Condolences
To My dear Friend Gib Clarke February 20, 2022
Gib and I first met in the early 1980's during a Board of Director's Selection Committee meeting for a new Executive Director for the 1,000, bed 5 Hospital Calgary and District 7 Auxiliary Hospital and Nursing Home organization.
He was one of the 7 Board members assigned the task of recruiting a new leader. for District 7.
Following this process, and for several years we workd together with the Board to constantly improve, and maintain ,the services and excellent reputation of the District for the citizens of Calgary, and surrounding areas.
Aside from regular Board and Committee meetings we were invited to attend an International Conference of Worldwide Leaders in Multi Facility Management, in Sydney Australia..
Board Chairman, Dianne Mirosh, myself as CEO, and Gib, as a senior Board member were invited to the event and were well received by the delegates from many countries around the world.
Following the Conference Gib and I agreed that on the way back to Calgary that we would stop in Fijii to tour the islands and take the remarkable Blue Lagoon Cruise of the Islands.
This was a memorable trip and a highlight displaying Gib's adventuresome nature and swimming skills,evident when he chose to swim to shore from our boat, which had docked for the night in a black lagoon near shore, All passengers were going to be ferried to shore for a island dinner, and special ceremony, but Gib did not want to wait and plunged into the dark bay and swam
over one half a miles to shore We tried to discourage him but he wanted to swim and did.so.
The next morning whie walking on the shore with Gib we were startled to see a 25 foot long Great whie Shark , slowly swim past us, about 25 feet from shore. We all thanked God that the shark was not cruising the night before to say hello to Gib.
Our adventure ended a few days later in Calgary after a wonderful trip to Austratlia and Fijii and is one we never did forget.
Gib and I got back into our usual Board , adminiatrative roles for several years until I moved to Toronto for another position. Gib was a responsible, interested, and participative Board member who cared for our residents and staff. He was always prepared and alway contributed his wisdom to The District. and the citizens of Calgary.
After moving East we remained in contact and our conversations were always interesting.
I will miss Gib very much and am sorry we could not have had some time together at Sylvan Lake next summer..
My sincere condolences to his family--may God bless and keep you always.
Sincerely Claude Halpin
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