Gary Lloyd Wilson
July 6, 1942 – October 9, 2014
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Gary Wilson. A beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Gary is survived by his wife, Pamela, his daughter, Andrea (Scott), and his grandchildren, Ben and Ella. He is also survived by his brothers, Grant (Daphne) and Allen (Judi), and his step-brother, Glenn (Nita).
Gary was born in Lacombe, Alberta, the eldest of Laura Cunningham’s three boys. He attended the University of Calgary and continued to Simon Fraser University where he met his future wife, Pamela, and earned his PhD in Chemistry. After moving to Montreal in 1973, Gary began his 30-year career as a chemistry professor and administrator at John Abbott College. He was one of the founding members of College Chemistry Canada (C3). In 2005, Gary and Pamela returned to British Columbia to retire in the Comox Valley and spend time with their daughter and her family.
An avid outdoorsman, hiking, camping, canoeing, and skiing were among Gary’s favourite pursuits. As a university student he enjoyed summers in the Rocky Mountains, working as a photographer at Lake Louise. He coached the John Abbott College alpine ski team for several years, and he often organized canoeing trips to various Quebec and Ontario destinations. He completed numerous hikes in the Adirondack and Appalachian Mountains, as well as the West Coast Trail and the Chilkoot Trail.
In his retirement years, Gary was a member of Elder College, where he taught digital photography, participated in walking groups, and practiced T’ai Chi. He enjoyed playing guitar with the Evergreen Seniors’ Happy Gang. Gary felt fortunate to live in the beautiful Comox Valley and loved being close to the ocean and mountains.
An informal celebration of life will be held at his daughter’s house (2064 Gull Avenue, Comox) on Saturday, November 15th. Please drop in between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.