Gordon W. Dovey

September 09, 1943 - August 22, 2025

Gordon was born in Victoria, BC where he stayed and raised a family with his high school sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Sharon. Gord and Sharon (Chief) raised two boys, Brad (Melanie) & Grant (Erin) who gave them 3 grandchildren: Bryn, Aiden and Matt. Gord leaves behind his closest sibling Bud, and is predeceased by his sister Joyce and brother Bob. Gord also leaves behind a fun-loving network of in-laws, nieces, and nephews whose visits and get togethers would often go into the night.

Gord's father left when he was just 8 years old, so he followed his older siblings footsteps and started to work at a young age to contribute to the family and his Mom, Elsie, whom he cared for very much, and who influenced all of us Doveys. Gord tested a few trades and ended up with an initial career as a heavy duty mechanic, wrenching trucks at the Bamberton Cement Plant. He decided to leave the tools and use his sense of humour and genuine interest in people to transition into real estate. Dad was a realtor on the island for over 40 years. Towards the end of his career he said he didn't want his face on the bus anymore, but loved dealing with his repeat clients and their families. He truly was a people person. Eventually, the woodworking got the best of him and he hung up his realtor licence. Many of us have furniture, cabinets, hat racks, toy boxes, dump trucks, fairy houses, etc. to remember Dad by.

Gord instilled in us a strong work ethic, do-it-yourself mindset, and the importance of a sense of humour and taking the time for a cold beer with friends and family. Gord was very generous with his time helping with his kids' renovations, car repairs for friends, volunteer driver, baseball coach, etc. Gord loved baseball and fishing, and he passed that on to his kids and grandkids. Brad and Grant both went on to coach their kids. Sport created life-long family friends, and many of the "kids" Dad coached have reached out to say what Gord meant to them. In hospice, the Jay's game and Buck Martinez's voice calmed Dad. Dad and Uncle Bud instilled a sense of adventure in their kids and grandkids from multiple fishing trips all over the Island.

Growing up our house was a second home for many friends and Dad never complained, although he went to the library a lot, which we eventually figured out was code for the liquor store.

Dad wasn't the same after Mom passed just 2 ½ years previous. We miss them dearly, but we're so lucky to have had the time we had, and grateful for all the time and love Mom and Dad showed their grandkids. Their legacy shows in their grandkids' kindness, positivity, and sense of humour.

Mom had Alzheimer's and Dad eased the burden of her illness with his devoted care, keeping her home right until the end. Dad, battled dementia after Mom passed and was adamant that he stay in his home as well. Brad and Grant wish to thank Dad's friend and doctor Mike Putland, family friend and physician Ran Donaldson, amazing neighbours, and the staff at VIHA for helping us keep Dad home until the end. We suggested a few times to Dad that maybe he move to assisted living and his response was consistently "Get stuffed".

Celebration of life?, "No thanks I just had a banana." Instead, we plan an open house to celebrate Gord and Sharon over the Christmas holidays in honour of the open houses that Gord and Chief used to host. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.