It is with profound sadness that the family announces the peaceful passing of R.E. Gordon Davis, from sudden worsening of a chronic leukemia, on July 19, 2019 at Vancouver General Hospital at the age of 81 years.
Gordon was born in 1938 to Prof. N.F. Gordon Davis and Phyllis Gilmour Davis (née Leckie) in Vancouver, B.C. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Margaret Davis of Vancouver, daughter Alison Armstrong, son Gordon Davis, and four grandchildren, as well as many friends and colleagues.
Gordon lived all of his life in Vancouver B.C. (UEL) where he attended both University Hill Elementary and Secondary schools, classmates from which remained lifelong friends. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Geological Engineering in 1962. He married Margaret Ruth Leroux in 1967. As a loving husband, he cherished their 52 years together.
Gordon had a long association with the Yukon where he first arrived in 1959 and where he helped discover several mineral deposits. He was a founder of the Cyprus Anvil Mining Corporation and was subsequently a director of a number of resource companies in Canada, including Pine Point Mines, Cabre Exploration, Golden Knight Resources, Silver Standard Resources and Pacific Ridge Explorations. Gordon co-founded Trans North Helicopters in Whitehorse in 1966, which turned out to be a lifelong involvement and a key part of his close personal bond with the Yukon. He was an avid sportsman, finishing several marathons, and proud of finishing every leg of the annual Klondike Road Relay as a member of the Trans North team. His passion for golf, as well as family travel, led to ties to communities in Kauai, and fond memories of other destinations. As a local supporter of the arts in Vancouver, he was especially engaged in fundraising for Arts Umbrella. More recently he became increasingly involved in fundraising for the UBC Department of Geology.
Gordon’s generosity and support of family and friends were paramount and will be cherished forever. To his many friends – from running, golf, childhood, geology, business, travelling, art interests and general everyday living – he treasured all of you. Gordon loved parties, and so there will be an informal reception in his honour at a later date. We, his family, love flowers but would ask you instead to consider donating to a local charity.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of R E Gordon Davis July 19th 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique