he turned his focus to community service. His dedication to hard work was second only to the love he felt for his family.

All of Bill’s accomplishments and contributions are too numerous to list. They include being the Founder and former Chair of the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative; Past President of the Saint John Chapter Parkinson’s Society; Co-Founder and Past President of Credit Counselling Services of Atlantic Canada, Member- UNBSJ School of Business Advisory Board, Member of the Board of Governors, United Way of Greater Saint John, Co-Chair Rotary Capital Campaign for the Saint John Regional Hospital Pedway Project, Past Chair IWK Telethon, past member- Board of Directors St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation, Past Secretary/Treasurer- Harbour Station Complex, Past President- Rotary Club Saint John, N.B., Past Member- Board of Directors- Fundy Regional Development Corporation. Bill was also the recipient of: The Order of New Brunswick, YMCA-YWCA Red Triangle Award, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award.

Bill is survived by Marina; his children: David, Robert (Lisa), Glen (Nora), and Lynette Belliveau (Paul); grandchildren: Jeff (Lisa), Jennifer, Robert (Julia Barry), and Alexis; great-grandchildren: Aiden, Brinley, and Callaway; his Foley family (11 nieces and nephews). He will be remembered by his Tobin in-laws, and will be sadly missed by the Shannon family. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother, Matthew; and his sister, Martha Foley (Raymond).

The family would like to thank the loving staff at Tucker Hall, Shannex Millidgeville, and Joan’s Home Care, who together took care of Bill in his final years.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26, 2020 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8. Guests are asked to enter the funeral home using the courtyard entrance, where staff will greet and assist you with COVID-19. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, September 28, 2020 at 10 am. Masks are mandatory for both the visitations and the Mass of Christian Burial. A private family interment will take place at a later date. Donations can be made to the Bill Gale Bursary (Saint John Community Foundation), The Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative or the local chapter of the Parkinson’s Society. Please place online condolences and remembrances at www.BrenansFH.com.

Please read the following Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception protocols if you plan to attend the Mass of Christian Burial:

Masks

Wearing a community or non-surgical face mask is an additional measure to help reduce the
spread of COVID-19 when physical distancing is not possible. It is now intended to protect you,
and those around you. Any time individuals are moving about, physical distancing may not be
possible or may be inadvertently breached. The Government of New Brunswick requires the use
of a community face mask in public spaces when physical distancing is not possible with some
exceptions: those with conditions which makes wearing a mask difficult, or those under the age of
two.

You are asked to wear a mask upon entering the Church and until you and others around you are
seated, while proceeding to Communion, and while exiting the Church. Many people will be
comfortable wearing their mask throughout celebrations. It is especially important to wear your
mask as you approach to receive Communion because you will be closer than 2m/6ft from the
presider. By wearing a mask, you are protecting the Presider.

Health Screening

The Government of New Brunswick has set guidelines for entry into facilities. Individuals are
required to answer a series of questions and only enter a facility if they meet the requirements for
entry.

You are asked to review the GNB Screening Tool prior to your arrival at the Cathedral. You will
be asked if you have done so and if you have met the requirements for entry.

Hand washing

Public Health recommends that you wash or sanitize your hands frequently, in particular, before
and after touching your face mask. Sanitizer is available at entrances and exits.
You are asked to sanitize your hands upon entering and exiting the Church.

Entrances and Exits

Following guidance of the Government of New Brunswick separate entrances and exits have been
identified to minimize the chance of people coming within close proximity of each other.
For Masses, you are asked to enter the Cathedral via the door to the right of the main doors (the
Choir door) and exit via the Virgin’s Chapel side door.

Directed Seating

Seating has been planned to ensure that the required physical distancing is maintained. All seats
are sanitized after each use.

You are asked to proceed to an attendant who will seat you while maintaining physical distancing.

You are asked to remain in your seat until Communion and/or exiting. If you are not receiving
Holy Communion please proceed in line with those receiving, crossing your arms across your chest
if you wish a special blessing, or simply continue to the exit. If you must leave prior to the end
of Mass, please do so via the Virgin’s Chapel.

Celebrating the Sacraments at the Cathedral

Eucharist

The Diocesan protocols for the celebration of Mass during the COVID-19 pandemic allows for
the distribution of Holy Communion after the final blessing; this will be the Cathedral practice. If
the presider makes contact with the communicant while distributing Holy Communion, he will
sanitize his hands before continuing.

You are asked to maintain physical distancing as you proceed towards the Presider.

You are asked to keep your hand flat (not cupped) when receiving Communion to avoid the
presider touching your hands. Once receiving the Host in your hand, step to the right side (2m/6ft),
consume the Host, then ensure your mask is in place as you exit via the Virgin’s Chapel.

For those receiving on the tongue, you are asked to remain in your pews until all other
communicants have received and then process to the Presider. This will allow the Presider to
sanitize his hands before and after the distribution of each Communion.

If you do not wish to receive Holy Communion, you are invited to come to the Presider with arms
folded over your chest and he will give you a blessing or you may proceed to the exit in the Virgin’s
Chapel.