Celebrating Gary Alexander Robertson
Little did I know that the first time I met Gary, it would be the beginning of a love story that would span thirty-five wonderful years.
It all began during a time of great change for teachers in British Columbia. Teachers across the province had voted to form a union, and each district was working hard to negotiate their first collective agreement. Gary had already made a name for himself as an excellent resource for crafting strong contract language, especially maternity leave clauses. Being new to this kind of work, I sought out Gary’s expertise. What began as a writing session turned into a date, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Gary lived as large as his 6’5” stature. During our courtship, he “road tested” me on the back of his Goldwing motorcycle, and together we travelled all over the province. But it was during a trip to the Grand Canyon that we both realized something special was happening between us.
Gary viewed life as one big adventure, and our marriage was filled with many of them. Though our story began on two wheels, Gary’s heart always belonged to the water. Having served six years in the Navy right after high school, he was happiest when surrounded by waves. We spent about seven years exploring the inlets of the Pacific Northwest on our 32-foot Bayliner, Restless Too. Eventually, Gary decided he needed a bigger boat, so we bought a 52-foot steel Kristen sailboat named Forever & Ever, complete with a dinghy called Amen. That boat became our home for eleven unforgettable years as we sailed from Haida Gwaii all the way to Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Along the way, we shared countless adventures and built friendships that have lasted a lifetime.
When we eventually decided to move ashore, Gary’s love of exploration didn’t end. He returned to motorcycling, this time with two different Harleys. When age began to catch up with him, he switched to a Spyder so he could keep exploring. And when even that became too demanding, Gary simply adapted again, this time trading the Spyder for a 45-foot Super C motorhome. Together, we journeyed as far north as Dawson City, Yukon, and as far south as the Salton Sea in California. It was during that final trip south that cancer revealed itself, and we made the difficult journey home.
Upon our return, Gary was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer and given four to six months to live. True to form, he met that challenge with courage, grace, and practicality, getting our “ducks in a row” with his usual precision. He also made the decision to use MAID when the time came, wanting to leave this world on his own terms, with dignity. But in classic Gary fashion, four to six months turned into a full year. He was far from ready to give up. However, in early March 2024, cancer reared its ugly head one last time and this time, it beat ‘the big guy’.
Gary’s love for his family was enormous. He was their biggest cheerleader. Gary had a way of making everyone feel capable of anything, always encouraging them to try their best and reminding them that they could overcome any challenge. The joy he found in his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, shone brightly in his eyes whenever he saw them or spoke of them. His pride in his family was boundless, and his love will continue to guide and strengthen them in the years to come.
This tribute would not be complete without mentioning Gary’s love for the Masonic brethren. He was a dedicated member of Goldstream Masonic Lodge #161 and San Juan Lodge #175 of Washington State. He found the activities he engaged in at both lodges to be enriching and meaningful. The friendships fostered through his participation are cherished by both of us.
Gary lived his life with courage, curiosity, and compassion, and he left the world a better place for having been in it. His journey may have come to an end, but the wake of his love and laughter continues in all of us.
By Dayle Robertson