Obituary of Gunars FINVERS

July 6, 1931 – Adazi, Latvia
September 13, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Gunars (Gunnar) Finvers of Calgary, Alberta, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 13, 2021, at the age of 90 years, with his family by his side.

Gunars was born in Adazi, Latvia. He and his family fled Latvia at the close of WWII in front of the invading Russian Army. They lived as refugees in Poland, East Germany, and West Germany before immigrating to Brisbane, Australia in 1950. In 1954 he and his family immigrated to Canada and settled in Edmonton, Alberta, where he would spend most of his life. When his health began to decline, he moved to Calgary to be closer to his son.

In Edmonton, Gunars met his beloved wife Vija, whom he had known since childhood as their family farms were nearby in Adazi, Latvia. They married in 1956 and together raised their three children: Maija, Violet, and Ivars. 

Gunars had many diverse interests and could build and fix almost anything. These traits would influence his children’s careers and lives. Summers spent exploring remote areas of BC while rockhounding and gold panning propelled Maija to a career in geology. Violet became a graphic designer, drawing from the artistic side of Vija, but would show her father’s influence and skill in the physical aspects of creating her art. Gunars’ interest in electronics, which included building his own stereos from vacuum tubes, was passed onto Ivars who became an electrical engineer.

He was a carpenter by trade and a jack of all trades. He built and raced sports cars, created furniture, crafted jewelry, developed his own photographs, and rebuilt cars and homes for all those he cared for. He was a true craftsman who strived for excellence in all that he did, and was a master at solving tough problems with creativity and skill.

Gunars and Vija loved to ballroom dance. When they danced, their skill and elegance caused people to stop and watch.  

He lost Vija to cancer in 1999. It was a tough time without her but after a trip back to Latvia to visit his childhood friend, he returned with a changed spirit. He developed a relationship with Helen, his long-time neighbour, and they would go on to share many of the next years together. They played golf and cards, socialized with friends, and visited Australia a couple of times together.

Gunars’ life would take a dramatic change when, at age 79, he fainted while pruning a tree. The ten foot fall off the ladder left him unconscious and with many serious injuries. He lost most of the use of his right arm and the head trauma likely contributed to the dementia that he would develop in subsequent years. The increasing dementia eventually led Helen and him to separate.

He spent his final years living in Calgary, close to his son. While in the Scenic Acres Retirement Residence he met Katalin, another resident, who added joy back in his life. Eventually a series of falls reduced his mobility and he had to move into the Brentwood Care Centre where he lived out his final days.

He is survived by his children, Maija (Adrian), Violet (John), and Ivars (Kim); four grandchildren, Maggie (Nat), Austin (Bryar), Mackenzie (Allison), and Kristen; and great-grandchild Philippa. He is also survived by his brother John (Rose); and sister Modra of Sydney, Australia.

Gunars was predeceased by his loving wife Vija, his sister Ausma, and his parents Janis and Alma (also known as Renda Blackwell).

Due to the uncertainty imposed by COVID-19 restrictions, a Private Funeral Service will be held. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Gunars Finvers, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.