Jan. 22, 1925 – Dec. 5, 2015
Royal Canadian Navy
1943 -1945
(Henry) GILLIS Bailey, second generation born in Kelowna B.C. January 22nd 1925 to (Violet) RUTH Bailey / Wybrew (nee Hardy) and (Henry) HARRY Charles Bailey. Gill is survived by his loving wife Gwen of 18 years, his brother Phillip and predeceased by his brother Fred (Leona, Hawaii) and his first wife (Pauline) POLLY Bailey 1928 – 2003 (nee Schwab). Dad’s grandparents were Kelowna pioneers Archibald and Julia Hardy.
Dad will be hugely missed by his family: Son Gordon (Gayle), grandchildren Leigha; Dyan (Mikko), great grandchildren Liisa & Jeff; Crystal (Bryan), great grandchildren Zoe & Ian; Daughter Barb (Bob) Bassett, grandchildren Robbie (Meagan), great grandchildren Zachary & Anya; Carlie (Kevin) Krampl (nee Bassett), great grandchildren Ethan, Lucas & Kaden; and Craig (Julia), great grandchild Hensley.
Gillis was very fond of his loving step family, two of whom resided in 100 Mile House and took great care of him: Wendy Wenting (Trevor Zywine); Rob (Carmen) Wenting; and Andy (Dawn), Wenting on Vancouver Island.
Born and raised in Kelowna, Dad had a huge love of the beautiful Okanagan Valley so it was natural that he returned after he served in the Royal Canadian Navy (HMCS Mimico) from 1943 to 1945. He worked for the Kelowna Ferry system; was a Marine Engineer on the B.C. coast; a motel owner in the Wells – Barkerville area and a Commissionaire in Vancouver. In retirement he found his dream home, second wife and dancing partner (Gwen), when he settled at 108 Mile Ranch in his beautiful cozy log home backing onto the Walker Valley. He lived his life just the way he wanted, enjoying his love of cars, dancing, classical music, old movies especially Clark Gable, reading and telling stories with everyone especially Navy and Legion buddies, (#261). His great sense of humour got him through life and folks knew him as a “great guy.”
We would like to sincerely thank all the doctors and nurses from Interior Health 100 Mile, 100 Mile Hospital and Mill Site Respite hospital who made dad’s last few months very comfortable.
There will be a memorial service in 100 Mile House and another at the internment site at the Hardy Family Plot in the Kelowna City Cemetery; to be announced in the spring of 2016.
In Gill’s remembrance, any donations in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated by the: “BC Cancer Foundation, Kelowna division, Brachytherapy Program; attention Dr. J Crook.”