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Patricia Sikorski planted 3 trees in memory of Garry Gibson
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
3 trees were planted in memory of
Garry Gibson
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May God give you the strength in faith everyday by keeping the beautiful memories treasured in your hearts. May the love and memories comfort you. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Irene and Gerhard planted a tree in memory of Garry Gibson
Monday, May 9, 2022
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During our year at Edmonton Dorothy and Garry were neighbours, friends and family for us. Thank you, you will live in our hearts. Sincere condolences Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Philip Simrose posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
So sad to hear. Gibber was one of the greatest influences in my life. My thoughts are with you, John, Carol, and Nancy.
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Carol Allen posted a condolence
Thursday, December 23, 2021
I am saddened to hear of Garry's passing. During my 13 years at Augustana, I had the privilege of getting to know Garry and Dorothy. He was a driving positive force when he encouraged my daughter Kimberly to sign up for a cross-country race. She came in 3rd and it was a special thrill for all concerned. I remember Garry always loved his vacation time in Trail, BC. He was also very supportive when I approached the City to rent space in the Stoney Creek Centre for my new venture The Valley Tea Room. He was so encouraging and I loved it when he and Dorothy came to visit. There are very few people I know that made such a positive impact on everyone he met. He was definitely a "gentle giant" among men and will be sorely missed by all who were privileged to know him. RIP Garry..we will all miss you/Carol Allen
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Carolene Kuschminder posted a condolence
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Death has a feeling of finality. On its heels comes grief bringing loss, loneliness, and tears. Death for the immediate family can have its own special sharpness.
Sometimes, it seems, God puts individuals on earth that have a great capacity for love, for giving, for sharing insight. Dr. Gibson, predeceased by his beloved wife, Dorothy, were two such persons.
The way I think of it, I see Dr. Gibson as transitioning from being a lay minister in Burns Lake to ministering, instead, to young university students in his role as professor and coach. Travelling to canoeing and x country skiing competitions around the province afforded plenty of time for conversation. Though technically not legal, a five gallon pail of cookies, dubbed the "hot seat", was set beside Gibber, who was at the wheel of a mini-bus, our mode of transport. Here, Gibber would connect with us, inquiring about our lives, our struggles, our hopes. Some advice or maybe just a listening ear would be offered. He used sport and competition to show us that we can do more than we think we can, but simultaneously, he purposefully built community and prompted us to remember the ladder by which we climb.
How do you say good bye to a legend, a particularly bright light? Not easily, and never completely. I carry the memories of Gary and Do with me. Their lessons and example live through me in my love of an active lifestyle, my love of nature, and an interest in giving back to community. Seeing the sunlight glint on the snow, hearing the swish of skis in the track, breathing in the frosty air, I remember them, and I am thankful that our lives intersected.
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Betty Weiler planted a tree in memory of Garry Gibson
Sunday, November 7, 2021
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Such a long, full and meaningful life they both lived - I know you must miss them both, but do cherish the memories. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Betty Weiler lit a candle
Sunday, November 7, 2021
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This news has only just reached me and I both smiled and cried reading Garry's obituary. Garry was my first mentor back in the early 70s before anyone ever used the word "mentor". When I started at Camrose Lutheran College I thought I was destined to be a pharmacist, but then I enrolled in Outdoor Education as an elective and I soon found myself under the spell of the Gibber. With his encouragement and absolute belief in me, I just kept enrolling in Outdoor Ed courses and other PE courses with Garry, and went on to complete my undergraduate degree at U of A in Recreation Admin. Garry truly changed the direction of my life. I eventually completed a PhD and spent 30 years as an academic, mostly in Australia, and I know my approach and relationship with my students was so much better as a result of having Garry as my role model. Of course he also lit a passion in me for outdoor pursuits and gave me the skills and confidence to do much more than I ever thought I could. I am still an avid hiker, backpacker, canoeist, kayaker and camper thanks to those formative years at CLC. I am also so grateful to Dorothy for supporting Garry in what he loved to do. I hope you are both enjoying loads of sunshine, fresh air and beautiful rainbows up there!
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Keltie van Binsbergen posted a condolence
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Where to start? Gibber had a profound influence on my life. He taught me about humility and compassion and what real teamwork and community looked like. He was far more than a ski coach for me. When I was ordained in 1997 I asked him to be one of the people who laid hands on me because I felt that he was an example of the kind of faith and love I hoped to express as a minister. All of you in his family deserve a big thank you for sharing him so generously with the rest of us.
