Obituary for Bill Gardner
Bill Gardner passed away at Hollyburn House, West Vancouver, B.C. at the age of 100. He was pre-deceased by his wife Christine Gardner on January 6, 2023, his daughter, Patricia Syme Gardner (John Adames), and sister Rennie Gardner Thomson. He is survived by daughter Sylvia Gardner (Glen Tugman), son Hamish Gardner (Susan) and daughter Christine Banham, and grandchildren, Christopher Tugman, James Tugman, Andrew Gardner, Kayla Gardner, Caroline Banham and Alex Banham.
Bill will be remembered as a considerate, insightful, determined and charming man. He was a proud father and grandfather, formidable bridge player and a loyal friend. He lived independently to his last day with a sharp wit and clear focus, managing every aspect of his life, including writing his own obituary which we share here:
Bill Gardner died on October 17, 2023. He enjoyed a long and happy life with his loving wife, Christine, and their children, Pat, who died in 1993, Sylvia, Hamish and Kirsty. Bill was born in Glasgow in 1923, spent his early childhood in India, was schooled in Scotland, graduating from Paisley Grammar School before serving five years in the R.N.V.R. Fleet Air Arm, Squadron 846.
In 1951, he graduated in medicine from Glasgow University and the following year emigrated to Vancouver, as Resident in Paediatrics at St. Paul’s Hospital before setting up a medical family practice in Burnaby.
In 1960 he entered into post-graduate studies and four years later opened a psychiatric practice in North Vancouver. He initiated the establishment of the Psychiatric Day Care Programme at Lions Gate Hospital.
After 18 years in North Vancouver he moved to Vernon, B.C. where he was active in Geriatric Psychiatric services. In 1987 he returned to the coast, to Community Psychiatry at Burnaby Psychiatry Services until he retired in 2000. Subsequently, he was actively engaged in doing nothing, with no sense of responsibility for the free offers of wisdom, opinion and advice he gave to anyone prepared to listen. A most fortunate and happy man.
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The Gardner family wishes to acknowledge and thank the management, staff and nurses at Hollyburn House who provided Bill a warm, caring home and engaging community.
Bill visited the West Vancouver Memorial Library weekly, always looking to explore new ideas and to understand our rapidly changing world. Please consider a donation in Bill’s memory to West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation to support the Library’s mission to provide free access to knowledge in all its forms.
https://westvanlibrary.ca/foundation/ways-to-give/
Funeral arrangements through McKenzie Funeral Services. Private family ceremony. To write a condolence to the family, please visit https://www.mckenziefuneralservice.com/.
A celebration to remember Bill will take place later this Fall.
Bill will be remembered as a considerate, insightful, determined and charming man. He was a proud father and grandfather, formidable bridge player and a loyal friend. He lived independently to his last day with a sharp wit and clear focus, managing every aspect of his life, including writing his own obituary which we share here:
Bill Gardner died on October 17, 2023. He enjoyed a long and happy life with his loving wife, Christine, and their children, Pat, who died in 1993, Sylvia, Hamish and Kirsty. Bill was born in Glasgow in 1923, spent his early childhood in India, was schooled in Scotland, graduating from Paisley Grammar School before serving five years in the R.N.V.R. Fleet Air Arm, Squadron 846.
In 1951, he graduated in medicine from Glasgow University and the following year emigrated to Vancouver, as Resident in Paediatrics at St. Paul’s Hospital before setting up a medical family practice in Burnaby.
In 1960 he entered into post-graduate studies and four years later opened a psychiatric practice in North Vancouver. He initiated the establishment of the Psychiatric Day Care Programme at Lions Gate Hospital.
After 18 years in North Vancouver he moved to Vernon, B.C. where he was active in Geriatric Psychiatric services. In 1987 he returned to the coast, to Community Psychiatry at Burnaby Psychiatry Services until he retired in 2000. Subsequently, he was actively engaged in doing nothing, with no sense of responsibility for the free offers of wisdom, opinion and advice he gave to anyone prepared to listen. A most fortunate and happy man.
The Gardner family wishes to acknowledge and thank the management, staff and nurses at Hollyburn House who provided Bill a warm, caring home and engaging community.
Bill visited the West Vancouver Memorial Library weekly, always looking to explore new ideas and to understand our rapidly changing world. Please consider a donation in Bill’s memory to West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation to support the Library’s mission to provide free access to knowledge in all its forms.
https://westvanlibrary.ca/foundation/ways-to-give/
Funeral arrangements through McKenzie Funeral Services. Private family ceremony. To write a condolence to the family, please visit https://www.mckenziefuneralservice.com/.
A celebration to remember Bill will take place later this Fall.