Gerhard "Gary" Wilhelm Thiel

Left to grieve and remember him are his children, Carmen and Gary (Karen), grandsons, Lucas and Carson, cherished siblings in Germany - brother Siegfried, sisters Erika, Traute, Edith, Hella and Lilo and many other family and friends in Canada and Germany.

Born to Albert and Charlotte in Pillkallen (Schlossberg) Germany, on December 4, 1929, Gary was one of 13 children in a lively and devoted family. He and his fiancé, Ida, immigrated to Canada in 1953 and married in Calgary, Alberta. They welcomed their daughter Carmen Ida, in 1954 and their son, Gary Paul, in 1958.

Dad had a zest for life, a great sense of adventure, and a love of learning new things. Working for BC Hydro through the 60s, 70s and 80s Gary and family moved all over BC, especially in the early days with the “survey crew”. After retiring in 1988 Dad embarked on a sailing adventure in his 36’sloop Carmida. He sailed her to Mexico, Hawaii and then home to Victoria. Mom was brave enough to join him for some legs of the trip. Gary and Ida made many trips to Germany, keeping up their family ties, which remained strong to the end of Dad’s life. They hosted family and friends often, as they were kind and hospitable people.

Dad was a strong, affectionate, and devoted husband and father. He was our hero. We are deeply sad to say Auf Wiedersehen to him and fiercely proud that he was our father and grandfather. His last wish was to reunite with his beautiful Ida.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 @ 2:00 pm at First Memorial Funeral Services, 1155 Fort St., Victoria.