5 years my Love... 5 long years.

Not always shall this parting be,
— For though I travel slow,
I, too, may claim eternity
— And find the way you go;
And so I do my task and wait
The opening of the outer gate.


Dearest Jackie and family
Was thinking of Laurie today while planning to go to the Fairy Creek blockade and found this sad news of his passing. He was such an amazing mentor for me and so many in protecting the Carmanaah Walbran on the ground with the western canada committee and in environmental policy and politics both in Ottawa and on the island. His memory and spirit lives on the frontline. Xoxo 

Jackie, so sorry for your loss.  May your pain ease and your memories never fade.  Although we only met for such a short time in Australia when you stayed at the block at Woodside Beach, we appreciated what beautiful people both you and Laurie were. kindest regards Margaret and James

We were greatly saddened by the news of Laurie's passing.  He was a great source of happiness, kindness and humour to all.  His dedication to making the world a better place was unquestioned, and unyielding.  And his love for his bride, Jackie, was always on display and never in doubt.

And he was one heck of a broomball player! Who knew?

Dear Jackie,
Received your card this morning and was devastated to hear of Laurie’s passing last year. I will always remember the fun times we shared in Melbourne, firstly when he stayed with us in the 70’s and later when you both came to visit a few years back. His passion and sense of purpose were amongst his greatest strengths and I am sure you must miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. 
Fay and Gaz. 

My wife, Edith, and I send you, Jackie, our deepest condolences. One of my personal regrets is not having spent more time with you and Laurie. I loved and admired that man for his dedication, sincerity, and humour. One of my fondest memories was tracking down the two of you in Toronto. All my memories spending time with the two of you are amongst the best of my memories. There is so much I want to say about Laurie but others have already eloquently expressed my feelings. Jackie, please email me when you have a moment to let me know when Edith and I can pop by for a visit with you. Unfortunately, on April 7 we must attend our granddaughter's wedding in Port Alberni. Our hearts and love are with you.


Laurie was one of those rare friends for life that we are lucky enough to find along our road that makes the journey so much more enjoyable and meaningful.  At university back in the '70's, no matter how stressed or down or agitated I was, if Laurie was working at the Campus Centre he could cheer me up or calm me down.  A truly gentle soul with a flash of great mischief behind those eyes, he would express himself with the tiniest of snickers all the way to great howling guffaws!  No matter what was happening in school, there was always time for some Ultimate Frisbee anywhere else there was a plot of grass.  Later on, when we were both "responsible individuals" with "important jobs" ... he working for an NDP member of parliament, me working for TD Bank ... whenever I was in Ottawa for business, we would arrange to sneak out and play frisbee behind the parliament buildings with Jackie an avid accomplice.  Although our beliefs were on the total opposite of the political spectrum, and we would share many enthusiastic debates about politics, I always knew that he respected what I had to say enough that it could never challenge our friendship even though he totally disagreed with me! 

I came out to the island a few times over the years, and it always was a definition of the meaning of true friendship, immediately comfortable because of so many shared experiences whereby a few years apart can be a short time but a few days together can be a long time with great memories.  The last time we were together, my wife and I came to visit.  As always, we were warmly welcomed and Natalie was amazed at both the great beauty and the amount J&L do for the farm, for their community, for the island and therefore for the world as a whole.  Me for my small part, I was put to work building fences like we were both back in our early twenties, enjoying physical labor and being together again.  Thank you Laurie for a great friendship, I will never forget you.