Keltie van Binsbergen (Camrose Vikings 1986-90)
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Dorothy Woodman planted a tree in memory of Garry Gibson
Friday, October 29, 2021
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I have such fond memories of him as a kind hearted man and an encouraging ski instructor. He was a gift to us all. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Tim Wozney posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
So sad. Gibber taught me more about myself and other people in my young adult life than any others besides my parents. Obsessed with outdoors is an understatement, but also obsessed with passing his knowledge along. Heaven gained a good man. Travel well, sir!
Tim Wozney
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Mark Hutchison posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
My sincere condolences to Gibber's family. I skied on Gibber's CLC teams in the early 80's and unlike most of my team-mates, I wasn't destined for the Nationals or Olympics. However, Gibber spent as much time coaching and encouraging me as he did with his future podium-winners. Gibber employed motivational techniques 20 years ahead of his time. Above all, he did it all with a smile on his face (always!) and a kind word to any and all who were fortunate enough to be in his presence. His legend only grew in his retirement as he proceeded to 'own' the renowned 'Birkie' ultra-distance race well into his 80's. Thanks for everything Gibber!
-Hutch
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Alan Fielding posted a condolence
Monday, October 25, 2021
Our deepest sympathy to Garry and Dorothy's family. I remember vividly encountering Garry on the cross country ski trail shortly after we moved to Camrose. The next thing we knew he had us enrolled in a ski instructor's course at the Blue Lake Centre! I see him in my memory striding along the countless kilometres of the Birkebeiner ski loppet. He had that boundless enthusiasm that just brought people along with him. He and Dorothy touched so many peoples' lives. They were a joy to know, and an example for all of us.
Rest in peace old friend.
Alan and Valérie Fielding
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Sibel (Kozak) Kaban posted a condolence
Monday, October 25, 2021
My condolences to Gibber's family. I am saddened to hear the news of someone that was my coach, a mentor, and one my favorite people from AUC. I was hesitant to try out for the canoe team as I had always tried out for basketball and never made it. I was ecstatic to see my name written on the team roster in pencil. I loved dinners made by Dorothy the night before a canoe race. Words of motivation, inspiration by Gibber and then that he believed in everyone on his teams. I learned how to Cross Country ski under Gibber as well and joined the team for 2 years. I am so happy Dr. Garry Gibson lived a long life, I will never forget him, and I wish I could have seen him again. I am a teacher now, and will carry forward how he changed me from the shy person I was when I began my journey at Augustana to an avid outdoor enthuasist with my family and outdoor club.
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The family of Garry Gibson uploaded a photo
Monday, October 25, 2021
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Brad Summers posted a condolence
Monday, October 25, 2021
My condolences to all the family. I never got to know Gibber very well but I did have the pleasure of working with Nancy for awhile and I heard many great stories from many people about Gibber and his influence on people and how he contributed so much to young people and to Outdoor Education in the province. He will be sorely missed. I am sorry for your loss.
Brad Summers
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Mark Lund posted a condolence
Monday, October 25, 2021
Our condolences to the family! Gibber was a long time friend, mentor and fellow coach on the ACAC Canoeing and Nordic Ski circuits. Gibber was always generous, gracious and thoughtful. He will be missed by so many that he helped through their college and university times, and beyond. Have wee dram of brandy Gibber and take care!
Mark & Lois Lund
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Storvik Sue posted a condolence
Saturday, October 23, 2021
My sincerest condolences to all of you, the family of my beloved Gibber!! I’ve had so many find memories of all of you and your mom and dad. I feel blessed to have had them in my life for so long. What a wonderful legacy he leaves in our community and well beyond. God bless his beautiful soul.
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Will Willier posted a condolence
Friday, October 22, 2021
My friend mentor and hero has entered heaven! Professor Gibson or ‘Gibber’ had more faith in me and my own Aboriginal culture than I did when I attended Augustana. He was always there with encouragement and a smile way before it was cool to have anything to do with Aboriginals or First Nations people. I felt his love and encouragement when in his presence. I have been a lawyer now for 27 years and he wrote my reference letter for me to be accepted onto U of C law school. For this letter I am forever grateful and in his debt… but in his word he ‘just called it like he seen it’. Whether leading outdoor education or singing Camrose College Arab rah songs he filled his life with passion and love. Everything mattered to him, indifference and malaise were his natural enemies. His wife and family were his pride and now he is back with Dorothy in Heaven as there could be no Heaven for Dorothy without him! The Creator truly blessed us all with his presence. Rest well my dear friend mentor and hero! Sincerely,Will Willier
