Hec Gervais
Encyclopedia
Hector J. "The Friendly Giant" Gervais (1934-July 19, 1997) was a Canadian
curler from Edmonton
, Alberta
. He was a two-time Brier champion and former World Champion
.
Gervais broke into the curling scene in the late 1950s, and in 1960 he teamed up with curling great Matt Baldwin
to play in the Alberta provincials that year. Despite being considered a "super squad", the team didn't make it out of the province and split up after the season. Gervais would form his own team of Ron Anton, Ray Werner and Wally Ursuliak. This team would win the Alberta provincials, and also won that years' Macdonald Brier. The team (with Vic Raymer in place of Anton) closed the season by winning the 1961 Scotch Cup
, becoming World Champions. At the time, the "gentle giant" weighed 270 pounds. (Regina Leader-Post, March 22, 1961)
The Gervais rink would return to the 1962, but lost in a playoff to Ernie Richardson
's Saskatchewan rink.
Gervais would not return to the Brier until 1970. At that Brier, his team of Bill Mitchell, Wayne Saboe and Bill Tainsh posted an impressive 8-2 record, but it would only be good for second place, finishing behind Manitoba's Don Duguid
.
Gervais made his last trip to the Brier in 1974. He re-united with Anton and teamed up with Warren Hansen and Darrell Sutton. The team finished with an 8-2 record once again. This time however, it was good enough to win the Brier. The win sent them to the 1974 World Championships
. The team finished in fourth place, after losing its semi-final matchup to Sweden 8-7.
Gervais had heart problems for much of his later life. In 1987, he had undergone heart surgery. He succumbed to a heart attack and died in 1997.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
curler from Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. He was a two-time Brier champion and former World Champion
World Curling Championships
The World Curling Championships are annual curling events which showcase the world's best curlers, organized by the World Curling Federation. There are men's, women's and mixed championships. The men's championship started in 1959, while the women's in 1979...
.
Gervais broke into the curling scene in the late 1950s, and in 1960 he teamed up with curling great Matt Baldwin
Matt Baldwin
Matthew M. Baldwin is a Canadian curler from Edmonton.Baldwin is a three time Brier champion, having skipped to the Canadian men's championship in 1954, 1957 and 1958....
to play in the Alberta provincials that year. Despite being considered a "super squad", the team didn't make it out of the province and split up after the season. Gervais would form his own team of Ron Anton, Ray Werner and Wally Ursuliak. This team would win the Alberta provincials, and also won that years' Macdonald Brier. The team (with Vic Raymer in place of Anton) closed the season by winning the 1961 Scotch Cup
1961 Scotch Cup
-Draw 2:-Draw 3:-Draw 4:March 23, Kirkcaldy-Draw 5:-Draw 6:-Playoffs:-Semi final:-Final:...
, becoming World Champions. At the time, the "gentle giant" weighed 270 pounds. (Regina Leader-Post, March 22, 1961)
The Gervais rink would return to the 1962, but lost in a playoff to Ernie Richardson
Ernie Richardson
Ernest M. Richardson, CM is a Canadian and world curling champion.Ernie Richardson was the skip of the Regina-based team made up of his brother Garnet and cousins Arnold, Wes Richardson, and Mel Perry who replaced Wes in 1963 due to back issues...
's Saskatchewan rink.
Gervais would not return to the Brier until 1970. At that Brier, his team of Bill Mitchell, Wayne Saboe and Bill Tainsh posted an impressive 8-2 record, but it would only be good for second place, finishing behind Manitoba's Don Duguid
Don Duguid
Donald G. Duguid is a Canadian champion curler. A three-time winner of the Canadian Brier and two-time World Curling Championships champion, Duguid won the Brier in 1965, 1970 and 1971, and the Worlds in 1970 and 1971...
.
Gervais made his last trip to the Brier in 1974. He re-united with Anton and teamed up with Warren Hansen and Darrell Sutton. The team finished with an 8-2 record once again. This time however, it was good enough to win the Brier. The win sent them to the 1974 World Championships
1974 Air Canada Silver Broom
-Playoffs:-Semifinals:-Final:...
. The team finished in fourth place, after losing its semi-final matchup to Sweden 8-7.
Gervais had heart problems for much of his later life. In 1987, he had undergone heart surgery. He succumbed to a heart attack and died in 1997.