Submitted by Selkirk & District Community Foundation
Lifelong Selkirk resident Brian Gilhuly died in September 2017 and made the kindest of gestures when he left the Selkirk and District Community Foundation one of the largest willed donations it had ever received.
Part of that donation was a set of gemstones and those very stones were up for auction. The online auction, hosted by Kaye’s Auction House, ran from Aug. 30 to Sept. 7, and while that in itself is not unique, the items for sale and the journey they’ve taken to get there certainly are.
“It’s an incredible story when you think about it,” said Bev Clegg, Executive Director of the SDCF. “Mr. Gilhuly was a private man who cared deeply about his community and made the decision to make an amazing gift which included these gemstones. People often think that money is the only gift you can make to the Foundation, but this shows there are many ways you can contribute.”Long-time friend and neighbour Jean Oliver said Brian was a dedicated sports fan –golf was his favourite along with his cherished Winnipeg Blue Bombers –and he cared deeply about his community. His grandfather owned and operated Gilhuly’s Drug Store on Eveline Street for years; his father became a pharmacist as well and took over the family business.
The store is still there today as Super Thrifty. Mr. Gilhuly became an accountant.“The stones were of obvious sentiment to Brianand it’s heartwarming that he would entrust them to the Foundation with the knowledge that they would one day contribute to the betterment of his home town,” Oliver said.The SDCF held an auction for an extensive collection of sports memorabilia willed to it by the late Bob Jefferson. Bobby J –as he was known far and wide –had a collection of sports jerseys, photos and everything and anything that was adorned by a team logo from the Winnipeg Jets to the Detroit Red Wings.
“We have an incredible community and there’s so many people who consider us in their day to day lives and those who make a gift as part of their estate,” Clegg said.“These stones that will be up for auction tell a story, that there’s so many different ways to give and to support your community. All of us at the Foundation are honoured to be a part of this journey and to ensure that Mr. Gilhuly’s wish to support his home community in perpetuity is granted. We appreciate his gift and his enduring desire for a better community.”
For more information or to participate in the online auction, visit kayesauctions.com
