On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, our patriarch left us after 94 years of a life well lived.

Aubrey was born on July 26, 1930, during a worldwide depression. He was the eldest of four children and proved his character early on when his father died. At only eight years old, he went on to provide moral support to his mother and act as a surrogate father to his younger siblings. His memory of these times is of a house full of love, where grandparents from both sides provided unwavering support. This family network, filled with warmth and comfort, continued to be a source of strength throughout the Second World War when his mother left their hometown to work in a war munitions factory in Toronto.

At 15, Aubrey left school, seeking work to help support his mother and siblings. After a stint in a sawmill, just long enough to ensure he’d go deaf in later years, Aubrey entered the banking world. He rose within the bank from humble beginnings, ultimately transferring to Toronto as a troubleshooter. His uncanny ability to analyze numbers and spot mistakes stayed with him all his life.

Aubrey’s life took a romantic turn at a skating rink in Kingston, Ontario. He spotted Margaret Estella Hyland, and it was love at first sight. The 6′ 2″ Romeo and his Juliet were equally smitten, and their love story began. Four children followed: Sharon Ann (lost early on), Bonnie, Brian, and Lori-May, a testament to the enduring love and joy in their relationship.

Aubrey and Margaret’s deep Christian faith and desire to serve others would be a guiding principle for their lives. An opportunity arose for Aubrey to work for the Pentecostal Sub-Arctic Mission in Hay River, N.W.T., so in 1971, he moved his family north. As an accountant at the Pentecostal-run hospital, he found his niche in life. Aubrey and Margaret became linchpins within their church community and the social center. Rare was an evening without visitors. Until his last days, Aubrey continued to correspond with this church community.

Aubrey and Margaret retired to Grande Prairie in the early ’90s and came on board to help son Brian & daughter-in-law Deana start Prime Property Management. Their business legacy lives on as the company has now employed three generations of Bildsons.

After 62 years of marriage, Aubrey said goodbye to his “Brown Eyes” and continued to live on in their marital home alone. He continued to find joy in life and rarely could be found in a bad mood. His daily crib games and Thursday night suppers with his baby girl Lori-May lit up his life; he came to rely on his oldest daughter Bonnie to keep him on track and to his appointments on time, and he continued to share a life of bush adventures and stories with son Brian right up to his death.

Aubrey George Bildson loved deeply. And the things he loved deepest were his family, his faith, and the outdoors. Both family and friends could tell you story after story about how Aubrey played a positive role in their lives. Aubrey’s favourite saying was, “I am Blessed.” And he was, but not as much as us for having him in our lives.

Leaving behind to remember him are daughter Bonnie Lee & son-in-law Randy Lee; son Brian Bildson & daughter-in-law Deana Bildson; and daughter Lori-May Beers; Grandchildren: Jennifer Webb (Taylor), Kaylan Johnson (Brent), Kathleen Bildson (Cristian), Jason Bildson (Leah), Melissa St. Pierre (Brian), Jennifer Tink (Kiefer), Wade Beers (Kate), & Olivia Kreplin (Jon); Great-grandchildren: Jada (Eric), Oliver, Aiden, Sophie, Aubrey, Estella, Nyla, Linden, Bronson, Kathryn, Raegan, Maren, Joel, Westin, Lyla, Ella, & Bree; and Great-great grandchildren: Xavier & Zander.

The family is holding a private funeral; however, a celebration of Aubrey’s life will occur on Saturday, September 7th., at the Pomeroy Hotel between 2:00 & 4:00 pm. Instead of flowers, Aubrey would appreciate donations to Stars Air Ambulance (www.stars.ca), or your local food bank.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com.

• Date : 2024-08-20
• Location : Grande Prairie, Alberta

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