Recognitions Village People The Fondest Remembrances
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Thank You Dear Village A Thank You to Lions Bay: Sometimes we tend to take our Village and it’s uniqueness for granted. My family and I were on the receiving end of the care and concern our residents brought forth on March 30th at Glenn’s sudden passing. From our wonderful paramedics and volunteer firemen in attendance at our home, from our neighbors and friends who brought comfort – to the overwhelming number of Lions Bay residents at Glenn’s “Fond Farewell”, our family sends sincere thanks. For cards, letters, flowers and donations to the Scholarship Foundation and even the hugs, we thank you all so very much. It does take a Village to show such concern and support during happy and sad times and we indeed have such a Village. Annmarie and the Gates family
Milk for your Tea The Library Ladies miss Glenn! Everyone could count on a cup of tea (with milk which he brought) Wednesday morning at the Library. It was kind of an adult story time. Knowing that Glenn was at the Library was reassuring and something to look forward to. One little boy was so happy to see Glenn there, he ran up to him with a big hug! We were all sad when Glenn's health prevented him from working with us. Could that be when the Library attendance and membership began their decline?
Many Blessings I was blessed to have Glenn enter my life when I moved to Brunswick Beach about 7 years ago. Glenn is such a part of Brunswick, that he is thought of as the unofficial mayor of the beach. One couldn't miss his spirit when visiting the beach or his loud and booming voice! I experienced great joy and love when in his presence, he teased me relentlessly and I teased him right back. Glenn was always there for a chat and discussion on life, his vast experiences of his life, left many a story for him to share. Like a father to me, Glenn would admonish me if my skirt was too short, or if I stayed out too late, he loved to worry about me and my well being and I loved knowing he cared. Yes, there is something missing in the physical world as Glenn has moved onto his next adventure but I still feel his spirit, so full of love, joy and laughter in my heart! I give thanks for having shared so many wonderful times with you and Annmarie, I am truly blessed to have shared parts of my life with you! Anyone who ever had the good fortune to meet Glenn, knows of what I speak. Happy journeying Glenn!
A Tribute to Glenn We all loved Glenn Gates so much! When I heard that he had passed away, I was so deeply saddened, I felt that a piece of Lions Bay had gone. Glenn’s commanding voice coupled with his wonderful smile could always be counted on for lighting up a room. Glenn lent his intellect to the community in so many ways, including the Lions Bay Community Scholarship Foundation where we both served. Glenn would ensure that his ideas were brought forward, with the cautious wording of a gentleman, respecting all gathered, freely presenting his ideas in a manner that lent to serious consideration. Glenn’s warmth and love of people shone through in everything that he did. His deep love for his beautiful and bright wife, Annmarie, was ever present whether Annmarie was attending the occasion or not, his eyes shone with love whenever she was near or mentioned in conversation. I first met Glenn, shortly after moving to Lions Bay in 1974. He was then a parttime resident at Brunswick in their summer home, which, following Glenn’s retirement as a lawyer in New Westminster where he was raised, became their permanent waterfront residence. Michael and I had got to know a couple from Brunswick in pre-natal classes in 1974 and our families became fast friends. Michael and I spent many a social occasion at Brunswick in those early years. Glenn was then, who he was now…a wonderful human being, interested in getting to know you and querying to discover whether he might know any family members ~ he indeed did. About, 13 years ago, I was taking my mother, now deceased, to tour Brunswick in order to have her love it and possibly move to there. Prior to touring my mum, I prepped her by describing how friendly Brunswick is, painting a picture of a very special micro-Village with each neighbour looking out for each other, while celebrating life through community-wide socials. On the touring day, we crossed the railway tracks and turned right, driving slowly, as one must in Brunswick. I could see Glenn in his garden ahead and as he turned to see, not me, but a ‘strange’ car, he gently lifted his garden clippers and walked to the centre of the road slowly in a friendly manner, to stop the vehicle and see who was inside and what they were up to. I loved this about Glenn ~ his curiosity and watchfulness! Following a lovely chat, we continued on our way. This behaviour year over year, decade over decade, along with his depth of caring and love of both people and life, had earned Glenn the well deserved title as the ‘Mayor of Brunswick’. Annmarie, and family, please know how deeply we all loved Glenn. We join you in missing this amazingly special human being. With Love ~ Brenda
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Glenn Gates (1927-2011) Glenn was born in New Westminster, BC on January 4, 1927. He attended schools there until he decided to study Law at UBC and thereafter, he enjoyed a highly successful career in his chosen field. During that time he impressed fellow members of the Law Society with his activities....in and out of court! Their collection of amusing stories could fill a book and provide a good read to anyone who knew him! Glenn began spending time in Brunswick Beach in 1960 when his father, Frank Gates Sr. moved into a home here. Glenn loved the area and eventually he and his wife, Annmarie, purchased their property and built a cottage on it. They spent many holidays and summers at this cottage and participated in all of the Brunswick Beach community activities. This included the Annual Community Picnics as well as the general water and road maintenance. In 1991 they decided to move to Brunswick Beach full time so they renovated their cottage turning it into the house which they moved into full time in 1992. I arrived at Brunswick Beach in the summer of 1991 and remember being interviewed immediately by the man from the North end of the beach with the “Booming Voice”! He left with my life story imbedded in his memory bank but I barely knew his name! I did, however, sense that it was important to deliver the facts straight or I would be hearing about it in future!
