Gawn Croll

It is with immense sadness that we announce Gawn's passing. He leaves behind to mourn his beloved wife, Marilyn, whom he married in April 1960, daughters Su (Wayne Murdoch), Lynda (Stewart Fernie), Penny (Patrick Lawless) and son Greg (Julie Lavertue) and grandchildren Morgan and Michael Fernie, Lizzie and Duncan Murdoch, Kate and Zoë Lawless and Jacob and Jamie Croll.

Gawn was born in Lachine, Quebec to Elizabeth (Beattie) and Thomas Croll. He had one sibling, a brother, Billy (deceased). He attended grade school, high school and university all in the Montreal area and worked as an arboricultural consultant in Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa until 2001.

The family home was always very busy with many family gatherings and with friends frequently dropping by. Music was an integral part of family life. Gawn was blessed with a beautiful voice and Marilyn often accompanied him on the piano. As a couple, they shared a love of concerts, theatre and opera and were patrons of the National Arts Centre for several years. As well, he was active in service clubs and food drives in Ottawa.

Gawn's passion was tending to his magnificent flower gardens. He was also an avid sportsman - cycling, soccer, golf, squash and hockey, the latter until he was 63. His hockey team had always been the Montreal Canadians and he supported them win, lose or draw.

The Christmas season was very special to him and reading "The Night Before Christmas" to his children and grandchildren through the years on Christmas Eve was a family tradition.

In 2001, Gawn and Marilyn retired to Canmore. Here he continued his daily workouts at the Canmore Rec Centre and also became an active volunteer with the Bow Valley Food Bank. As a couple, they enjoyed many years of travel together.

Gawn became a resident of Golden Eagle View in December 2010.

Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Gawn's life was held on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Creekside Hall, Canmore Seniors Centre.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Gawn may make a donation, in his memory, to the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation (www.canmorehealthfoundation.com), 1100 Hospital Place, Canmore, AB. T1W 1N2

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Andy Reed for the years of care he provided to Gawn, and gratitude to the amazing staff of Golden Eagle View (his "other family" over the past 26 months) for their compassionate care.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.