March 26, 1954 - May 31, 2021
It is with heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of an incredible man, Gordon Blair Tanner aged 67, in Chilliwack, British Columbia on May 31st, 2021.
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Carolyn(MacDonald) and children; Katherine(Kevin), Matthew(Kyla) and grand-daughter Desiree(Colin).
He is also survived by his siblings Valerie(Frank Mackley), Fraser(Janet), Jimmy(Colleen) as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents Archibald Fraser Tanner and Eunice Winnifred Tanner(Massiah) and sister Dianne Dowe.
Gordon was born on March 26th, 1954 in Sydney, Nova Scotia(Cape Breton Island). We are very proud of Gordon and his many accomplishments throughout his life. Incredibly he had over 44 years of public service, 41 of which were spent with the Federal Government and 38 with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) with a real focus on education.
His career began in 1976 as a School Teacher/Principal in Little Grand Rapids, Manitoba. His career with CSC took him from coast to coast starting in 1981 at Dorchester Institution, New Brunswick and finishing at Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford, British Columbia in 2020.
Gordon had an appreciation for music, playing guitar, and literature, especially Shakespeare. He was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for nature, kayaking on Cultus Lake and fishing along the Fraser and Vedder Rivers.
Gordon loved sports as a lifelong Blue Jays fan and never seemed to miss a Canucks game.
Gordon passed away after a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. It took so much from him, but what it never took was his marvelous sense of humour or his devotion and love for the Lord as well as his family.
He truly was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coworker and dear friend to so many. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to know them and an entire life to forget them. He will forever be missed, we love you Gord.
No immediate memorial service will be held due to Covid-19. We ask that in lieu of sending flowers people make donations in support of Pancreatic Cancer through the Canadian Cancer Society.