Obituary of Gilbert Rathbone Winham

It is with sadness that the family of Gilbert Rathbone Winham, age 80 of Bedford, announce his passing on January 1st, 2019, at Grand View Manor in Berwick NS. Born in New York, N.Y., USA, he was the son of the late Alfred R. Winham and Margery Rankin Post. Gil was a resident of Bedford for 43 years. He took great pride in his work, the history of which included: Professor emeritus of Political Science at Dalhousie University (taught International Relations, American Foreign Policy, and Diplomacy & Negotiation); taught International Trade Law at Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie; and previously taught at McMaster University in Hamilton Ont. He was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Gil also conducted training in trade negotiation for GATT/WTO (Geneva) and in ocean policy and management for International Ocean Institute (Dalhousie). He spent 3 years in the U.S. Navy, rank: Lieutenant, Underwater Demolition Team 12 in California. He greatly enjoyed active sports, especially hockey (Bedford Basic Four Hockey and Dalhousie Noon-Hour Hockey) and sailing as a member of the Bedford Basin Yacht Club and Lunenburg Yacht Club in the area races and regattas. Gil loved music and was a member of the All Nations Church Choir, the Halifax Harmonizers Barbershop Chorus, and the “You Gotta Sing” chorus. As Grampie to 6, he delighted in spending time with his grandchildren at the family cottage on Herman’s Island, Mahone Bay while boating and telling tales of his day as a “Frogman”. Gil will be lovingly remembered by his wife Linda (Tanner) of 58 years; son Russell (Sherry Wheatley); daughters Karla (Gary Altenkirk) and Nina (Linda Kemp); brother Bruce Spencer Winham (Millie); grandchildren Ella, Peter, Tanner, Katrina, Nicholas, and Scarlett; as well as several nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, Bedford. (902-835-4212) As per the family’s wishes, no visitation will be held, and a funeral service will be held on Friday, January 11th, at 2 pm, at the All Nations Christian Reformed Church, 2535 Robie Street, Halifax, with reception to follow. Interment will take place at a later date in the Bedford Brookside Community Cemetery. The family wishes to thank the Alzheimers Society for their information and support in early days, and the staff at Grand View Manor in Berwick, NS, whose loving care carried him through his last month. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gil’s memory can be made to the Alzheimers Society of Nova Scotia, or to the Salvation Army Bedford Branch. Online condolences and sharing of memories can be made by visiting www.tjtracey.com.