R Gordon Ganong

R. Gordon Ganong passed away on November 19, 2024, at the age of 77.  With equanimity and courage, he accepted his diagnosis of dementia in 2022, of Alzheimer’s in 2023, and lived each remaining day to the fullest possible for him.

For his wife Joyce of 37 years, he was a gentle, generous and caring life-mate, happily accepting new opportunities as they arose and loving the years they spent together.

For his stepdaughters Michelle Mackay and Susan Mackay, he was steady as a rock from the moment he joined their young adolescent lives.  He was so proud of them in every way.

Grandchildren Ella and Finn Griffiths were the first newborns he had ever held, he was overwhelmed with the immediate love he had for them, then astounded by their abounding energy and creativity as they grew. 

His older brother David, niece Bryana (Gord), nephews Aaron and Nick (Jen) and their children - Davan, Addison, Will, Ava and Reid - provided continuity of the Ganong family’s deep New Brunswick roots that he cherished.  His younger brothers Davey (nephew Adam and niece Madison) and Peter entered his life in his early teens adding to the family. 

His canine companions over his lifetime delighted him - Teku, Brunswick, Molly, Gibson and most recently Ruby who offered hours of furry snuggles on his lap as his world shrank.

At high school he enjoyed playing basketball and was accomplished at skipping class to play pool.  He hit his academic stride at UNB Fredericton achieving the Dean’s List while earning his Bachelor of Business Administration.

Born in the border town of St. Stephen, New Brunswick, he often spoke of the "casual intimacy" that he experienced living in a small community.  He carried his slightly untucked, small-town persona and his hearty laugh with him everywhere, making him approachable even when he was discomfortingly observant of what needed to improve.  He was consistent in his questions: What? When? How (much)? Why (not)?  These traits plus his unrelenting determination contributed to his successes.

His career took him across Canada from east to west, beginning in sales & marketing with the family business Ganong Bros Limited, then CIBC and Peak Frean’s in Toronto and on to Island Farms Dairy in Victoria.  From there he stepped into more senior management: General Manager of Island Farms Dairy, Vice President Corporate Development at Payless Gas, co-owner West Coast Candles in New Westminster, and Vice President, Dairyworld Foods where his roles changed as it grew to become a national company.

He offered his leadership to industry and community boards alike: B.C. Dairy Foundation, Dairy Councils of B.C. and Alberta, Economic Development Commission of Greater Victoria, Red Deer College (now Red Deer Polytech), Alberta Cancer Board, Bowen Island Municipality Advisory Committees - Planning, and Economic Development.

He engaged in our democratic process.  Wherever he lived he participated in his preferred candidate’s election campaign and advised elected officials on what was happening in his business world.

He had a few quirks, a notable one recording in his DayTimer every calorie he consumed and every penny he spent. Early on Michelle and Susan inspired by "The Muppet Show" dubbed him "Count Gordon".

He was curious about his surroundings - where he lived, he learned about its geography; where he travelled, he walked the streets absorbing life being lived, preferring to take the road less travelled.  When he retired, he took a college geography course about climate, another about astronomy, also physics because he figured he would need it to understand astronomy. 

He canoed the lakes and rivers of New Brunswick, Ontario, Alberta and the mighty Nahanni in the Yukon. 

He was Canadian through and through. 

Deep appreciation to so many compassionate professionals for their incredible support: Bowen Island Health Centre Caring Circle; Alzheimer’s Society of B.C.; Vancouver Coastal Health - Geriatric Assessment Clinic, Community & Home Support and the MAiD program. They made this difficult journey more possible.

Deeply humble thanks to family and friends, near and far, for their love and constant support, accepting Gordon as he changed and continuing to value him. He felt that.  It turns out that the world is a small caring community filled with the "casual intimacy" Gordon valued.

"Gordon, your family, friends and casual acquaintances are all so grateful that you shared your life with us."

In his memory, continuing a fine St. Stephen tradition, please take a moment to tell a "Gordon story" to be repeated word for word, over and again; a small-town miracle, and a way of holding Gordon in our hearts.

For those who wish, donations to the Ganong Nature Park Fund at the Fundy Community Foundation or Community Fund at the Fundy Community Foundation, www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/52031, would be appreciated.  Condolences may be sent to the family online at mehanfuneralhome.ca