We Remember
GAY, John Ernest
August 15, 1929 — September 2, 2021
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.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place on October 9, 2021, at St. Charles Garnier Parish, in Kelowna, BC. Interment followed.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Service
October 9, 2021
Location
St. Charles Garnier Parish
I want to offer my most sincere condolences to Joyce, all the kids and the grandchildren. I was fortunate enough to spend lots of time with Jennifer growing up. I always felt welcome by John and Joyce and the rest of the family. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Darrell and I send our sincere condolences to you and your family Joyce. John was a Giant of a man but a gentle giant at that and loved by all who knew him. I can still hear him saying to you when you were building your home at Country Club Estates and you were choosing lots of upgrades for the house “Go ahead Joyce, when she’s gone she’s gone. I pray that you are granted the strength to cope with this immeasurable loss of your Dear John.
Eileen Loewen
Dear Judy and Mike,
Deepest condolences on the loss of Mike’s Dad.
Thinking of you both and the family.
Catherine and Patrick Charles
Deeply sorry to hear of John’s passing. So many fond memories of him from the ski hill and he was even the MC at our wedding. He was funny and fun and brought joy wherever he went. I am sending hugs and love to his family. May he rest in the everlasting arms.
Brad & Colleen: Our deepest sympathy to you and the family on your loss. John’s passing will leave a huge gap, which we know will be filled with loving memories. Serendipitous that all the family was already gathering for his namesake’s wedding. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Brad you are in our thoughts since we heard the sad news. Condolences to you and your family. After all the highs of your Olympian John and then to lose the best Golfer of his age. Life sure can be tough to figure out. Your faith in God hopefully will cushion the blow of losing your father. Losing a parent is a milestone in everyone’s life. Sadly it is one that we have to endure.
God Bless and remember the good times.
“No bheidh a leitheid Ari’s Ann” ( there will never be his like again)
God Bless from Maeve and I
Joyce, I am so sorry to hear about John. We never met, and as I read about him I realize that I missed knowing a wonderful man. What a loss for you and your family. The love he created shines through in the caring words written about him.
Where do I begin to tell the story of how impactful John has been to our family. From the moment my dad John Luckey met John Gay and then the two Joyces were introduced, a deep friendship was formed between our families and a bond that lasts to this day. Ski trips, Christmas Eve celebrations, family vacations, weekend get togethers, – we lived life, laughed, celebrated, and loved and supported each other in this journey of life. No doubt the two Johns are so happy to be reunited and up in heaven sharing inside jokes and a rum and coke or two. John was larger than life with a big booming laugh and the best sense of humor that we could all laugh along to. So many stories to hold dear to our hearts. All our love and deepest condolences to Joyce and all the family. XXOO Janice Myers (Luckey)
Mrs. Gay and Family,
Please accept our most sincere condolences on your loss. Will always remember what a good and nice man he was.
Mike & Carolyn Waschuk
Joyce and family
Our condolences on Johns passing. I know his smile and laugh will greatly be missed. He was a truly very nice man. You both were so good to my kids growing up and we loved coming over for visits.