VANCOUVER—Robert Gilmour has spent 25 years working in a little-appreciated role at Catholic cemeteries in New Westminster and South Surrey.
Since 1991, Gilmour has been preparing plots, cutting grass, pruning trees, and generally keeping St. Peter’s Cemetery and Gardens of Gethsemani tidy.
“I started working with my grandpa, Fred Haffer, at St. Peter’s,” said Gilmour. “Grandpa taught me how to mark and prepare plots for burials.”
Gilmour worked alongside his grandfather for many years. After his grandfather retired, the humble man kept on working at the two cemeteries. He recently received a papal blessing to honour 25 years of dedicated service to the Church.
