Well, it was my time. I fought the fight with colon cancer and lost. I am predeceased by my parents, Harry and Hilda and brothers, Donald and Frank. I leave behind my sister, Wendy (Ollie); brother, Paul (Wendy) and sisters-in-law Pat, Karen and their families.
My life was full of fun and work. I played basketball for Vic High’s last BC Champs in 1969 (great teammates) and for the UVIC Vikes the following 4 years. I can’t forget the Sr. A Scorpions and Data Tech teams and all the parties.
I worked eight years for Mr. Big’n Tall and 30 years in real estate with Pemberton Holmes (more great parties…you get the idea, right?).
Sadly, I have left three of the fellas, Mulcs, Bish and Spider and have joined Leon. Tip a pint on my behalf. (Cheer up T-Bone)
No service by request. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Saanich Peninsula Palliative Care Unit.
“That’s all folks. See you on the other side”
Doc
Condolences may be offered to my family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Dave Dickson
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Bob & Joette Burrows Reminiscing about a great teammate,friend and coaching partner. All great highlights! Ya gotta’tip your hat to a guy who wrote his own obit. Doc…you nailed your last three!
And Mrs. Bob would like to add, I’ll so miss our dances together. When talking to Hosh a few weeks before his passing,we had huge chuckles about winning a dance contest in Point Roberts. Those so were the days! Hosh,say hey to Chris and Donny. RIP dear friend, until we all meet again.
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Chris Main Gord was one of the good guys. He was a class mate at UVic, a salesman at Big & Tall, basketball coach to my son at both Mt. Doug and Camosun as well as a tenant for over 10 years. We spent many an hour solving the problems of the world and enjoying the events of the day. Going to miss him.
Our best to Wendy and her family who were so close and supportive.
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Mike Metcalfe Hi Hosh. Thanks for the obit! My condolences to the family…we met at First United Basketball in the early sixties…Moe and Mavis Turner were our coach and manager. We both ended up loving basketball.
Gordie! You became a “Family Friend” of the Metcalfe’s and Wally and Charlotte. Truly you were one of the nicest guys I ever knew.
Cheers. Mike and Marg Metcalfe
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Ian Hyde-Lay Gord, RIP.
Thanks for your many contributions to basketball in Victoria over the decades.
Such a shame that the youngsters of today did not get a chance to see “The Doctor” operate!! They would have been impressed.
You left a real mark on the many teams you coached. Also, I remember in particular the 1995 Island AAA final when we (SMUS) beat you (Mt. Douglas) at the buzzer. We did not deserve to win that evening, but you handled the disappointment with such grace. You insisted we get straight down to Maude’s for a pint or two, with you picking up the tab for the SMUS staff. Total class.Hydes
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Eric Earl It was always good to be around Gord as we grew up and played together at Oaklands, Lansdowne and finally VicHigh. You could call him VicHigh’s secret weapon in our win at the BC BB tournament in 1969. He shrugged off the critics as not being heavy enough to play with the big boys, but came through with 2 shots that became the game winners. Porky was ecstatic as that gave him 4 BC wins. We missed him at our last Totem reunion last October but we all had a chance to talk with him by phone. He was trying to keep safe but really wanted to join us. We all signed a Wilson ball commemorating the win provided by our favourite cheerleader, Adelle, and that was a real plus. Gord was first to sign. The ball will go on display at the revamped Vic High. (No place to post pictures?)
My condolences to Wendy, Ollie and family on your loss. You were a real help to Gord to the end.
Eric Earl
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Bronwyne Davies I worked with Gord for years at David Burr. He was a great guy and I’m sure he is missed by his family. So sorry for your loss
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Charlie Weir I JUST SAW THIS. So sorry to hear that Gordie passed. Last time I ran into him he was selling clothing. The Weirs lived one house away from the Hoshals. I was friends with Don Paul & Frank. Your Dad never arrested me but we had a few talks. I hope you, Paul & Wendy are well. All the Best Sandy & Charlie Weir.
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Joan Page So sorry for the loss to Gord’s family and friends. We were from the VHS Class of ‘69 and although I did not see him often through the years, he was memorable for sure. Glad we had a chance to connect at school reunions. He is such a great success story from our class and VHS. He lived life his way to the end. Gone far too soon.
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Ruth Stark To Gord’s family – my condolences – we worked together at Pemberton Holmes for many years and thoroughly enjoyed our team work with clients. Gord was a lovely, funny man with a major sense of humour – a friend at all times. He will be missed.
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Kelly Mann Sorry to see you go, Hosh.
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Mary Kelly My husband and I remember Gord for his dedicated help when purchasing our home over two decades ago. Gord was so kind and worked hard to make our dream of home ownership happen.
Our condolences to Gord’s family and friends.
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Pam Harknett My sincere condolences to the Hoshal family, the Fellas, numerous teammates and his city full of friends. I will always happily remember Gord’s big smile, swish shot, road trip highlights, zest for life and soul train dance moves. When we recently said goodbye he told me he’d be off to find Leon and wherever that might be, they would tip a few beers and it definitely would be another good time. ♥️
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Lesley Metcalfe I am the youngest of the Fairfield “Metcalfe” clan and recall watching Hosh as a Vic High Totem and thinking wow !!
I then had Hosh as a coach at a Uvic basketball clinic when I was in my early teens, and I recall him teaching us how to do the slide while maintaining his dribble !!
As life moved on, I then ran into Hosh at various bball gyms and drinking holes where he was one of the nicest and friendliest guys around. I was also fortunate enough to have Hosh as my trusty realtor.
Hosh, you will be missed tremendously.
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Maureen Mellott My deepest sympathy to Gord’s family. Gord was a family friend with a smile so wide and a heart even bigger. He was ever so kind to my Mother and Father and also to my own family. I will miss him.
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Rick Mark Hosh, you beautiful thing, I join your family and many good friends in letting you know we already miss you and your huge smile and your commitment to enjoying life and seeing the positives in everything and everyone you encountered.
Your time as my housemate at the Hacienda is legend for most of our pals in the tight knit Victoria basketball “mafia”(family). They all seemed to manage a visit or three to join us for…yes…laughs and more laughs. Our own shared “social” events were too many to recount. It was an honor to be partnered with you to speak at Donnie Burrows and Data Tech’s fabulous afternoon event celebrating the excellence in Victoria amateur sports. Oh, and we went to the Strath after….
Finally, I am so happy we reconnected in our December-January phone calls…you you were in amazing spirits while in two hospitals (you said), but the best stories were about your visiting Christie’s regularly and finding your way outside to have a “dart” now and then…now that is a cancer treatment too often undervalued.
Thanks for writing your own personal letter to us, Hosh….just what the Doctor ordered…OK, you get a free shot for that one…
Find the three point line up there and fill it up….maybe Donnie can feed you and Leon can collect some more boards…just for fun.
Trickster
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Grant Boland I have been good friends with Hosh for 45 years, through many years on the court and many more after that on the sidelines coaching. We also spent many hours solving world problems at adjoining barstools. My young son and I roomed with Hosh for a year and a half on McGinnis Rise in the early ’90’s. Many laughs and good memories. He was a good friend and will be missed by many. Say hi to Leon my friend, keep doing the robot!! Condolences to Gord’s family.
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Michael Gains The Doctor was one of a kind and I had so many good memories of playing basketball and travelling from the Island to Tijuana Mx and points beyond with him. Golf, parties and too many good times to count! I am glad that he is pain free and has Leon to share a pint and a story with on the other side. See you over there my friend ❤️
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Heather Munro Dear Wendy, Ollie and family,
My heartfelt sympathy and condolences go out to you during this sad and difficult time. Gord was a great guy and a good friend to so many. I got to know him quite well when he rented my suite for 3 years and we had a lot of laughs.
He will be missed, but not forgotten. His memory will live on In our hearts.
Sending love,
Heather
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Gord Thatcher Going to miss you, Doc…thanks for everything…your friendship, support, generosity, your coaching wisdom, all of the laughs, & the stories…coaching Camosun with you were the most rewarding years of my coaching ‘career’…you gave so much back to the game & the impact you had on all of the players you coached is everlasting…good-bye to a great friend…
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Denise McKinlay Please accept our deepest condolences Wendy and Ollie. Loved that Gord was so appreciated by his peers,the article in the Times Colonist was very well written. We have to believe that he is in a better place.
Denise McKinlay and family?
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Harry John Hitchman Sadly we have lost a legendary character. My first basketball coach back on the Green team at First United Church gym on Friday nights in the mid1960’s. A lot of memories and mutual buddies over the years since. My condolences to Gord’s family. Rest in peace Doc.
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Sherry Sesbrooke Wendy, thinking of you and your family at this very sad and challenging time. It is a great loss for all Gord’s family and friends.
My heartfelt condolences. He will be greatly missed.
Sherry.
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Mary stopa So sorry for your loss-RIP
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Mike Gains Sincere condolences to all of Gordie’s family:(
He was a great friend and will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him
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Dave Mulcahy In life, you’re very lucky if you meet people you like, they like you back, and you become friends. Gord met and liked a lot of people and they liked him back and he made many, many friends. He will always be my best friend and I miss him tremendously.
As kids we played baseball together, as teens to adults we played basketball together, we travelled in Europe together, he was best man at my wedding and we stuck together over the decades. I was just very lucky to be his friend.
Over 40 years ago at Christmas time in the Crown & I Pub a bunch of us would gather and sing Christmas songs from the free song sheet in the Times Colonist. It was an evening of terrible and loud singing, but always full of fun and laughter. Gord was nicknamed the Doctor (after Julius) and during one of those joyous occasions an old friend Sheila cornered him and I’ll never forget she said, “Doctor we love the way you operate!” And I know we all loved the way he operated – the way he was. We all miss you and you will never be forgotten. Love Annie, Jack and Mulcs
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Sandra Harris Dear Wendy & all the family….so very sorry for your loss. I often thought of Gordy over the years, & when I saw him in passing was always greeted by his huge smile. You never forget the special people in your life. I am so glad we exchanged a phone call before his passing. We even had a few good laughs. Sending all my love your way, take great care ❤️❤️ Sandy
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Alix Bawlf I have lots of memories of Gord better known to some as Hosh the Soch. I’d see him everywhere around town & for some reason I always ran into him on the ferry.
I also was a basketball player & I used to attend a lot of basketball games, high school, university etc. I saw Gord play both high school ball & university ball,An awesome player & a great calm presence on his teams.
He was always friendly & interested my high school basketball team & how were we’re doing,
Super sweet guy.
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Paul Harris Thanks for always being kind to me. Always appreciated.
I always enjoyed serving you from behind the bar at the Beagle Pub and Bleue Coyote. There was never a shortage of stories and laughs. You’ll be missed. My condolences to your family and friends. RIP Hosh.