December 18, 1933 - April 26, 2025
Beloved husband of Elgay (nee Harten) for 68 years.
Loving father to sons Robert and Gregory. Predeceased by his parents Gertrude and Guy, and five brothers (Jack, Frank, Tom, Bill and Don) and sister (Jean). Survived by his sister (Ann).
Born in Northern Ontario he spent his formative years living and working in remote parts of the province. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and attended the Royal Military College in Kingston (Class of 1957) before earning a BASc in Aeronautical Engineering from UBC. He received his Professional Engineer designation several years later. This was followed by Flight School where he earned his wings and flew CF-100 aircraft amongst many other types.
36 years were spent in service to the people of Canada with postings to Germany, Italy, the United States and throughout Canada. When he retired, he chose Ladysmith as his final posting.
Here he quickly established himself as an active member of many organizations. A founding member of the Ladysmith Probus Club, Coordinator for 9 years of Ladysmith Citizens on Patrol (COPS), longtime member of Cowichan Valley Emergency Communications Team, member of the Ladysmith Emergency Program, drove the Ladysmith Resource Centre van taking seniors to doctors' appointments and handicapped school children to Frank Jameson Community Centre for years, volunteer for the Ladysmith Red Cross and numerous other groups in the community. In 2009 he along with his wife Gay were recognized for their contributions to Ladysmith by being made Citizens of the Year.
Gus's life was one truly well lived and he will be remembered with love.
Greatly missed by family and friends.