Gary "Gus" SAUNDERS

SAUNDERS, Gary "Gus"
Peacefully in Hospice after a battle with cancer on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the age of 82. Married for 61 years and survived by his wife Joan (nee Howard). An Ottawa Valley boy, Gus was raised in Carleton Place and was the son of the late Rollitt and late Helen (nee Templeman) Saunders. He is survived by his daughter Barbara Smith (Jim), son Glenn Saunders (Rose), grandson Doug Paradis (Holly), granddaughters Christina Borda (Nick) and Anna Saunders, and great-granddaughter Brookelyn Borda. He is also survived by his brother Glenn of Colorado, sister Helen Anne Saunders and brother Brian of Barrie, ON. Predeceased by his son Bob. Gus was a member of the Royal Canadian Navy and was a Naval Pilot. USN trained in Pensacola FL, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Antisubmarine pilot VS881, VS880, HMCS Bonaventure (225 deck landings). CFB Shearwater VU-32 (OIC Advanced Training Flight), Base Operations Room Officer and Atlantic Provinces Sea Cadet Liaison Officer. While living in Nova Scotia, Gus was very involved in minor hockey. President of the Cole Harbour/BelAyr Minor Hockey Association, President of the Metro Peewee/ Squirt Hockey Tournament, President of Metro Halifax/Dartmouth Midget League, President Dartmouth Peewee Atlantics (Quebec 70) and President of the Dartmouth Junior Arrows. Then, posted to National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, Gus started a new career and became a broker with the Ottawa Real Estate Board. After retirement and moving to Munster, Farmer Gus' Pumpkin Ranch was born and many children, schools and daycares visited the open range farm. Gus also started the Ottawa-St. Lawrence Growers Association. He held the first Giant Pumpkin competition in Munster (World Champions 1994-1997) and eventually went to the By Ward Market to hold the Championships. Friends may pay respects at the
Kelly Funeral Home, Kanata Chapel
580 Eagleson Road, Kanata, ON K2M 1H4
613-591-6580
Wednesday, January 18, 2017 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Thursday, January 19, 2017 after 10 a.m. Memorial Service will follow in the Chapel at 11 a.m. Conducted by Rev. Jim Baldwin. Gus led the family, in memory of their son Bob, in the Terry Fox Foundations efforts to raise money for a cancer cure. To that end and in lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Gus' memory to the Terry Fox Foundation, Suite 900, 1200 Eglinton Ave. East, Toronto, ON, M3C 1H9. Condolences and Sharing Memories at www.kellyfh.ca.