Richard "Dick" E. Gardner

June 18, 1933 - October 15, 2024

The Gardner family is sad to announce the passing of a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many, at the age of 91, Richard Ernest Gardner.

Dick was born in 1933 in Spruce Home, Saskatchewan. Son to Clarence "Curly" and May Gardner. Dick has a brother, Bud, and sister Daryl who passed away in 2013. The family moved to Hope in the Fall of 1946, and Dick started grade 7 in 1947 and graduated in 1952 from the Hope High School.

Dick and his brother Bud both attended GM College in Flint, Michigan and graduated in 1955. They went into business together in 1958 opening their own mechanic shop, then later became a GM Dealer in 1981, Dick the Service Manager and Bud Dealer Principal Sales Manager, and they continued to work together for 54 years.

Dick met Barbara in the mid 50's and married June 4, 1960. They bought a house in Hope together, and after 5 years of marriage they adopted their son Warren, and a year later their daughter Paula. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage together, going on family camping trips with friends, water/winter skiing, golfing, curling, and traveling to Hawaii and Palm Springs.

Dick was a prominent and proud member of the community. He joined the Hope Volunteer Fire Department in 1954 and became the Fire Chief in 1970 until 1997. In 2004, Dick received the 3rd Bar for 50 years of volunteer fire department service. He was a member of the Lions Club for 67 years, past president of minor hockey, refereed minor hocky and the men's rec league, past president of the Hope Golf Club, and was a member of the Legion for 37 years. He was very proud of the Hope Volunteer Fire Department's many years of work involved with Brigade Days and helping organize the demolition derby. In 2012, at the age of 79, Dick decided to retire. Time to travel, visit the grandkids, collect cars, golf trips with the buddies, hang out in Nanaimo in the condo or just socialize here in town with friends at the sc or the kp.

Dick is survived by his loving wife Barbara, children Warren (Angela), Paula (Ron), brother Bud and grandchildren Justin, Liam, Aidan, Rowan, nephews and nieces Greg and Cynthia, and Pat and Christy.

The family would like to thank the Fraser Hope Lodge, Fraser Canyon Hospital, Home Care Aids, and all the Hope doctors and staff over the years for their dedication and service.

A celebration of life will be December 7, 2024 at 1:30pm, at the Hope Legion.