Gordon Harry Firkus

in Langley. He was born on May 4, 1941, in Wainright Alberta to parents Ambrose

and Maria Firkus (Rawluk). He was a devoted husband to Winnifred and caring

father to his three sons Ray, Leonard and Paul.

Dad was the youngest of six children, spending most of his childhood growing up on

the homestead farm in Jarrow Alberta. However, being youngest never held him

back from his ambitions, pursuit of an impactful life or the devotion and

compassion he showed toward others.

Dad moved from Alberta to BC when he was still in high school where his parents

settled in Chilliwack. While showing talent in the arts, Dad pursued a love of

aviation through obtaining his Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license through

Pacific Vocational Institute (now BCIT). Shortly thereafter, his entrepreneurial drive led him to partner with Jim

Evans and open Kent Aviation where Dad was both a mechanic and commercial pilot. Dad’s passion for fixing

aircraft led him to founding Firkus Aircraft Servicing at Chilliwack Airport after they sold Kent Aviation not many

years later. As the anchor shop at the airport, Dad was the go-to person for all things mechanical. After successfully

leading the business for over 40 years, Dad retired in 2007 and passed the torch on to his oldest son Ray who

continues the legacy of Firkus Aircraft in Chilliwack.

Dad was a huge family man and taught through his actions what it meant to be a devoted husband and loving

father.

Dad’s passion for aviation and involvement in the Chilliwack Flying Club led him to his other great love in life, his

future wife Winnifred. Dad and Mom wed in 1964 and were married 46 years before she passed. Throughout that

time and to the very end when Mom’s mind and body were failing, he demonstrated love, compassion, patience,

empathy, support and strength to a super-human level but in Dad’s signature understated way.

As a father, Dad was very active in the Scouting movement for more than a decade when all three of us boys were

of age. From taking us on winter camps in the snow to transporting our entire troop/company to a national

jamboree on the bus, he taught service to others, respect for the outdoors and the values of being trustworthy,

loyal, friendly and kind. He built an above-ground swimming pool for us kids for countless hours of summer fun in

the backyard. Dad and friends converted a greyhound bus into the legendary Bus-RV we used for numerous roadtrip vacations all over North America. He also took us on many fly-in hunting and fishing trips where we camped in

the raw wilderness. His appreciation for “living” helped us experience the world the way it should be lived.

Dad also enjoyed many interests from his skills in billiards to his talent at curling, earning many trophies over the

years. His passion for cards showed up around both the cribbage board and the blackjack table. He loved his

annual “pilgrimage” with the guys down to the Reno Air Races (once again in the bus!) every fall. He was not one

for material possessions but rather focusing on things that really mattered to creating a quality life.

He is survived by his siblings Keith and Ron, three sons Ray, Leonard and Paul, grandchildren Kelsey, Kyle F., Kyle S.,

Don, Jason, Lauren, Caleb, Delaney, Lachlan, several great-grandchildren, as well as many extended family

members and friends who will miss him dearly. For such a small, understated man – he left a huge positive impact

on this world and all those that got to know and love him.

A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday January 24, 2026, at Henderson’s Funeral

Home in Chilliwack. A reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the Parkinsons Society or the Cancer Society.