Obituary of Gary Spence VASSIE

September 7, 1947 – February 28, 2020

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Spence Vassie of Cochrane, Alberta, on Friday, February 28, 2020 at the age of 72 years.

Gary was born in Nipawin, Saskatchewan, on September 7, 1947 and moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 1956.  He graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Great Distinction in Chemical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Science.  Gary was awarded The Athlone Fellowship from Great Britain for his distinguished service in the academic field of Engineering in Canada. 

Gary joined Shell Canada Limited in 1971. He worked as an Engineer in various Resources assignments, including Process Design and Project Manager of the Deep Cut Project at Waterton Gas Plant and Plant Manager at Jumping Pound Gas Plant.  In 1987, Gary was seconded to Shell International Gas Company, London, as Head of Business Development, Africa, and returned to Canada in 1990, as Vice President of Research.  In 1994 he was appointed Natural Gas Director for Shell UK, leading the UK’s gas business in the North Sea and returned to Canada in 1998, as Vice President of Oil Sands Project Integration. 

Gary retired from Shell in 2001.  He was an accomplished woodworker and had a great creative flair.  He began his own custom woodworking company and enjoyed many years of completing renovation and woodworking projects or friends and clients.  In 2004 Gary was enticed back to the corporate world for a short time where he was Vice President of Development for Northwest Upgrading.

Gary was deeply devoted to his wife and children who he loved and respected.  He had immense pride in the achievements of his family and held them in the highest regard.  Gary loved the people his children had become.  He was grateful for his wonderful son-in-law and daughter-in-law and adored his grandchildren.  His greatest joy was time together as a family where he shared his love, mentorship and commitment.

Gary lived his life with a strong personal code of ethics and integrity.  He was loyal, straightforward and did everything with energy and drive.  He had a high level of determination, commitment, and untiring stamina in every aspect of his life.  Gary had an amazing wit, sense of humor and infectious laugh that will always be a part of our memories.  He loved to have fun whether it was dirt biking, fast cars, skiing at full throttle, golfing, or loading up friends and family on his boat. 

Gary will be dearly missed by his loving wife, Valerie; his daughter and son-in-law, Krista and Angus; his son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Heather; and his five grandchildren; his sister and brother-in-law, Gwen and Bill, and their family; brother Keith; brother-in-law John; and numerous cousins.  Gary was predeceased by his father, P.S. (Bud), his Mother, Dorothy Grace, and his stepfather, Alex.

A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held at the Red & White Club (1833 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, AB) on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. 

If friends so desire in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Canadian Blood Services, www.blood.ca, or to The Alberta Cancer Foundation, Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinic, Calgary, 1331 29 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N2. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Gary’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

We wish to extend our deepest thanks to Dr. Mona Shafey, Director of Hematology at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, the staff of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinic, and the staff of Unit 57 for their kind and compassionate care.  Dr. Shafey was relentless in finding treatment for Gary so that he could share more time with us.