The man known as "The Friendly Giant", Hector Gervais, began his curling career as a young man in St. Albert. His interests were so close to curling he helped his grandfather in building the St. Albert Curling Club. Hec's success in the 1950's at bonspiels was consistent; however his success at the Provincials and Dominion levels had not yet surfaced.

In 1959, Hector joined forces with the legendary Matt Baldwin, Freddie Fekete and Bill Price. The team dominated at the bonspiel level throughout that year, and advanced to the provincial finals in Calgary playing on arena ice. They were defeated in the finals by Stu Beagle, of Blackie, to represent the Province of Alberta.

In 1961, Hector went back on his own building a new team consisting of Ron Anton, Ray Werner, and Wally Ursuliak. Hector advanced on to the provincials winning as well the Canadian and the Scotch Cup -- emblematic of World Curling Supremacy.

Hector had now arrived at an era with outstanding competitive curlers, his menacing foe from Calgary, Ron Northcott and of course the legendary Richardson team from Saskatchewan. In 1962, Hector again advanced to the Brier and was defeated by the Richardson foursome of Regina.

He continued to knock on the door each year but not until 1967, Hector with Don Anderson, Bob Hawkins, and Wally Ursuliak lost to Ron Northcott of Calgary. Hector was 4 up playing the 11th end, the team missed ½ shot and Ron tied it counting 4 and then lost the game.

In 1969/70 season with a team consisting of Hector, Bill Mitchell, Wayne Saboe, and Bill Tainsh; Hector again won the right to represent Alberta in the Brier. A highlight of the Brier was the game against Saskatchewan's Bob Pickering on Wednesday night. The arena was packed with over 10,000 spectators, and the host province of Manitoba was not playing that night. The Gervais team finished runner up to Don Duguid of Manitoba that year.

In 1973, with Ron Anton, Warren Hansen and Darrell Sutton, Hector again represented Alberta in the Brier. The team won the Brier and lost the World Championship played in Berne, Switzerland.

Hector continued to play competitively through the 1980's. He was proud to be able to play with his sons Stan and Hector, and Ron Anton; they were 3rd in the World Open Bonspiel at Edmonton's Shamrock Curling Club.

In 1990 probably one of the highlights of his career occurred. He with Ron Anton, and sons Stan and Hector, were able to capture a berth in the Northern Alberta Playdowns. This was a great accomplishment considering the improvement in teams and ice conditions during the 80's and 90's. Other accomplishments in Hector's curling career

	1976 Northern Alberta Mixed Curling Championship with wife Helen and long time friends Casey and Betty Anderson
	CBC Championship curling numerous times
	He won 3 sets of cars during his career
	1966 Hec skipped a team in the Ellerslie Bonspiel, consisting of his 2 sons Stan and Hector, and his grandson Ryan -- three generations on one team
	The Friendly Giant lounge in the St. Albert Curling Club is named after him
	Won the Massey Ferguson Farm Spiel 3 times
	Curled in the Nelson Midsummer Bonspiel for over 30 years winning it on several occasions

Hector became the manager of the Avonair Curling Club in 1988 and remained there until 1997. He was very proud of his accomplishments there making it one of the best-known curling clubs in Alberta.
Hector had bypass surgery in 1986, which was very successful. His wife Helen passed away suddenly November 1996. Hector met and married Sandra in 1996. They had a short time together as Hector passed away from a sudden heart attack July 19, 1997.