Delbert Alexander Gillespie was born May 30 ^th , 1926 to Alex and Elizabeth Gillespie in Calgary, AB. Delbert passed away in Brooks on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at the age of 93 years. He was the eldest of four siblings Alice, Crawford, and William. Delbert was raised at the feedlot in Bonnybrook east Calgary. In 1952, he married Eleanor Sonnie of Nanton and in 1953, Delbert and Eleanor welcomed their first child, Deborah Margret. Marshall Alexander came along in 1956 and Cameron Delbert followed in 1959. They built a life and home on the Red Deer River that they both came to love so much. Delbert loved his way of life and he was honest and generous to a fault. A kind hearted man, Delbert conducted his life as a true country gentleman. He loved the history of his community and the people that lived there. Delbert was an authority on the history of the Red Deer River Valley. Music played a huge part in his life from the beginning and he could play by ear. In his later years he played with many groups and bands around the area. Music was a passion that he loved until the end. Eleanor and the Family would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to all of the staff at Sunrise Gardens who, in extremely difficult circumstances, cared for Delbert with great care and compassion unto his end. Delbert was pre-deceased by his granddaughter Allison, sister Alice Bickell, daughter Debbie, son-in-law Sheldon Peake and brother Crawford Gillespie. He is survived by his wife Eleanor and two sons, Marshall (Donna) and Cameron (Laurie); brother Bill (Wendy) Gillespie; seven grandchildren, Lauren (Lars) Nielsen, Joscelyn (Kevin) Stangowitz, Joanna (Carson) Slorstad, Valerie Gillespie, Jordie (Lorna) Gillespie, Ryan (Kellee) Gillespie, and Brent (Sandy) Gillespie; his 14 great-grands, Liam, Lane, Kira, Joel, Sam, Sally, Josie, Andi, Molly, Milo, Brenna, Rowen, Jameson and Dane. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 20 ^th at 2:00 PM from the Bassano Community Hall. Rev. Peter Baek officiating.

Cremation is entrusted to and conducted by

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks