Neville Ernest Gibson died peacefully at Royal Jubilee Hospital on Wednesday, 23rd August at the age of 88. Neville is survived by his loving wife Jill (Angela); daughters Nancy and Lucinda; sister Gloria; grandchildren Max, Isobel, Liam and Miranda, and his ever-faithful poodle, Pixie.
Born is 1929 in Liverpool, England, Neville was educated at Calday Grange Grammar School, and after graduating from The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in London, he and Jill came to Canada in 1956. In Vancouver, he joined the Canadian subsidiary of the Grosvenor Estate (the family company of the Duke of Westminster), eventually becoming Chairman and CEO of Grosvenor International Holdings, which operated in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. He retired in 1989 after 30 years with Grosvenor.
Neville was a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a former Director of Barclays Bank of Canada, a past President of the Canadian Institute of Public Real Estate Companies, and also served as a Chairman of Crofton House School in Vancouver.
After his retirement and a move to Victoria, Neville became an ardent supporter of the Victoria Symphony Society serving as a director for six years. He enjoyed memberships in the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Uplands Probus Club, the Sir Winston Churchill Society, and the Royal Overseas League in London, England. As a lifelong Sailor who loved the sea, Neville spent many adventurous hours boating in the endlessly changing local waters.
After a private cremation, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Neville’s memory to Victoria Hospice Society or the SPCA’s Animal Cruelty Campaign would be very much appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Lorraine Tanner
-
Betty Wright Dear Jill,
I am so very sorry to learn of Neville’s passing. I so enjoyed our “dog” chats during my volunteer years with the Victoria Symphony Guild. And it was such a joy to work with him, for his charm, keen intelligence, along with his wonderful sense of humour kept us focused, and entertained, as we prepared for special events.
A true gentleman!
My thoughts are with you and your family.
-
John Neal Very sad to read of Neville’s passing. His generosity of spirit, open, and charming humour and honesty were wonderful. A very fine man indeed to be remembered.
My deep condolences to you Jill, and to your family.
John Neal
-
Keith MacLeod I am deeply saddened to learn of Neville’s passing. He was one of the most gracious men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He was always generous and attentive to everyone he encountered. I have always been impressed with his elegant spirit and am inspired to follow his lead.
My heart goes out to Jill and family.
-
Jean Haley My sincere sympathy to Jill and family. It was a true pleasure knowing Neville and he was always a gentleman. He will be missed.
Jean HaleyA former traveller with UVic to the Stratford and Niagara Theatres with both Jill and Neville and such pleasant memories.
-
Marcus Handman Jill, My deepest condolences to you and your family. Neville was indeed a gentleman of the old school, and I was glad that I had a chance to know him.
-
Dallas Chapple Dear Jill,
Len and I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to you. Neville was a prince of a man! I was so lucky to know him (and you!) through your unfailing, generous support of the Victoria Symphony. What an asset to the community Neville was, as well as being kind, generous and caring.
Love,
Dallas and Len
-
Janice and Ian Cowan Dear Jill
Our sincere condolences go out to you and your family. We will surely miss the presence of a truly ladmirable person.
-
Maury Van Vliet On behalf of all Neville’s friends and admirers at the Uplands Probus Club may I express our deepest sympathies to the family and especially his wife Jill. Neville was such a presence in the Club and could always be counted on to provide an astute and penetrating analysis of the topic of the day…much to the discomfort of Speaker at times.
Neville’s engaging nature and vast experience in the world made him a much sought after dinner companion or colleague.
His delightful British accent and upright bearing convinced many he must be from a long line of British aristocrats.
Always with a twinkle in his eye and a warm and ready smile Neville will be impossible to forget.
May you journey in peace.
Maury G Van Vliet, President Uplands Probus Club
-
Maureen Applewhaite Dear Jill and family:
Sincere condolences to you and your family. I have very happy memories of Neville from years past when we held the Symphony Guild potlucks in various places. He was a joy to work with and a warm and kind human being.
Maureen and Robin Applewhaite
-
Zora Creery Dear Jill and family, we have learned ofNeville’so passing with great sadness!We will miss his wit,humour, his stories and our chats at symphony. Please accept our condolences in this difficult time of your life! Neville will be greatly missed! Our thoughts are with you! Mike and Zora Creery
-
FAith Gildenhuys Many people will, as I do, miss Neville, his wry humour and his good cheer. He was a tremendous supporter of music in Victoria and we are so grateful to him and to Jill. It is sad to know that he is gone. My sympathies Jill and his family.
Faith
-
Garrett Lambert Helen and I wish to extend our sincerest condolences to Jill and family. Neville was both interesting and interested, a charming man of many parts, possessed of insight and wry humour. He was a most pleasant companion and will be greatly missed.
-
Elizabeth Murray Condolences to Jill and Neville’s family. Sad to know Neville has passed but pleased to hear it was peaceful. A true gentleman, I enjoyed all my conversations with Neville.
On behalf of the Royal Over-Seas League, BC Chapter
Elizabeth Murray, Branch President
Dear Jill and family,
We are so very saddened at the news of Neville’s passing. Neville has been such a big part of the Victora Symphony for so many years, with all his energy, generous support and good humour. It was always so wonderful to see Neville walking into a concert or event with a smile and good humour. On behalf of the Victoria Symphony’s board, musicians, staff and volunteers we pass along our sincere condolences to Jill and the family.