Gary was born on September 6, 1931, in Powell River, BC, and passed away peacefully on December 20, 2023 at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC. He was predeceased by his parents, William and Blanche, and daughter, Susan. He is survived by his beloved wife, Margot; daughter, Alison (Rob); son, Graham (Erika), and grandchildren, Grant, Lynden, and Heath. After a brief stay in hospital, Dad left us peacefully with his family by his side. He had been surrounded by family in his final days and he knew how very loved, valued and respected he was. We are all so proud of our Dad and grateful for the care he received.
Dad grew up in Powell River and treasured memories of living on the Sunshine Coast, exploring many areas, including his beloved Savary Island. Savary summers included fishing and family time with Bill, Al, Stewart, Jack, Ann, Bert, Kay, Lillian, Gail, and many friends. Dad travelled back to Savary each year, well into his 80’s. As a teenager he spent several summers as a lifeguard on the beaches of the Sunshine Coast and enjoyed swimming, fishing and playing several sports. Dad excelled at school and athletics, winning numerous awards along the way to the University of British Columbia, where he shined as both a scholar and athlete. He played varsity football and basketball at the University of BC, and often mentioned his football coach Don Coryell, who later became the head coach of the San Diego Chargers. He enjoyed all that university life had to offer, including meeting Margot, who together celebrated 67 years of marriage this year. While at UBC he made lifelong friends to whom he remained connected and looked forward to seeing frequently. He cherished friendships with Kay and Ian Mair, Ken MacKay and Sally, Evan and Yvonne Oakley, Dave Jones, Jack and Nancy Shipley, George and Yvonne Bolt, Bill and Gloria Garner, Ron and Sonia McLeod, George and Marion Andrews, Don and Jill Horwood and so many others. Dad also enjoyed many years of golf at Uplands Golf Club with great friends. The annual schooly-plumber golf tournament was full of chirping, some good golf and many laughs.
After university Gary found his calling as an educator, school administrator, coach, and community builder. He started teaching at Oak Bay Secondary in 1956. He was a great advocate for students and knew how important educators are in supporting youth to achieve their goals. He coached the Oak Bay basketball team in the 1960s and his teams won 6 Island Championships and 2 provincial titles in 1965 and 1968. He cherished the relationships he had with his players. Gary was incredibly grateful when the Oak Bay basketball court was named in his honour in 2015. He also coached championship track and field and swimming teams at Oak Bay. Gary became the vice principal at Lansdowne in 1970, principal of Cedar Hill in 1976, and retired as principal of Lambrick Park in 1990. Gary’s friendship with Roy Henry Vickers resulted in a First Nations Art Display at Cedar Hill Secondary, one of the first school art displays of its kind. Gary realized the importance of sports, music, and the arts in supporting youth and connecting cultures. His incredible impact on his students, teachers, and community lasted for 35 years.
Gary’s volunteering stretched far and wide. He was vice-Chair of the 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games. In 1970 the University of Victoria asked him to volunteer coach the Varsity basketball team. After 5 winning seasons and a Canada West title, Gary knew the University required paid coaches if their athletic program was to compete across Canada. Gary successfully advocated the University administration to formalize the athletics program by having paid varsity coaching positions. His achievement paved the way for the Vikes’ national championship success that has occurred over the past 50 years. Gary was inducted into the Oak Bay Secondary Hall of Fame, Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and the BC Basketball Hall of Fame.
Dad lived an active and full life. Despite vision complications in his later years, he remained sharp minded and continued to enjoy a quality of life that many could not, including many hours cultivating his beautiful flower gardens. We will miss our Dad immensely but are grateful for the example he set for us in living a life with purpose, dignity and humour. The world is a far better place because of him and the impact he had on his family and community will continue to be felt for generations.
A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held at Uplands Golf Club, 3300 Cadboro Bay Road, on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 pm.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
41 Responses
I had the privilege of being a physical education instructor at Lambrick Park when Gary was principal. Not only was Gail a wonderful man, but he was a great educator principal and coach supported me and everyone else in the school. One of my fondest memories of Gary was when I senior boys volleyball team was playing in the BC Championships at the Ballas Secondary and Parksville. Gary and Margo travel to Parksville cheers us on for three hours of an exciting match. We were able to win in the fifth set. I do not think that too many principles would’ve travelled all that way to watch a volleyball match when he was so into basketball. OK, I was very sad that I could not attend his memorial service at the Upland golf course as I had a dentist appointment at the same time. I will miss his Christmas card. Gary will be missed by everyone
I often thought I was the only person in my PE class. To say I was chubby was an understatement – the other kids called me “Jelly Belly” – and each time I found PE on my schedule for the day I was filled with dread.
