Born 18 January, 1950 - - - Died 8 May, 1982
This week marks the 36th  anniversary of the passing of the great Gilles Villeneuve.
I had the good fortune to meet and watch Gilles on five or six occasions  when he raced in Formula Atlantic. I also had the pleasure of seeing him win the Long Beach Grand Prix. He was a fierce competitor, but when he was away from the car he was a very pleasant and genuine person and devoted husband and father. To me he embodied the best of what a racing driver should be.
He is sadly missed.
I can't do much better than to offer the following:
Obituary   by Nigel Roebuck for Autosport Magazine - May 13, 1982.
http://www.iprimus.ca/~trauttf/Gilles/Obituary.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vk-kxZe8NA&feature=share