Guntis Reass Obrascovs

He was 71 years old.

His was a quiet and peaceful death, it appeared – fitting for the gentle and unassuming man he was. His brave, half-century journey with Type 1 Diabetes had taken a toll, and his heart just gave out sometime in the night.

Still, even with a significant decline in his health over the last several months, it came as sorrowful shock. Gunner lived his life with a deep abiding passion, toughness, and self-giving to his family, friends, and former colleagues – a kind, intelligent, and healing presence in the world, especially in his work as an athletic therapist for more than 40 years.

Guntis was born in Toronto on Nov. 27, 1953 to Velta (nee Barons, d. 2015) and Leonids Obrascovs (d. 2002). His parents fled Riga, Latvia, at the end of the Second World War. They spent some years in displaced persons camps, moved to Toronto where they met, married, and settled on Emerson Avenue, near Bloor Street, in Toronto. Guntis admired how his parents tackled the “90 degree” changes in their lives, influencing his own commitment to face challenges with a positive attitude. He showed that, especially in the last several months, and was also devoted to his parents’ care, visiting them frequently as they aged.

He attended Pauline Elementary and Bloor Collegiate, where he made lifelong friends and nurtured two enduring passions: music and sports. “Oboe” Obrascovs, as he was dubbed in his yearbook, was in the school band and as an adult listened to a range of music. He bought tickets last fall for his whole family to attend an Alan Doyle concert this March. “Gunner” also played on and managed (sometimes at the same time) numerous school sports teams, eventually finding a life direction in that field.

Not a natural athlete, he stayed involved as a student trainer at the University Toronto, especially with the Blues Football team. But he became ill and dropped out of school in his first year, eventually being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. He still worked with the Blues teams, even for the next three year when he switched to studies in athletic therapy at Sheridan College in Oakville. He graduated near the top of his class and eventually became a certified athletic therapist and a respected member and leader in C.A.T.A., the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association.

In 1979, he was hired as head athletic therapist at the University of Ottawa. He helped out the visiting Toronto Blues women’s basketball team at a Christmas tournament that year and taped the ankle of a rookie guard, Greta DeLonghi. Five years later, he asked her out. Gunner always described himself as a patient man. They were married at St. Basil’s Church in Toronto May 4, 1985, in a union that lasted nearly 40 years until his death.

The week after his honeymoon, Gunner left on one of his international trips with national teams, most notably the women’s volleyball and men’s basketball programs, and often at major Games. He was so glad to see his volleyball friends at a hall of fame event last June in Ottawa. He served the men’s basketball team, coached by the late Jack Donohue, at two Summer Olympics, in Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988, but he counted as a highlight the team’s gold medal and win over a stacked American team at the 1983 World Student Games in Edmonton. Going to mass all over the world on these trips with Jack and his assistant Steve Konchalski helped inspire Gunner to convert to Catholicism before he married Greta. Gunner still kept a plaque on his desk with a photo of Jack on it and his words: “Dream big dreams.”

Gunner accepted a job as head athletic therapist at the University of Guelph in 1989, in part to move back to southern Ontario to be closer to his parents. It allowed him to continue a string of more than 40 years of working in university football. Gunner was a gifted, caring and committed healer for countless student athletes. He said their energy kept him young. He also kept a number of NHL officials who lived in Guelph on the ice with his treatments. Humble and community minded, he helped out at Ray Scapinello’s annual charity ball hockey tournament held on campus, driving a Gator around and collecting garbage. Dedicated to professional development, he was always reading, attending conferences, and learning online, even after he retired. He taught and mentored grateful student trainers and co-op students and forged great friendships with members of the athletics department there until he retired in 2019, reluctantly after a period of illness.

