Tribute

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother Gus.

Georgia, his wife and best friend for 51 years, cared for him at home. He will be greatly missed by their family: daughter Maureen MacLennan and her husband Al Kendrick of Powell River, son David MacLennan of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, daughter Kathleen Osualdini and her husband Meach of Langley, grandson Tyler MacLennan and granddaughter Tori Thistlethwaite, also of Langley and stepgrandsons Cameron Osualdini of Nanaimo and Brett Osualdini of Fort St. John. His two sisters: Anne Tharpe and her husband Louie of Whitney, Texas and Alexis Teeple and her family in Prince George and Ottawa also survive him. His brother-in-law Al Teeple predeceased Gus in 2012.

Gus was born into the closely-knit Scottish community in Vancouver. He was a piper, a good athlete and student. He began at University of British Columbia at 17 and after graduating at 22, started teaching at Max Cameron Senior Secondary. He spent 29 years at Max Cameron where he was a respected and well-liked teacher and counsellor. During these years he had wonderful mentors and formed life-long friendships. He spent his last five years at Oceanview where he enjoyed the great staff before retiring at 56. He and Georgia had a wonderful retirement. They enjoyed travelling together.

Gus continued to play bridge and golf with good friends. He was a wonderful grandfather and some of his happiest times were with Tyler and Tori. He enjoyed 19 fulfilling years of collecting his pension.

During his years of teaching and his retirement, he was a tireless volunteer in the community. He umpired, refereed, coached and played every sport and lent his wonderful voice and sense of humour to many fundraising and sporting events. He was down-to-earth, funny and decent—the same man in the classroom as in the grocery store. He remembered every “hockey puck’” and “silly sausage” he taught.

[*]Gus had a very difficult eight-month struggle with cancer. A typical stoic Scot, he did not complain once. He appreciated every letter, email, card and prayer and all those wonderful friends who consistently called and visited. Those months were made easier for his family by that support and by the kindness of the Powell River Community Health palliative care nurses. The medical care in this town and province is amazing. Gus was well cared for by so many sympathetic staff here and in Vancouver. Special thanks to our wonderful family doctor and friend Bruce Hobson.

Gus did not want a service. At a future date, his family will host a private occasion for close friends. Gus was a member of “Terry’s Team,” and his family would be pleased if you made a donation in his memory to the Terry Fox Foundation or to any organization which supports cancer research.