Dear Jackie
We received your letter this morning, what a shock. Our deepest condolences to you and your family. I have many fond memories of you and Laurie at Yellowpoint and those early days in that little Western Canada Wilderness Committee shop in Nanaimo. Bronwyn and I have really enjoyed receiving our annual delivery to Australia of the HoHoHo times. Each year we have loved hearing about your latest and often cryptic adventures. Laurie was very inspiring with his environmental activism and community building activities. His communication skills, ethics and his ability to lead by example were very motivating and affirmative. We are all poorer without him, but his memory will continue to inspire.
Love Jim Sloan & Bronwyn Haddock

Oh my gosh. Laurie & Jackie, the dynamic duo. Ever since they moved away from Ottawa to BC to take up farming, we have missed them and looked forward to their exciting annual missive, the HoHoHo times, to catch us up on their adventures. Always so much cheerfulness and environmental activism, wrapped up in one confusing yet delightful package, sometimes even with bits of twigs attached or glitter falling out.

My heart goes out to Jackie and the doggies. Laurie was a great light of inspiration for saving the planet.

Sending so much love to Jackie and all of J&L's close friends, colleagues and relations.  

All the world will greatly miss Laurie's contribution. But his love of our planet will go on.

I remember with fondness meeting Laurie and his sweet wife in Nanaimo in the early nineties. I am so glad that he got to live a good life. I am so sorry for your loss Jackie I will pass his name of Lama Sydney here on Denman Island who prays for those in the Bardo.

I was shocked and saddened to hear, just a couple of days ago, about Laurie's passing.  How can such a vital spirit in the world really be gone from it?  I remember so many things from our Ottawa CKCU days, most notably, Laurie and Jackie's trip around the world at the turn of the century.  Laurie was doing radio interviews and every few weeks, I would receive a package of cassettes (no audio uploads on the internet back then).  I kept them for him until they got back and Laurie was able to turn them into radio shows, sharing his observations, experiences, and people's ways of solving the problems he and Jackie found as they traversed the globe. That was my experience of Laurie - always asking questions and bringing the answers that he found to the rest of us. He was a great builder of social movements. And he was inquisitive, kind and always optimistic despite the very difficult social change work he was immersed in. I am sad for all of us that a truly wonderful human being is gone.  And my heart breaks for you, Jackie.  Much love, especially in these early days of adjusting to such a huge loss.

20 years ago Laurie and I started a social justice and environmental radio show on CKCU community radio here in Ottawa, and worked together on the 'One World Newsletter' he published. I learned a lot about the meaning of 'right living' from observing and listening to Laurie, til he left Parliament Hill and moved on to 'the left coast'.
We relied on his off the wall Thistledown news each Christmas to stay in touch until 2014 when Cynthia and I were able to stay with Laurie and Jackie at Thistledown Farm.  We are so grateful now to have had this opportunity.

How lucky my friend Barbara and I were to spend time with Laurie and Jackie at their Nanaimo home a couple of years ago, having known them from Toronto days.  I'm so distressed to suddenly hear of his passing.  What a lucky world we were to have Laurie, if even for too brief a time.  Canada cannot afford to lose his likes - hopefully others are coming along to fill his big shoes.

It was such a shock to hear of Laurie's passing.  We had worked together when he was in Ottawa - I think first through Jim Fulton.  But we also shared a mutual friend in Colleen McCrory.  He was a committed, environmental champion.  And Laurie was always (or, at least, seemed to be always,) cheerful. His laugh was contagious.  He will be - and is -deeply missed.    I pledge to carry on his work for the World Heritage Site and the Salish Sea. 

Sorry we 're losing him, Orca Month was excited to make common cause for Salish Sea wildlife.

Thank you Laurie for your vision and spirit. Your spirit lives on in our familys vision of the entire Salish Sea as a protected area. Thank you Laurie for pushing for the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation for those who have no voice , and inviting our daughter TaKaiya to be a part of it. Thank you for introducing us to Christina Mittermeier, photographer. Because of your introduction, TaKaiya was featured st the United Nations in a photographic essay as one of Disneys Midern Day Princesses. There is a picture of TaKaiya in the Salish Sea as part of the exhibit. Also TaKaiya was on an Oceans Panel at the Oceans Confetence in Toronto, thanks to Laurie, where she gave a dire warning about fish farms. I heard of Lauries passing while Christina, TaKaiya and I were at the United Nations. Christina was in tears and I was in shock. In later days, I feel so sad and have a heavy feeling in my heart ❤   I think of his voice on the phone with us and the care and consideration in his voice tone to involve TaKaiya. We miss you Laurie, and your spirit makes us keep fighting. 

I met Laurie almost 40 years ago, and thought him a kind man.  We lost touch not long after.  I still have a Christmas card he and Jackie sent that long ago.  I was stunned to see his obituary in the paper.  How wonderful to read all he accomplished in his life, and every time we cross the Salish Sea, I will think of him.  Jackie you have my deepest sympathy for the loss of your love, you and he, were blessed to have found each other.

Great human with sincere concern about enviorement

So sorry to  hear of Laurie's passing.  He was an authentic voice for the environment and for a better British Columbia.  Throughout the years Laurie truly  walked the walk as well as talking the talk.  My condolences to Jackie.

David Anderson, Victoria

To love this Earth, 
to love your wife, and to be loved in return,  
to love your farm, 
to love your dogs, 
to be loved by your friends, 
to love your ancestors, 
to love your Island,
to fill your life with work that makes this world a better place -
what more could a good man ask for? 

"Thirty more years?" the good man replies from his perch on the edge of a cloud,
streaming love down to Jackie and filling her up 
from a heart overflowing with gratefulness.


It was a pleasure corresponding with Laurie, and helping facilitate his presentations to the Islands Trust Council seeking support for his work protecting the Salish Sea. We had a few conversations in person as well, and his passionate commitment to our environment was truly inspiring. We have lost an important champion for the coast. R.I.P.

We were proud to partner with Laurie on the World Heritage Site application, gaining visitor signatures to our Centre. I knew Laurie only recently, through this process, but I found him respectful, a great listener, and passionate about First Nations participation and of course, for the Salish Sea. I was shocked to hear of Laurie's sudden passing and we remain steadfast to continue to help with the UNESCO application that he so valiantly championed, in any way possible.

Mark Loria, Executive Director
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

It was my profound privilege to have known Laurie as a friend since his university days, to have laughed with him with his wry sense of humor, to have played with him as he was a frisbee aficionado and to have worked with him and been in awe of his passion and dedication to the Salish Sea UN Heritage Site project.  I have a deep sadness as I will miss him and I hope all of these tributes to this wonderful man help Jackie and those others who loved him most through their grieving process.

A Visionary Leader who dedicated the last 3 years of his life to the Salish Sea World Heritage Site : http://mailchi.mp/2008a603d4b8/the-sad-passing-of-laurie-gourlay-salish-sea-unesco-world-heritage-site-visionary

Laurie, you were a very good person. You will be missed. 

My dearest Jackie,
           I don't do Facebook so I just heard about Laurie.  I am so, so sorry.  We have a lost an environmental champion of the first order and you , the best of husbands.   I remember him well as an incredibly supportive husband , not only to his wife, but our whole nursing class as we struggled through the course.
          You two were such a wonderful, well-matched, and adventurous couple I am sure he isn't far away from you now.  Love does not die even though the body does. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.  Love

Art and I were so shocked and saddened to hear of Laurie's death. Laurie was so vital in August when we stayed at the farm and seemed indefatigable even after all those years of work for environmental causes. Jackie, you and Laurie have been on my mind so much since we heard the news. May you have all the love and support you need, and may Laurie's warmth, generosity of spirit, intelligence and commitment continue to inspire others long into the future.

We were so sorry to hear of Laurie's sudden passing. I knew him from NDP circles and Joy admired him as a fellow writer. Please accept our condolences. 

-Joy Sheldon  Ladysmith

there was a compassionate man named Laurie,  whose tireless work was no story,  always a smile and tips on government fraud, positive empathy much like a god..., leaves the provincial government in a sad state of sorry   thank you nikky davies

So sorry for your loss.
Cheryl & Stephen Jenkins
Port Stanley, Ontario

Jackie, Anne and I were honoured to be your guests this past August on Thistledown Farm. I was fortunate to have a conversation with Laurie in between his many farm duties and was immediately impressed by his intelligence, warm spirit and frequent laughs. I remember remarking to Anne that I'd like to get to know him better. Another great one gone too soon.

Laurie and I were work neighbours at Southgate Mall. I so enjoyed his great sense of humour and his kindness. Jackie, my heart goes out to you in your loss.

Laurie was kind, intelligent, generous, would help anyone who needed it, and was a passionate defender of the environment for all the decades I have known him. But more than anything, I will remember his laugh. It flowed freely and frequently in all conversations (apart from political rantsand even then sometimes!).

My heart goes out to Jackie. The two of them together were one of the most solid, loving couples I have ever known, each completing the other. They would each revel in dreaming up some way to surprise the other with a gift every day, even after 43 years of togetherness!

Rest in Peace, dear Laurie. You will never be forgotten.

We are travelling ib New Zealand and have just learned the heartbreaking news via Tych. Our love and sadness goes out to you. We treasure the times we spent with you both over the long years of our friendship. Sue and Hal

Dear Jackie, Paul and I were blessed to have known Laurie and enjoyed our lovely  visit with you both at Thistledown Farm. We have signed Laurie's petition and will continue to support his Salish Sea work. His memory is a blessing for all of us

Jackie, Thinking of you and keeping you and Laurie close to my heart. Blessed that I had a chance to reconnect with you after so many years.

Laurie was always the first person to offer help and support when someone was in need.  He was my coworker at the Nanaimo~North Cowichan constituency offices for many years.  Things just won't be the same without him.  My condolences to Jackie and the rest of his family.  Rest in Peace, Laurie.

So sad to learn of the sudden passing of Laurie Gourlay, a gem of a person and steward of the Salish Sea who presented at this year's Creatively United for the Planet Earth Day festival. Here's a link to his presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K24yAVGyaWo



I am sorry I never got to meet Laurie in person.  Speaking with him over the phone about his passion for the Salish Sea I became aware of the wealth of his knowledge and experience.  I am so sorry to hear of his passing, we have lost a great champion. We will continue to support his effort for the Salish Sea recognized as a World Heritage Site.

In complete shock - farewell dear Laurie. A few words for a large thought...
from a Salish Sea friend.  Jacques Sirois, Oak Bay, Salish Sea

Laurie was my brother-in-law and a usher at my wedding to Jackie's sister, Sharon.The Earth has lost a true savior of the environment and lover to all living creatures. We will miss him very much. Rest in Peace.

Dear Jackie and family,

So shocked and saddened to hear of Laurie's sudden passing. He was so full of life it's difficult to imagine. 

I will of course remember him best for the amazing help and guidance he gave me as Campaign Manager for my first election. Only after winning did I realize how rare it was for the candidate and the campaign manager (both males) to have pony tails.

Visiting you both on your farm some years later was a wonderful treat. That place is a true expression of both your love for each other and your shared passion for a better world. 

I will gladly sign the petition in Laurie's memory. Regardless of whether the gov'ts bring his dream into reality, his legacy speaks volumes already.

Sincerest condolences,

My fondest memory is canoeing with Laurie and Jackie in order to place an election sign on an island in the Rideau River.  Rest in peace.

Kayden, Sandy and I will miss your beautiful smile and warmth of your friendship Laurie.  We always felt welcomed by you when visiting Thistledown. It was likely our Scottish roots  and love of Collies and life in general. Our deepest condolences Jackie and we can understand the depth of your loss.

I am shocked and saddened to hear of this news. Laurie was a wonderful, caring and very smart man, a true advocate for Vancouver Island environmental issues and most especially our precious Salish Sea. I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest and warmest condolences. You are in my thoughts. I wish you well.

Laurie was a kind, gentle, principled man.  I have fond memories of the time we all worked together on the Hill.  My deepest sympathy to Jackie.


When my sister Beverlee was at home dying from pancreatic cancer, Laurie left a message to ask if he could help in any way, even if it was just to 'put the kettle on for tea'. I will always remember the simplicity and love in that message. Sandra Bell 


Dear Jackie, please accept also my condolences with the passing of Laurie. One of the smartest and most caring people I have had the honour to work with for a spell at SPEC V.I. He lives on in my memory too....
with love, Hendrik

Dear Jackie and family, Laurie was a gentle, compassionate and enthusiastic person and I am honoured to have been his friend and co-worker. I especially loved our time together working in PASS (Parliamentary Association for Support Staff), where we shared many laughs together. 

I am so sorry for your loss, Jackie. Please accept my deepest and warmest condolences.

Laurie touched many on Parliament Hill with his kindness, his passion and his enthusiasm. Spending time with him was a great remedy against cynicism. A gentle soul. My deepest sympathies.

Laurie's enthusiasm and passion made him a fond memory of our time together on the Hill. You and he were such a great team, Jackie. Please accept my deepest condolences for this great loss.

Dear Jackie, Laurie was an amazing man with a keen intellect and gentle soul.  He worked hard at making this world a better place and earned respect for his passion. Along with Lin & Iris Baxter, arrangements have been made to plant a grove of trees  in British Columbia and Ontario as a living tribute.  Sending love and light from your friends and neighbours in Ottawa.

Jackie 
What a shocker to come across the notice of Laurie's death this morning on Facebook. I well remember him back to the days when he worked for Pat Martin. I always enjoyed keeping in touch via your Christmas publication. My thoughts are with you in this sorrowful time.
Pat Kerwin

Dear Jackie - I am so sorry to hear about Laurie.  He was so committed to the principles of social justice and worked hard to help move us all in that direction.  His hard work and deep caring will be missed by those of us whose lives he touched.  I have some very sweet memories of visits to your farm and then as always, Laurie

Oh Jackie, what a joy to have known Laurie. A better speaker for what was good and important in life, there never was.  His quiet, intelligent, hard-working, delightful presence will be missed.  We are so sad for the loss of such a wonderful person, and your precious husband.  Condolences from the heart.

Laurie and I worked together on the Hill and shared many laughs. He was such a lovely person. I will remember him for his bright spirit and passion for environmental and social justice.  So sorry Jackie for your loss.

 I will most definitely sigh the petition and share with others.

Dear Jackie, I'm so sorry to hear of Laurie's passing. He was one of the people who made me feel welcome on the Hill when I first arrived. And the memory of gathering on your front lawn in the Market to watch the Dalai Lama (and yell at the PM) is a great one.

Dear Jackie,
Sending you our love and support today, and always.  Uncle Laurie made such a lasting impression on everyone he met, his passion and dedication to the environment, and his friends and family were inspiring. He will be so sadly missed.
xo Dawn, Shawn, Raven and Kinzlee

Uncle Laurie, thank you for loving my Aunt for 41 years. The memories that you have created can never be erased.Your dedication and passion for the earth will live on in all of those who had the honor of knowing you. If I listen close enough, I can still hear that contagious laugh of yours. We will all miss you and all of your flip a lip ways. Xooxoxoxo Kel

Dear Jackie
Our thoughts of love and support are with you.  Laurie has made a great impact on all of us and we will miss him. He was a kind and gentle man but with tremendous strength of character that made him a tireless warrior for protecting mother earth.  He had so many wonderful ideas on how each of us can take action to make the world a better place. He inspired all of us to do better. He had faith that if we only worked hard enough on the right things we could change the world. The world has lost a shining light but his memory will last since he has passed on some of that same light to everyone that knew him.  With deepest condolences.

We are very sorry to hear of Laurence's passing.  We will always remember Jackie and Laurence's wedding beside Lake Huron and his photographic work at our wedding.  During the curling season I usually think of him several times a week while I work on the curling club ice, as the Scot came out in Laurence one class trip, when he ran next door to throw a curling stone.  Our deepest condolences to Jackie, the Lassies, family and friends.

Sending my deepest sympathies to Jackie and the family.
We are all going to miss our Mid-Island environmental hero. He was our Cedar/Yellow Point environmental guardian, initiating projects with Jackie, over the years, to educate and inform community, promote environmental sustainability and always making himself available to advise his neighbours on their issues. This community has suffered a great loss.
Sincerely,
Pauline Hunt
Yellow Point, BC

I am very sad to hear of Laurie's passing, and I hope that his goal for the Salish Sea will be realized. I've signed the petition and hope many more will, too. My thoughts are with you, Jackie.

Dear Jackie,
I am saddened to hear of Lauries passing.
I will always remember your Laurie as a loving and caring man who always had a smile and unique laugh to help brighten your day. I will treasure the memories of my visits to the farm and how you and Laurie always welcomed me to come and stay as long as I liked. 
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.


A kind soul, full of light and love. A brother to both man and the earth.

I can only say I knew Laurie through stories told by my dear friend Kendra Bailey, but just from those stories I could tell he was a magnificent man that made a huge difference in people's lives.

My deepest condolences to his family. He definitely left a mark ❤

Jackie 
 So sorry for your loss . Laurie will be greatly missed by anyone who knew him
 but especially yourself.
 Happy to help if you need any financial info .
                Len Seeto (Toronto)

I am sad to hear about the passing of my brother Laurie. Yes, I said my brother; you don't have to share the same blood to be brothers, just mutual respect for each other.
I met Laurie over 42 years ago; he was an NDP, I was a Liberal, and Laurie's dad was a Conservative. It made for a lot of interesting conversations. 

Laurie and his group were visionaries, thinking outside the box far ahead of their time, with such topics as recycling, for instance. Now we take that for granted, but years ago Laurie and his group were fighting in the trenches for a change, and that change did come many years later. Laurie also became quite the activist, where there was a cause, he was there. Laurie and his sole-mate Jackie travelled the world many times and explored many different cultures. He and Jackie always had time, though, to come around my place at Christmas with the family around, spending lots of time with my children sightseeing, playing in the snow or just hanging out. 

As time passed, they ended up moving to Ottawa, where I stayed with them many times, and then eventually they headed to Nanaimo. They stayed in a beautiful cottage there, then started up Thistledown Farms, where Laurie became the farm manager, and much, much more; he also founded Thistle Consulting Services to help practice sustainable farming and support farmers in BChe did so much in his short life

One event stands out in my memory so clearly.  Back some time ago, we were heading out to a family event; when I arrived, there, standing in front of me was this amazingly handsome man fully dressed in Scottish regale  kilt and all  he looked amazing, and I was envious; he knew it too, you could see it by the way his face lit up when he saw me. That was Laurie.

Jumping ahead many years from then, I brought my new young family out to meet him and Jackie for the first time around Halloween time; we stayed with Laurie and Jackie  they said to us, here's our car, go and explore the island for a week's time, we had a great time thanks to them. That was my last real time spent with him; we would talk over the years from time to time when he wasn't on a mission to save some part of the world; it's not so much about how much time you spend with someone, it's about what you do with that time.

I loved the man they called Laurie, and I loved the man I called brother.

From the day we arrive on the planet, blinking, we step in to the sun; There's more to be seen than can ever be seen; More to do than can ever be donethis is the circle of life

Christopher John Watts,
Elora, ON

Iam deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Laurie, he was a good man and he will be missed by many.

You will be sadly missed by many! You were a truly amazing person who was always happy! Forever in our hearts and memories. ❤

OBITUARY

Laurie Gourlay

Passed away on NOVEMBER 14, 2017

First Memorial Funeral Services

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