Your dad changed all that. Standing out on the street a block from the school, cheering me on as I brought up the rear of our one-mile run; working me with until I overcame my fear of heights enough to climb the rope to the top; telling me my size was a virtue as he dropped me in to anchor the scrum; getting me to vault, and tumble, and many other things.
Then, at the end of the term, he gave me an ‘A’ on my report card. I asked him why, when we had people like Bruce and Darrel Howe (Gordie’s nephews) as standout athletes in the same class, I got that mark. He said, “Because you TRIED”.
Gary Taylor was a life-altering teacher. I’m so grateful he came into my life, and even today, 57 years later, I feel his warmth and see the grin.
Thank you to the entire family for sharing him with us all.
I only just heard about Gary’s passing. My condolences to his family and friends. I was so incredibly inspired by Gary as a student at Oak Bay High in the 1960’s..he truly shone in his caring and genuine interest in young people. His leadership in sports and gymnastics lit a fire in me for track and field and long lasting gym and athletics activities. Apart from a bashed up calf due to rigorous games of grass hockey and basketball, my memories are all golden, as Gary was one of the most enthusiastic and caring teachers I ever had in my life. I thought of him many times after graduating from Oak Bay High School. RIP Gary…you will be treasured in my memory!
I had the rare honour of playing against Coach Gary Taylor in the late 60’s, and for him during his years at UVIC in the early 70’s.
I fondly remember his unbridled enthusiasm during all practices and every game coaching the Vikings. He donated his time and energy as an unpaid coach and managed to create a Conference Champion. His interest in each and every player on that team was incredible and I thank him for being such a great mentor to us.
Now, if you multiply that by all the teams he coached over the years you will clearly see the impact he had on so many players, all their parents, all the teachers, and all the students who enjoyed supporting any team he coached. He was a great coach and an even greater person who I will always remember.
As many have noted, Gary had an outsized influence on so many lives including my own. His enthusiasm and joy as a coach and genuine good guy was inspiring. Gary was my PE teacher at Oak Bay in the early 60’s and I was also fortunate to be part of his formidable 1963 Track team. Many fond memories. RIP Gary
My relationship with Gary began in 1963, which included his role as a mentor, teacher, and coach, most notably in 1965 when he won his first provincial championship.
Throughout the years, we remained in touch, with coach dropping by on Christmas Eve with Margo, after their dinner at the Chinese Village. Fun times.
Joette and I send our heartfelt condolences to the family. I feel privileged that Gary played such an integral part in my development, and I will always remember Gary as the epitome of the word “class”
Many fond memories of Mr. Taylor. Landsdowne was a force with him at the helm! My brother Wayne was coached by him! We enjoyed the success of Oak Bay!
Gary was my PE teacher at Lansdowne Junior High in 1957 and also at Oak Bay High in 1962. I taught his daughter at Willows in Grade 5 & 7 and he was so supportive of me during the start of my career as a first year teacher and later when I moved into Admin. He was one of the finest men I knew and his legacy as a teacher, Administrator, gentleman and parent will never be forgotten by me. I am so fortunate to have had the chanced to have met such a fine man in my life. Robert Wall
As a 1961 to 1964 student at Oak Bay High, who purported to be a “jock”, I found there was no way to ignore Garry’s impact on Oak Bay High. I played soccer, rugby and worked hard at track and field events, so I was not a basketball player of much consequence. This however did not stop me from drawing inspiration and motivation from Garry to do my very best always to represent OBHS. Garry had to fill in as rugby Coach one year and guess what, he made us step up and be counted.
While I was more or less a utility player on the 1963, track and field team, I was thrilled to see Garry’s team, win what was essentially a BC championship at UBC. Remember the likes of Bob McLaren, Rick Humber, Rick Higgins, John Edwards and others. Garry made the athletes work as a team and the results were spectacular . Garry, as usaual credited the athletes but we all know what made it happen.
While being an exceptional coach, I have to state he was really an exceptional person who knew how to draw the best out of us.
Here we form life long connections and respect for what we can accomplish to together. Chemists may call it a catalyst. I call it the Garry Taylor influence.
He helped all of us be better as athletes, people and many of us as teachers and coaches trying to follow his example.
Our sincere sympathies and thanks to the family for sharing him
Like others, Gary had an immense and positive impact on my life. He inspired and guided me to do my best and feel special in various sports which crossed over to academics and life in general. Definitely one-of-a-kind! RIP Gary.