Gary (Gus) Ernest Gillespie
March 28, 1940 – June 22, 2023

Our wonderful Gus passed away surrounded by family, at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife Barbara (Backus) and his devoted sons and daughters-in law, Daniel and Rachel and Adam and Gillian. He was the proud and much-loved Grandpa of James, Leah and Claire, who will all miss his cuddles and stories. He also leaves behind his sister Mary Zadow (predeceased by Larry), sister-in-law Gail Clark (predeceased by Bob Backus), Dave and Thom Pardoe and a wide circle of extended family and friends. A special thanks to his oncologist Dr. Lisa Hicks, for her compassionate care.

Gus was born to Stanley Gillespie and Helen (VanBridger) in Winchester, Ontario. At age six, his family moved to Morrisburg where he spent an idyllic childhood. Upon leaving high school Gus enrolled at Royal Military College and spent his first two years at Royal Roads in Victoria, B.C., then his second part at Royal Military College in Kingston, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. In the summers, he attended pilot training at Cold Lake, Alberta. He spent four years with 425 Squadron at CFB Bagotville, Quebec as a front-line fighter pilot with the RCAF, protecting Canadian airspace as part of the RCAF’s NORAD mission, then four years as an instructor at the Aerospace Systems School in Winnipeg. Upon leaving the Air Force he enrolled in the MBA program at McMaster University where he was president of his graduating class.
He had a long and fulfilling career in management consulting, first with Woods Gordon & Co, then with Ernst & Young and finally his own successful consulting business. During his career he earned his P.Eng., FCMC, sat on several boards of directors and served a term as President of the Ontario Institute of Management Consultants. He maintained close friendships with many colleagues over the years.

Gus was an avid sailor and racer who enjoyed almost fifty years as a member of Ashbridge’s Bay Yacht Club. He rarely missed his weekly golf foursome with friends and preferred to walk the course, rarely using a cart. He skied with the “Love to Ski” club for many years, travelling all over North America and Europe on ski trips. Gus loved flying his Cessna 177RG for business and fun. He and Barb travelled all over the world for many years making new friends along the way.

In the end, Gus expressed contentment that he had led a great life full of love, fun, laughter and adventures. Isn’t that what we all want?

Service to be held at 10:30 a.m. on July 8, 2023 at Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre at 625 Birchmount Road, Toronto. Gus’s remains will be interred at the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated.