Gens HELLQUIST

You are never forgotten Gens. XO Gene

RIP Gens. Thank you for being a guiding light.

Good morning. RIP.

Remembering an incredible man who demonstrated caring and loving kindness. Gens, you are forever in my heart. XO Gene

Hi Gens,
Lighting a candle in my heart for you tonight. Love Gene

Thoughts and prayers!

Still keeping you in my thoughts and prayers Gens. XO Gene

Thinking about you Gens. RIP

RIP Gens!

Thinking about you Gens. You will forever be in my heart and soul. RIP, Gene

Thank you for igniting an unquenchable passion in all of us with your generosity and love. You continue to lift us higher and challenge us to action. Rest easy, Gens, and know you are missed.

It has been over a year since you left us Gens! Rest in peace. Love Gene

I want to express my sincere condolences to Gens family and friends. I know that Gens had a huge network of what he considered to be his extended family that has had to cope with the loss of this exceptional man!

I am so sad to find out that Gens passed away! Words cannot describe how much of a difference Gens made in my life in the late 1990's when I felt lost and confused during my coming out process! I will feel forever grateful that I connected with Gens who freely offered his love, support, and life wisdom!

I look forward to seeing you on the other side of the "Rainbow Bridge" Gens!

Lots of love, Gene

Wow. I somehow missed the news until now. I have heard Gens' name frequently, associated with important LGBT causes, ever since moving to Canada in 1999 and am saddened to hear of his passing. All my best to his loved ones and many colleagues and friends. What an inspiring man.

Gens always challenged me to accept myself as a gay man and those that do not. He taught me well.

Gens, I wish you well on the other side.
you are not forgotten.

Goodbye Gens - Thanks for creating a legacy for us to on a lighted path because of the trail you blazed.

I don't think I would be here without the help of Gens personally, and the community he helped create. Thank-you and Rest in Peace.

"He fought because he felt safer fighting than running" Richard Adams Watership Down
Remembering you Gens

I am deeply saddened by Gens Death. I first met him in 1972 at a dance held by the Zodiak Friendship Society, precursor to the first g/l/b/t centre. I have many fond memories of Gens compassion and total commitment to justice for us in this g/l/b/t community, working alongside him in HIV/AIDS work and justice work for lesbians and gay men. You held the torch very high for the rest of us workers Gens. Peace at last. Erin Shoemaker

I first met Gens when I was 17 and just coming out. I was still in high school and had left home. He was a lighthouse in a storm for me - and back in 1981 the storms were raging larger than ever against the LGBT community. I have always remembered you Gens, and been so grateful for how you helped me - even though I moved to Vancouver a year after high school ended and saw you only once since. I am in shock that you are gone. You were a force to be reckoned with and did so much for so many - the ripple effect of your work and love will be felt beyond what anyone could ever imagine. One could only hope to have a life that had such impact and healing on others. You will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything and my heartfelt condolences to your family and friends. May you rest and play with the angels and know you were one living among us while you were here.

Gens, I've known you for 45 years, you crusty fellow. You'll be missed for your constancy and leadership. Good bye old friend!

Gens, you were an awesome person. Thank you. Every time we would meet we say "hi" and you always remember me by name. Rest in Peace.

a heartfelt THANK YOU (will never be enough) for helping me in dealing with one of the most important changes in my life. I will miss you.

May the vision, tenacity, and love of life Gens portrayed live on in each of us in our own unique way.

Gens, we will miss you. Although it has been awhile since we were at the same meeting. I loved that you were still out there, having the conversations, engaging in the debate. I will miss you

I am so sad to hear of Gens death. I always enjoyed working with him on many different issues. I will hold him in a place in my heart.

Gens; I will miss your wry smile, sharp wit and never ending challenging of the status quo. You inspired me to do the work I do like others before you and those who will no doubt follow. Thanks for all you gave, shared and fought for to improve the lives and human rights for all at every level. My heart is heavy with loss yet lifted in the knowledge your work will continue in the hands of the many you have and continue to inspire. I will miss your many many charms.

Thank you for all you've done for our city and the greater community around us. Rest easy in that there will be others to carry on your work.

So sad to learn of Gen's passing - his work at the Community Aid/Resource Center is etched in my memory. I learned so much from him as did others.
Ollie C. Saskatoon

We had so much fun together as young cousins each time our families got together for a meal, a trip to the Forestry Farm or Kinsmen Park. We saw one another less often as busy adults but when those occasions arose, our bond was still there. God bless, dear cousin.

I will miss my big loving cousin! I have so many wonderful memories of my trips to Saskatoon and the great times spent with the Hellquist family. Love to all of you missing Gens (Doug) at this time

So sad to hear of his passing. He was truly one of the most kind, gentle and loving souls I have ever encountered. His contribution to the community will never be forgotten. Until we meet again...love you dearly my friend.

Gens you will be sadly missed by so many people. I will miss reading your Perceptions Magazine and the chats we had. Your work at the Avenue Center will feel very empty with your presence not there.

Daddy you were never very big on candles except in the basement but I really need the light just now.

to gens family and friends,
I met gens a few times and found him an interesting and very compassionate man, who worked hard to ensure the rights and wellbeing of the LGBT community. he will be missed! my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

I first met Gens over 30 years ago when I was a volunteer at the Community Aid Resource Centre, and he was the director there. Although we weren't personal friends, we were colleagues in the struggles for social justice in our community. Our paths crossed many times, and we always enjoyed sharing stories of our work. I appreciated his determination, and in our most recent conversation, he expressed discouragement about how long it seemed to be taking for society to understand the demands for equality among LGBT people, and he was particularly outraged by the lack of support services for youth. Gens' leadership, courage and insistence on equality for the LGBT community, and for all those who are vulnerable among us, was truly inspiring. I am saddened by his death, and thankful to have known him. May you rest in peace, Gens.

His contribution to the well-being of LGBTQ communities in Saskatoon and beyond is incalculable. Deepest condolences to his loved ones. Go in peace Gens.

I am deeply saddened to learn of Gens' death. I've always looked forward to reading the next issue of "Perceptions". Gens was a strong advocate for all in the LGBT community. I'll miss reading his articulate and passionate support for equality and health services, and I thank him for his many years of dedicated service, while on a shoestring budget.

You'll be in my thoughts on Thursday afternoon.