David Edward Fergus “Gus” Gracey
Died: July 18, 2014 | Place: London, Ontario
Obituary
GRACEY, D. E. Fergus (Gus) Ph.D.
At home, peacefully, with his family by his side, on Friday July 18, 2014, David Edward Fergus Gracey of London, in his 73rd year. Beloved husband and best friend of Estelle (Hunter) Gracey for 46 years. Dear father of
Jacqueline Barrett (Greg) of Sault Ste. Marie, Julia Gracey (Trevor Allibon) of Ottawa and
David Gracey (Alexandra) of London. Dear brother of Margaret Gracey and John Gracey, both of Sydney, Australia and Kathleen Knott (Don) of Mountain View, California. Proud papa of grandchildren Temeara and Gavan Barrett, Evan and Maya Allibon and Lauren Gracey. Lovingly remembered by his entire family and numerous friends. Born in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, Gus emigrated to Canada in 1967 and was a dedicated employee of Labatt’s, in Research and Quality Assurance, for 30 years. Gus, a devoted mason, was proud to represent his lodge as DDGM.
Friends will be received by the family from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Tuesday July 22, 2014 at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London. A Masonic Service under the auspices of Ashlar Lodge No. 610 A.F. & A.M. will be conducted at the funeral home on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. The funeral service will be conducted at Westmount Presbyterian Church, 521 Village Green Avenue, at Wonderland Road, London on Wednesday July 23, 2014 at 3 p.m, with Reverend Michael J. Stol officiating. Cremation, Woodland Crematorium. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to a charity of choice or Westmount Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund. Online condolences, memories and photographs shared at www.amgfh.com
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Estelle and family, I am very saddened to hear the news today. Gus was such a wonderful and warm guy and was always very supportive and friendly with myself and all the guys around the lodge room. We will all miss his company and his ever so recognizable voice around the lodge room. He touched the lives of many people and because of that he will continue on through all of us. I will miss Gus dearly. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to call.
Chris
Estelle and family,
My most heartfelt condolences. Although I did not know Gus for very long, his sense of care, wisdom, and outlook on life did not fail to make a deep and lasting impression – as I am certain that it did for all who have had the fortune of knowing him. I characterize him as brave, diligent, and demonstrated the best virtues to which so many of us aspire. I have fond memories of his knack for storytelling, punctuated with a subtle but effective humour. He told me of his work-related travels, and we spoke of chemistry. Duty and responsibility to others were among his hallmark virtues, and his character will always be burnished in my memory.
Dear Estelle and family,
My sincere condolences on the passing of a wonderful man, a good friend and a great Mason.We shall certainly miss him.
Fil.
So very sorry he will be missed
To the Gracey Family. The world has lost a wonderful man. Great husband, devoted father and doting grandfather and a Mentor to many of us. His wit and humour will be missed by all of us. May he rest in the Richly Rewarded Peace we all wish for him. His work on earth is done, now he will work for God. God speed Gus. We are all better people because of Gus.
We worked at Labatt with Gus and he made quite an impression on us. A great smile, recognizable voice, and a talent in his field. Our sincere sympathies to his family. May your memories help pull you through.
With heartfelt sympathy
Robin Ramer & Bob Weaver
Thinking of you and your family at this time and knowing family, friends and faith will give you much needed support,
Pam and Harold
I worked with Gus and am shocked at his passing. My sincere condolences to all his fanily.
GUs was such a gentleman and will aways be remembered
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies to his family with the passing of dear Gus. I had the privilege of working with him for a number of years at Labatt and I have never known a more talented, kind, and decent man throughout my time there. God bless you Gus, you will always be remembered.
Estelle and family,
Please accept my condolence on the loss of Gus, your husband, father and friend. I enjoyed working with Gus for many years at Labatt, as part of the Production Research group and within the Corporate Quality Assurance group. He was a wonderful individual and I learned much from him. It was an honour and a privilege to have known him. He will be greatly missed by all that he touched in one way or another.
To David & the Gracey family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with all of you.
