ANTHONY GALE COURTNEY

COURTNEY
Sadly, the family of Anthony Gale Courtney announce his passing, in care on Salt Spring Island BC at the start of his 97th year, on January 5, 2024, in the comfort of his forever loving daughter, six years almost to the day since he held his wife's hand in her final moments.

A dedicated and loving family man, a very social being, a little bit devilish and maybe even a bit of a flirt; a prolific talker, face to face or on the phone, and a relentless fact embellisher; a story teller extraordinaire and an enthusiastic purveyor of humour and jokes in all forms and of all colours; an incredible floating-on-air, makes you just want to stand and watch them dance partner, an unwavering and loud hockey fan; a proud second-generation railroader, a talented tradesman, an in-his-element transport truck driver; and a very devoted participant in many lifelong friendships. If he met you, you were his friend, and if you were his friend you were his friend forever.

He had an uncanny way of always making everyone feel so uniquely special. Dad, Papa, G-Pop or Uncle, the elder son of George Courtney and Teresa Delvecchio-Fiorito, Gale pursued a variety of trades and business ventures in Thunder Bay ON and Tsawwassen BC, and then moved 5,700 km to Ebenezer PEI for early retirement on a dream of a lifetime dairy farm; he and Doreen eventually returning to Surrey BC, and family, in their twilight years.

Predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Doreen Annie Birch in 2018, sons Lyle (2011) and Tim (Patty)(2019), and by his eldest great-grandson Micheal, so suddenly, in 2023. Gale is survived by his sons David of Whitby ON, Warren (Dorothy), Mississauga ON, and Andrew of Delta BC, and by his daughter Marilyn (Jim Fotinakis) of Salt Spring Island BC, along with 17 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; survived also by his brother Jerry (Dolores) and sister Nan Johansen-Gillespie both of Thunder Bay; a sister-in-law, many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and distant relatives, all residing across the country, in the USA and abroad.

Interment of ashes in the family plot will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, in celebration of Gale and his long full life please, from time to time, just think a warm and happy thought of him and give yourself a hug, or share your special memories and smile and laugh throughout the telling; or create a special piece of art and show it off a lot, plant a tree or a bed of flowers for everyone to enjoy; or sing a clever witty song right out loud especially when other people are around, or sing a silly one and make all the little kids laugh, or whistle a catchy 1940's tune or two, maybe show off your very best new dance moves; or ring an old brass cow bell at a hockey game until the cops escort you out of town, for your own safety of course, or tell the same joke over and over and over again; buy a lottery ticket and maybe even win, or bake your favourite cake and leave the kitchen in an absolute mess; or just drop what you're doing and lend a helping hand to someone in need, maybe sneak bits of food to your dog right from the table when you think no one is looking; or lick your dinner plate and wipe the drips off your shirt, eat pie and ice cream for breakfast, put butter on your steak and on chocolate cake too, heck put butter on everything; or maybe go for a ride in the countryside at haying time, savour the sweet smells and remember Gale living his dream; or do just whatever you really, really love to do; and most especially, hug those you love, often, and always, always remember to say those three little words … Gale would want it to be that way! Rest in peace Dad, the memories live on, you are and will always remain very well loved.