Eugene (Gene) Fidler

Charles Eugene (Gene) Fidler

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Charles Eugene (Gene) Fidler on May 18, 2025 at the Selkirk and District Hospital with his son, John, holding his hand and surrounded with love.  Gene is survived by his wife Marilyn, his son John (Della), his daughter-in-law Lorraine and grandchildren Adam (Danielle), Amy and his new great granddaughter soon to be arriving in June to Adam and Danielle.

He was predeceased by his first love, Eva and his son, Charlie.

Gene was foremost a family man and was always planning meals where everyone could join in and enjoy.  He felt blessed at the arrival of his grandchildren Adam and Amy and treasured the time spent with them as they grew up.

Gene was also an avid hunter and conservationist and each hunting season he looked forward to hunting trips with his son John with whom he was able to develop memories that will be enjoyed for a lifetime.  Among his favourites was moose camp and St Lazare hunts where he also served as a mentor to the many that he hunted with.  Gene and John's pinnacle trip was to Africa where he was able to fulfill a life’s dream of a cape buffalo at the age of 77.  He will be missed on all the hunting adventures he had with all his hunting buddies.  

Gene was one of a lucky few who found a second chance at love when he met and married Marilyn.  They were able to enjoy retirement together with many road trips across Canada and the U.S. to visit family and many life-long friends.  They just celebrated their 17th anniversary on May 10, 2025.  Dad made sure about twenty times that I had ordered the flowers for Marilyn. After retirement Gene was able to focus more time to one of his other passions - wood working. He could often be found in his garage tinkering on some projects while educating curious neighbourhood children who stopped by to chat.

Gene, Husband, Dad, Papa we will miss you beyond words from here to heaven.  Even though our hearts are broken we are comforted with the knowledge that you are at peace and reunited with your loves who passed too early.  We know you will be watching out for us from above and sending support to guide us through.

He had a fulfilling career at CN Freight Sales in Winnipeg, MB where he learned the gift of the gab. Canadian National Railways was where he met the first love of his life Eva Isabella Manson which resulted in a marriage that lasted 43 years and produced two sons that were his lifelong joy - Charlie and Johnny.  He taught them to work hard and be the best you can be in anything that we wanted to do and Mom and Dad supported everything we did.  From 6 a.m. hockey practices to 4:30 a.m. duck hunts, they had our backs.  The Fidler household on Grain Avenue was always the place to be with a hockey rink in the backyard and hand tied nets to be enjoyed with all the neighbors and hockey teammates and Dad continued the tradition by building a rink for the neighborhood kids at age 88, just a few years ago, with lights and everything. 

He was an avid fisherman, and loved making new lures to try, whittling them from broom handles, and painting them up, and so started Chas. Fidler & Son Ltd with his father Charles (Chas) in 1958 in Paw’s basement. Tying pickerel rigs and snelled hooks, pouring sinkers, and making plans for a fishing tackle manufacturer, importer, and distributor.  After relocating CF&S from his father's basement he built the building at 26 main street in 1976 and developed the Old Killer name which became famous in the fishing world known for top quality products and fair prices and the Old Killer name is still known to this day.  He held back the business a bit from 77-80 so that the boys could help in the development of the company once we finished school.  A couple highlights back then were the Fid-L-Stix fishing rods, and the Uncle Charlie knives, which he developed, as well as over 30 other product names.  He loved working and continued till he was in his eighties,  always being the first one there at work.

He was also a Mason and was a member of the Lisgar Lodge in Selkirk for over 50 years, getting his 50-year medal, as well as a honorary lifetime membership in the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.  Dad was also a member of the Shrine, also getting his 50-year jewel for service, and was the oldest Circus Daddy supporter in Manitoba history of the Shriners.  He was a descendant of Peter Fidler, head surveyor for the Hudson Bay company, being the 8th generation here in Manitoba.

In his younger years he looked after Adam and Amy and before that, he was the first to give a home and love to children when it was needed - to all his nieces, plus, he had the pleasure of having fun times with his new grandkids - Marilyn’s grandchildren – Darian, Brennan and Brinly.

He was and is loved by so many and will be truly missed.  Dadders, go find us a new place to hunt and fish, as we will meet again.   

A celebration of life will be held at Gilbart Funeral Chapel, 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk, MB On Monday May 26, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed via the following link https://youtube.com/live/lhpiJoHMkIE

"so don't cry for me because life is done

 planting fields has just begun

 come fall may smiles adorn your face

 knowing I've gone hunting  ........

       in a better place"

Tributes: www.gilbartfuneralhome.com

Gilbart Funeral Home, Selkirk in care of arrangements.

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