Gary George Penrose
November 28th, 2018
It is with a very heavy heart that the family announces the passing of Gary George Penrose in Calgary on November 28, 2018. For seven years, Gary fought the biggest battle of his life and he was a warrior to the end, never complaining.
Gary was a graduate of York University and a member of the Canadian Association of Chartered Accountants. He spent the majority of his career in Toronto and later, Calgary, with TransCanada PipeLines (30 years), retiring as VP Corporate Taxation in 2002. He was active throughout his life giving time and energy to many organizations, professional and personal. Most prominent were Tax Executives Institute, Community Living Mississauga, Theatre Calgary and Mount Royal College.
We have so many people to thank for their care and respect: Dr Mark Vacy-Lyle; the Tom Baker Cancer Centre staff in the Wed MM Clinic, BMT Clinic, RT Day Room, in particular Dr Neri, Dr Balogh, Anna, Joanne, Marcia, Diana; Rena and Audrey, Bayshore Calgary; the staff at Southwood Hospice. Our apologies to anyone missed; you know who you are.
Special thanks are extended to Dr. Nizar Bahlis, Tom Baker Cancer Centre with whom Gary developed a relationship based on mutual admiration and respect.
Gary was a man of high moral character and integrity, generosity, kindness, humour. We will all miss his stories that he took such pleasure in telling around the dinner table, the pub, the cycling and hiking trails.
He will be forever missed by Linda, his wife of 52 years and his daughters, Courtney and Kendra, his sons-in-law Clifford Smith and Kyle Broome, and his beloved grandchildren Jade, Willow, Griffin and Rowan.
He was predeceased by his parents, Jean and George Penrose and his brother John, all of Toronto.
At Gary's request, there will be no funeral or formal service. He wanted family and friends available, to join together for a party on our Kelowna deck on Saturday, July 20, 2019 to share a beer or wine and a good time. We will remember him as he lived, with fun and laughter.
His was a life well-lived.
We have been asked about donating in Gary's name. He would have liked these directed to Dr Bahlis/Dr Neri's lab at U of C through southernalbertamyeloma.ca (registered charity) or, of course any charity that you choose.
Messages:
Dear Linda We are so sorry for your loss of Gary. A difficult time after such a long life together. We always enjoyed Gary's company for the many interesting stories and experiences he had to tell. He certainly was easy and pleasant to be around. It was fun being in his company Fondly Murray and Penny
Linda and family, I was saddened to read Gary’s obituary in the Globe. I met Gary in the 1980s when we both worked at TransCanada. Gary had a wonderful sense of humour; he gave generously of his time and was a capable and friendly person. I know Gary will be missed by many, my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Linda and family, our sincere condolences with respect to Gary's passing. Gary was one of our heroes. We had so many good times with you and Gary. We think often of the trips we made with the two of you. Gary always had good ideas to enhance the enjoyment of whatever experience we had at the moment. Gary and Glenn worked wonderfully together on so very many projects In situations that could have been thorny but instead their efforts resulted in mutual admiration and a great friendship. Both of their employers benefited greatly from their great working relationship and their strong friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gary, you and your family.
Linda, Mary and I were saddened to hear of Gary's passing in late November. I guess I know now why he hadn't contacted me these past couple of years. I enjoyed working and traveling with Gary on a number of projects whilst at TransCanada. Our sincere condolences to you and Kendra & Courtney.
Linda: I'm saddened to hear of your loss. This has been a most difficult time for you & your family, & I trust that fond memories of life together will sustain you in your grief. Gary was a wonderful friend & some of my best memories are of us discussing just about anything political as we slogged our way up the fairways of Pinebrook G. & C. C. He was a gentlemen & comrade who will be deeply missed.
Dear Linda, It is with great sorrow we learned of the passing of your beloved Gary. We send our deepest condolences to yourself, Courtney, Kendra, Cliff, Kyle and your precious grandchildren. Gary was an exceptional person, extremely capable, very successful, generous, loyal, humorous, and a wonderful friend! I reflect on all the great times we shared with you both. Gatherings at your home and dinners at charitable hockey events hosted by the Penrose’s. Interestingly, this past Grey Cup, I reminded Jim of the party you had in your Mayfair home. The game was being played in Edmonton and Shania Twain was the half time entertainment! I also recall a birthday party Gary hosted for you at the Pine Brook Golf & Country Club and meeting Kyle for the first time. You both loved to travel and Gary encouraged Jim and me to join you on several of your cycling trips. I wish we had. I have always enjoyed your company Linda and admire you for your many interests, hobbies and independence. Gary will be comforted in knowing that you will carry on and lead a full life because you too are an exceptional person. If it works for you when you are in Calgary please contact me. I would enjoy getting together over lunch. Love to all the family, Jane & Jim jmusson@shaw.ca. Cell 403 860-4506
Dear Linda and family, I was so sorry to read about Gary's passing. I knew that George held him in high regard at Trans Canada. George as you may or may not know passed away on November 30th only two days after Gary's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and I'm sure you will be celebrating his life on July 20th with lots of laughter and great memories! Sheila Watson
Linda, We just saw Gary’s obituary in the Globe. Our condolences. Jim and Diane 250 571-1069
Linda and family, I was so sorry to learn of Gary's passing. I have great memories of Gary from TransCanada - he was a great guy to work with - smart and funny, with a very quick sense of humour. He was very proud of his family and I am sure he was a wonderful grandfather to his little grandchildren. I will not be able to attend the party on your Kelowna deck in July but I know you will have a great event with lots of laughs, a great tribute to Gary. My sincere condolences to you all. Fondly, Alison Love
Hello Linda, Courtney and Kendra our sincere and heart felt condolences for your loss on the passing of Gary. I have fond memories of working for him most of my working career in Toronto and Calgary. He was a great boss and friend and will be missed. Would love to come to Kelowna on 20th July, could you please e-mail me your address.
Linda, Courtney, Kendra, and family; Doug and I are so very sorry for your loss and hope that you are able to take comfort in knowing that Gary left such a remarkable legacy that will live on. It truly was our honor to have known him. All our love and condolences to you all xo
My condolences to Linda and family. I enjoyed working with Gary at TransCanada for a number of years. He lived life to the fullest but was always considerate of his associates.
Linda, David and I are sad to hear of Gary's passing. David has fond memories of Gary as he helped to get David his early retirement during the merger with Nova. Our thoughts are with you and the girls especially at this difficult time. May the good memories of your time together bring smiles to your mind as you remember him. Sincerly, David and Judy Wentzell
Linda, so sorry about your loss, I knew Gary had a very rough year but he lived his life well and will be missed by many. Dianne was kind enough to keep me apprised. Margo Randles, Chair of the Theatre Calgary Board shared this with all the current and past members of the Board. Gary was a huge help during the troubled years at the theatre. I very much appreciated his support.
I enjoyed working with Gary on Theatre Calgary Board. I was respectful of his hard work judgement and commitment to this community treasure. His influence is missed. N Schachar
Linda, we are very sorry for your loss. Gary earned the respect and friendship of a great many people. John had been fortunate to have known Gary for more than 30 years through the Tax Executives Institute in Toronto and then in Calgary.