Eric Whittle
Dear Estelle and Family, Gus was a great guy to work with at Labatt. He was always a gentleman, often shared amusing quips, and he frequently made keen observations and resulting interesting comments on life. My heart goes out to you all in your loss. Sheila Stevenson
Dear Estelle, Jackie, Julie and David, I thank God for the privilege of having known your dear husband and father. Praying that God would fill you with His peace and divine comfort at this time.
A sunset on earth is a SUNRISE in Heaven!
John 11:25-27 “Jesus said: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who lives and believes in me even though He dies yet shall He live. He who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Dear Estelle & Family,
Our sincere sympathy in your time of loss. While we only recently met Gus, we feel privileged to have known him. May he rest in peace and may fond and loving memories provide you comfort during this sad time.
Papa i miss you so much and you are the greatest papa ever and i wish you were not in alot of pain and i will always think of you and remember you and i remember when you took me to feed the ducks and when you took me to go get ice cream i love you from Evan
To the Gracey Family –
Please accept our deepest sympathy in the loss of Gus. He truly was a remarkable, caring man and will be missed by so many!
Bill Clare (Oakridge Lodge)
Norma Clare (AMG Funeral Home)
To the Gracey family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I truly respected Gus, both for his unwavering sense of decency as well as his good humour. I’ll always remember him as Coach Gus. And while he couldn’t complete the impossible task of turning be into a star soccer player, he did instil in me the value of fair play. Rest easy now Gus, where the golf courses are never crowded and the Guinness is always cold.
Over the years there were many masonic meetings were we were together. I enjoyed Gus’ company. He will be missed.
Art Rake, PDDGM, Oakridge Lodge
you were an awesome Papa and wish you were still alive and remember i will always remember you and think of the great times we had together like when you took me to go get ice cream and i always got the flavor jam and we would have it in a bowl i miss you so much and love you with all my heart from Evan
I met Gus in 1965 when I became a member of the graduate school of chemistry at Queens University, Belfast. It transpired however that we had met several times in prior years, unknowingly, on the rugby field when his team from Lurgan played against my team from Belfast. Although the results of those games are long since forgotten I suspect that my team was outplayed by his.
As well as being an industrious and clever student of chemistry Gus was a very cheerful person with a characteristic and infectious laugh. His repertoire of jokes and tall tales along with his talent as a balladeer (of the Irish type!) in addition to an open friendly persona ensured his popularity throughout the chemistry department. When he graduated with a Ph.D. in 1967 and left for Canada the chemistry department became a quieter and more somber place.
His presence was missed.
By coincidence we met again in the chemistry department of McMaster University in November 1968. During the next two years Doreen and I became close friends with Estelle and Gus. Although we subsequently went our separate ways we always maintained contact with each other. Thus we have been friends now for almost 50 years. It is hard to believe so much time has elapsed since we first met. It is even more difficult to accept that Gus has passed on.
We will miss you Gus but we will see you down the road.
Estelle and family, Doreen and I and our family send you our profound condolences in the sincere hope they will bring you some degree of peace and comfort at this most trying of times.
Doreen and Terry
Estelle, Jackie, Julie and David,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Gus. One of the kindest and friendliest of all my friends’ dads! Over the many years our families have been friends, he would always take the time to ask me how things were going in my life, with genuine interest. That always meant a great deal to me!
I know he will be missed more than words can express. My thoughts are with your family at this time. I will always remember him fondly.
Julie, Jackie, David, Mrs. Gracey –
I was very saddened to hear of the loss of your Dad. I have fond memories of spending so much time with your family and hopping over the back yard fence – ever so careful not to step in his garden! Your Mom and Dad always made me feel so welcome. With my deepest sympathies, Tracy Manchen (Church)
Dear Estelle,
it is with great sadness that I send you and your family all my deepest condolences. I remember with great fondness and gratitude Gus’s hospitality and kindness when my parents and I stayed with you some years ago, and know his and your friendship has been invaluable to our family. It was a privilege to know Gus. I am thinking of you all at this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Lisa (Derek and Anna’s daughter).
To the members of the Gracey family – I am so very sorry for your loss. “Mr. Gracey”, to me was at one time this intimidating, strong, bold man who I could never quite understand (Dave would have to translate)…but he had the BEST stories! He had a warm smile and a heart of gold – and I know he will be missed.