The athletic director who recruited Gunner to U of G, Dave Copp, once referred to him as “our rock.” Gunner was his family’s “rock” as well. He and Greta welcomed sons Leon in 1995 and Felix in 1997. A kind, proud, and loving father, he opened up his world to them, brought them to the clinic and football stadium, tussled with them in the wrestling gym, shared his love of Marx brothers films, and helped coached Felix’s baseball teams. He was wearing a cozy Grey Cup sweatshirt Leon gave him when he died. He also was a sweet and supportive spouse to Greta throughout their marriage. After he retired he took up cooking more seriously and made meals most evenings when she came home from work, including the evening before he died. He – and his masterful mashed potatoes – will be deeply missed.

Guntis is survived, mourned, and missed by Greta and their beloved sons – his “blessings” – Leon Obrascovs (Ana C. Ulloa Baez) and Felix Obrascovs (Bree King), along with the family’s adored cavapoo, Jace. And by his extended family as well: his younger sister Dace Obrascovs, his cousins Linda Papania (Gus), Rita Baronins, and Velta Berzins Bush (Doug) and their families; his mother-in-law Loretta DeLonghi; his sisters- and brothers-in-law Joanne Keast (Spencer), Roma DeLonghi Breese (Peter), Joe DeLonghi (Jina Kim), and and Kim DeLonghi (Dean Chynoweth); his nieces and nephews, Ethan DeLonghi (Kayla), Gavin DeLonghi, and Tatum DeLonghi (Sam), and Nick Keast (Tara, children Spencer, Layla), Ashleigh Botha (Werner, children Lorna, Thea, and Edie), and Bryson Keast, and Natasha Aquin (Adrian, daughter Raen). It was hard to go to a family gathering without Gunner stretching out someone’s back or mobilizing their shoulder or just listening.

Arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, 1099 Gordon St, Guelph.

Guntis and his family were long-time parishioners at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Church in Guelph, and the visitation and funeral mass will both take place there. The visitation will be on Sunday, Jan. 26 between 1:30-5 p.m. Vigil prayers will be at 3 p.m, followed by a reception at 5 p.m.

The funeral mass begins at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, followed by interment at Marymount Cemetery, Guelph and a time of food and drink and socializing at Craft Kitchen & Ale House (formerly Gryph’s Sports Lounge) in the University of Guelph hockey arena, second floor, across from the athletic centre where Guntis spent most of his working life.

The funeral mass will be livestreamed and recorded, accessed through the Gilbert MacIntyre website.

Guntis always said he was blessed to have been born at a time when diabetes was a manageable condition – and he managed his with tremendous dignity and perseverance. He and his family were always grateful for the compassionate care of many health care professionals over the course of his life and in the Guelph community. Special thanks to kidney specialist Dr. Obed Friedman for his vigilance over more than a decade and the team at the Clayton Community Dialysis Unit in Guelph, especially nurse Christine, who shepherded Gunner through the process of providing peritoneal dialysis at home over the last several months when his kidneys began to fail.

In lieu of flowers, and as an expression of sympathy, please consider a donation to Diabetes Canada, the Kidney Foundation of Canada, the Clayton Community Dialysis Unit in Guelph (Grand River Hospital), St. Mary’s General Hospital, Guelph General Hospital, or the BGC (Boys and Girls Club) Dovercourt Club, where he spent his summers as a boy, reading and playing.

Donations and condolences can be made online at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com

Gunner nearly died ten years ago after a serious bout of pneumonia, sepsis, and organ failure, but thanks to the teams at Guelph General and St. Mary’s General Hospital in Kitchener he recovered and was able to see his sons, teenagers at the time, grow into the thoughtful, caring and wonderful young men that they are. He remembered little of that 10-week ordeal but afterward he was able to read the many encouraging emails and messages Greta received from family, friends and colleagues near and far, including one from the mother of a former student who attested to the influence he had on her son. A U of G student trainer award was also renamed in his honour. Gunner was touched and knew, if not entirely grasped, that he was very much loved and appreciated. His family now thanks all who once again are offering condolences, meals, and memories that attest to his wonderful presence in their lives and this world.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4.6-8)