We began renovations on our summer cottage in hopes of enjoying a heated home by Fall. During construction, we had daily visits from Glenn to inspect each part of the day’s work. Eventually, he discovered that we had a stash of fine Scotches that we didn’t enjoy. The collection included some fine labels since business associates kept giving them to us as corporate Christmas gifts. Glenn finally concluded that the quantity was of enough volume that he could share this knowledge of the “Dusty Scotch” with his log collecting buddy, Ray Grant. From then on we lost a few hours of labour time but we spent more than a few hours on the porch listening to their stories of early days here at Brunswick Beach! Eventually a few other Brunswickians would wander by on their daily walk and pull up a deck chair to join in the stories. The embellishments may have grown over the years but the photos in Noreen Copps photo albums proved most stories to be true. Glenn was always certain to check their facts and upon occasion roll his eyes in disbelief!
Most of my visitors over the past 20 years have met Glenn and, of course, they were immediately asked who they were and why they were here! He paid close attention to their stories and often offered them sage legal advice from his lawn chair...stationed where he could keep an eye out for anyone passing by! Glenn served on many Boards and committees during his time including The Royal Columbian Hospital Board, St. Mary’s Hospital Board, the Lions Bay Library and Lions Bay Scholarship groups. He was reluctant to run for Council but more often than not, he was sought after for approval of actions by Council members and was generally referred to as the Mayor of Brunswick Beach. WE MISS GLENN!!
In So Many Ways... I will miss seeing Glen sitting in the library pointing me to the books he read and knowing I too will love them. I will miss the commanding voice discussing the Village political comings and goings at the post office. I will miss the well delivered opening phrase for a chat...."Tell me". I will miss his ever present laugh charm and dry wit. Yes I will miss him. But, I will never forget him. With fondness and love,
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Sunday Mornings My earliest affectionate recollection of Glenn dates back many years when my husband was in the process of building our summer home in our little patch of paradise. We spent very little time enjoying our surroundings in our desire to have this project finished and to enjoy our future summers. We would be busy and suddenly we would hear, on Sunday morning, a booming voice coming towards us and my husband would say, "Here comes the preacher on his weekly rounds". We would then down tools and have a lively conversation with this lovable character. He will be sadly missed, our great friend at Brunswick Beach.
GoodBye Angel Dust Our community has lost a very special and unique friend. I had the pleasure interviewing Glenn and Annmarie Gates.The Lions Bay Historical Society is that much richer in having the wonderful and colourful stories told by the Gates. Glenn and Annmarie supported the famous and short lived "Pub Nights in Horseshoe Bay". What fun we had riding on the bus! The stories were always entertaining, filled with laughter. Where I miss Glenn the most is at the Library. It was never dull with him there, always flirting, forever curiously interested. He could be so engaged in talk, I at times forgot the purpose of my visit. No matter who sits on that special library chair, Glenn still smiles at me. I can hear his booming voice, while he whips up his heavenly Angel Dust. Rest in Peace dear Glenn. We miss you!!! Sincerely,
Who Is Your Dad? When I first met Glenn in 1997 he made a distinctly wonderful impression on me. He was wearing his Willie Nelson headband, cutoffs with a rope belt, no shirt (sporting a lovely tan), work boots and wooly socks. He was also wielding a chain saw! He gave me that rakish grin that we have all come to know and love: interested, not predatory. And of course no “first” meeting with Glenn would have been complete without the requisite question, “So, who is your father and where is he from?” I hadn’t been asked that question in a long time, it being a phrase commonly heard when I was growing up in New Brunswick! When meeting a new person there, the chances of knowing each other’s family was pretty good. And of course with Glenn’s heritage coming from PEI, it would be a natural question to ask! There are many attributes and accolades associated with our dear Glenn. And you can add to that list the role of Communications facilitator. As a member of our Editorial Advisory Board, Glenn was a delight to work with on every edition of the Lions Bay Community News. His grounded approach, his warmth and input will be greatly missed at our editorial meetings. He was such a dear man, so much larger than life, always concerned and caring to others. I’m sure my sentiments are echoed many times over in our community and beyond, Glenn’s departure from us leaves more than a little sad.
In Memory of Glenn It is difficult to find adequate words to do proper justice to my big-hearted, 'late-in-life' buddy from Brunswick Beach. I was pottering in my garden in the late morning on the day of his passing. I heard the mournful wail of the ambulance siren in the distance: "Glenn, do I hear the Owl call Your Name?". And so it was - time for the great heart to take his rest. Glenn and Annmarie's home was always a welcoming and warm place, where on my frequent visits their time was given to my time. We would converse widely about local and world topics over legendary 'tea & cookies'. Glenn was a founding member and pillar of our Lions Bay Community Scholarship Foundation, and Annmarie was a pillar unto Glenn. In all our dealings Glenn's motif was one of empathy, compassion and kindness - sometimes gently critical, but always "a man without malice". We can cherish with gratitude our memories of having him in our lives. "Write of me as one who loves his fellow man" (from the poem 'Abou Ben Adhem') - my memory of Glenn.
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