GAY, John Ernest
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On Thursday, September 2, 2021, John Ernest Gay was welcomed into the arms of our Saviour and Lord, at the age of 92 years. He is lovingly remembered by the love his life, Joyce.
John was blessed with 64 glorious years with his bride. Together they created a legacy of love. He is survived by Joyce and their six children: Michael (Judith), Kathryn (Dave), Brad (Colleen), Scott (Leocadia), Jennifer (Rob), and Janet (Paul), as well as 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Dad was born August 15, 1929 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan where he was known to many as hockey legend, Johnny Gay. He met Joyce in the summer of 1956 after mom was challenged to see if she could land a date with ‘THE Johnny Gay’. Mom took that challenge, and the rest is history. Upon seeing John for the first time, Joyce’s dad said he sure was an “unsettled looking bugger”. Turns out he was for some time. Dad was determined to provide well for his wife and family and tried on many hats over the years: enjoying success as a travelling salesman, insurance sales, and bulk fuel dealer. Until, he opened ‘Green Acres’ a successful bulk fertilizer and Anhydrous Ammonia business in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Even after retirement, Dad was always looking for “the next big thing” for his children and grandchildren. He has always been our greatest encourager and cheerleader. Dad and Mom raised their bunch in North Battleford, Saskatchewan for many years. Dad was an integral part of the community as a businessman, as well as a friend. He had many friends, and they all loved to laugh together and enjoy life to the fullest.
Whenever possible, you would find Dad on the golf course. He loved the game, as well as the connection with friends, and strangers, that he would meet on the greens. He was a gifted golfer and shot his age almost every year between 69 and 89. When Mom and Dad retired to Vernon, BC, they built a beautiful home overlooking, to Mom’s dismay, the golf course (not the lake view she had envisioned). His last three years have been spent in Kelowna, BC at the Missionwood Retirement Resort. He found, and shared, a lot of joy at Missionwood. Everywhere John went, he was building amazing connections in community with new life-long friends. We thank the residents and staff at Missionwood for the great community they have developed. We know Mom is surrounded by friends.
If you asked 100 people who John Gay was, they would tell you he was a positive, fun, honourable, loving, man of integrity, and he was filled with pride in the family he and Joyce had built. John and Joyce would look around at our family gatherings (and there were a lot of them) and say to each other with huge smiles “We did this”.
We will miss him every day, but we cherish every memory, laugh, hug, and the joy he radiated and shared. As you have blessed us, God Bless you Dad, until we meet again.
Johns bunch: Joyce, their six children and spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered on September 5, 2021, to remember and celebrate our wonderful patriarch’s exceptional life.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de GAY John Ernest —..
Décès pour la Ville: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique