G. Leslie GAINOR

Les Gainor left us before his warranty ran out. As a businessman associated with manufacturing requiring many warranties during a long career, he pestered his doctor here for a warranty on his life. After a pacemaker was installed in Dec. 2013, his family physician extended Les’ warranty to 106. Other doctors often joined in the fun. Just a few weeks shy of his 93rd birthday, though, Les passed away peacefully on July 31 at North Island Hospital-Comox Valley.

Born August 26, 1926 Les joked he was the same age as The Queen and Tony Bennett. In fact he was introduced to The Queen and Prince Phillip during their 1956 royal tour when he was chairman of the Calgary Stampede Queen contest.

A warm, funny and generous man, he will be dearly missed by Lorrie, his wife of 52 years; sons Jim (Beth) Edmonton and D’Arcy (Colleen) Calgary; grandchildren Jordan, Chloe, Emma and Rebecca. We wish to also acknowledge his daughters Janice (Peter) and Wendy (Dennis) both in Ontario as well numerous extended family members in Canada and the USA. A memorial celebration will take place at the Crown Isle Resort Club House in Courtenay on Saturday, October 5th, 2019. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to YANA or the CNIB.

Extended Obituary...

Les Gainor passed away peacefully at North Island Hospital-Comox Valley just a few weeks away from his 93rd birthday.

A long life holds highs and lows, challenges and successes, heartbreak and joy. Les experienced all of those things and arrived at the end of his journey in peace and contentment.

Born in High River, Alberta Aug. 26, 1926, Les was raised and educated in Calgary. At the too-young age of 17, he had his mother sign a document permitting him to join the Royal Canadian Navy for WW II action overseas. His father and brother Norman were already serving with the Canadian Army overseas. Meanwhile, his eldest brother Frank was killed accidentally at Jericho Beach while serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during WW II.

Following the war, Les married Violet Hedin (deceased) in Calgary. Daughters Janice and Wendy eventually joined the family there.

A career move to Ontario resulted in a second marriage to Lorrie Smith, his wife of 52 years, and two sons Jim (Beth) Edmonton, and D’Arcy (Colleen) Calgary; and four grandchildren Jordan, Chloe, Emma and Rebecca. Les’ family lived in Toronto, Regina and Calgary.

His working life took many twists and turns with manufacturing the common denominator on projects across Canada. At times he worked with, or for, others. Alternatively, he worked for himself as a successful manufacturer’s agent; first, in the refrigeration sector during the 1950s and 60s marketing commercial equipment to the dairy and supermarket industries as well as equipment for ice surfaces needed by curling rinks in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Marketing in the manufactured vending equipment sector came next, followed by working in the furniture manufacturing industry marketing commercially to the hotel and hospitality industries. The final phase of his career shifted to spectator seating providing seats for professional sports stadiums, arenas, university teaching theatres and classrooms, auditoriums, and municipal playing fields. Les continued to work well into his 80s.

With Lorrie at his side, his final move to Courtenay on Vancouver Island in 2009 would be his last. He loved his community, his house and especially his yard. As his mobility declined in recent years, he regularly patrolled his neighbourhood and yard on his scooter enjoying chit chats with people he met.  

A warm, open, funny and generous man, Les is dearly missed by both his immediate and extended families, as well as many colleagues and friends across the country and the USA.

A memorial event honouring Les’ life will be place at the Crown Isle Resort Club House in Courtenay on Saturday, October 5th, 2019. A smaller gathering will be held in Calgary at a later date.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in his memory to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB).