ALLAN FLOYD GUSDAL

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

• Jo-Ann, your father was one of the first bankers that I did business with in my early career. I remember my meetings with him like they were yesterday (30 plus years ago). He was so pleasant and helpful, always interested, with words of encouragement and a twinkle in his eye. But he always ended our meeting with a momentary subtle but stern look, no words needed, the message - "don't let me down". He was a very good man - my sympathy to you and your family on your loss. From Garry (Darcy) Smith - one of your many friends at Buffalo Point - Posted by: Garry Smith (friend) on: Nov 29, 2018

• Eulogy for Allan Floyd Gusdal (April 12, 1935 – November 14, 2018) By Guy Gusdal How do you capture a man’s life in a few words and paragraphs? I’m not sure that’s possible instead I’ll try capture the essence of parts of it and with that I hope you’ll glimpse how truly special our father was. And if I’ve done a decent job of this, by the time I’m finished some of those pieces will help you to recall your own memories of our father, Al Gusdal. I would like to thank all the friends and family that are here today, particularly those that traveled from afar. There are a number of familiar faces, a few of them I was lucky enough to get reacquainted with this past summer. It is great to see Dad’s sisters, Wendy & Marilyn, and his nephews Brent and Gerald, all of whom travelled from Calgary. We all thank you sharing this time with us. Regrettably, not everyone was able to attend today and many kind words were received from those that couldn’t attend. We would also like to thank them for their wishes, condolences and wonderful stories of Dad. Dad loved sports. Playing or watching. I’m sure there are more than few sports fans here because if you were a part of Al’s life, it probably had some association with sports, be it golf, curling, baseball, hockey, football, or pretty much anything. He loved them all. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to most of you that the Grey Cup game is this weekend. I’m sure that Dad would be very happy if anyone’s reason for not coming was because they were attending the Grey Cup in Edmonton this Sunday. I’m fairly certain he would have said it was “APROPOS”. Dad, and Mom, loved their Grey Cup parties. I for one had some mixed feelings about the Grey Cup parties. The parties themselves were GREAT! It was the preparation for the party that that was the DOWNSIDE. The kids that could drive were sent for food, and, if you were old enough,… beer. Everyone else was required to clean the house which usually started a few days prior to the party. To this day I still don’t know why we had to clean the Living Room, since we were only allowed in it about 3 times a year. Conspicuously, Dad never seemed to be around much for those few days prior to the Grey Cup day. There always seemed to be a bonspiel, work, or something else that kept him away from the house. But come game day he was front and centre making sure everything was ready for the guests to arrive and he did whatever Mom needed for last minute cleaning because he knew the love of his life needed her house to be PERFECT when the guests arrived. Eventually, the guests did arrive on game day, and that was always exciting. For many years the house on Radcliffe welcomed the Whitelams and MacKenzies (long time family friends from Selkirk), and then the Laidlaws joined as regular attendees. Dad loved those times surrounded by friends and family. “APROPOS”……. I used that word earlier. It is funny how a word or a phrase can catch hold in your memory. How it just sticks there, with feelings and thoughts getting attached to it. “Apropos” means “to introduce something that is related to or connected with something that has just been said”. Now, Dad wasn’t someone that used flowery speech nor did he ever speak over someone’s head. He believed in saying it simply and to the point. But there was a time when I heard him use the word “apropos”. I can’t recall exactly when or what the conversation was about; but it was during one of the many Saturday night conversations Mom and Dad had at the kitchen table on Radcliffe. The doors to the kitchen closed and the room full of secondhand smoke. This was when Mom still smoked and Dad would have a couple to keep her company while they enjoyed a couple of rum and cokes. I only ever heard him say that word that one time but it stuck with me at that moment. Over the years I never understood why that word stuck with me but I’m glad it did because whenever I hear it or say it, I’m right back at that kitchen table, breathing all that secondhand smoke, hearing his and mom’s voice. I’m sharing this story with you because I’m positive that you all have a trigger, a smell, word or situation, that helps you recall something about our Dad or someone else you love. Treasure those connections because they are keystones that can carry you through life’s the ups and downs. I mentioned curling earlier and Dad was a strong curler, skipping teams for many years; but one of Dad’s other passions in life, besides his kids and his grandchildren, was golf. When Southwood Golf & Country Club opened each year, every Saturday and Sunday he would be up and out of the house before anyone else even thought of getting up. Well…….., except for Dean, he might have been coming home as Dad was heading out the garage door. I have found that same passion for golf, unfortunately, I look back at that time with regret, as I could have been playing golf every weekend with him and any other day as well (Dad would buy a family membership every year). The only excuse I can provide for that critical error in judgement was being young and stupid. I’m a little older now and the passage of time has now given me an appreciation for just how much he loved that game (and his kids) because he would, at the drop of a hat, be willing to play a second 18 holes on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. We only needed to ask him. I’m not sure where he found the energy but he did. Dad, was also known for his sense of humour. As my wife, Rina, like to refer to it as his “black humour”. I recall one of the first weekends after Mom and Dad purchased the cottage on Sportsman’s Bay near Vermillion Bay, Ontario. Myself, Brad and Dad decided we wanted to do some fishing that weekend. So being dutiful, law-abiding citizens we made the trip down to Sportsman’s Lodge to get our fishing licences. We all filled out our fishing licence applications. The application asked for all the typical stuff, date of birth, height, weight, eye colour, etc... Brad and I got our licences first. Then the owner was going through dad’s application making sure everything was filled out correctly and, as he was focused on the form he said to Dad, “oh, you missed something…. What’s your hair colour?”. As he looked up, dad took off his hat and said “pick one”. It took me a few more years after that to fully develop the “Gusdal” Dome. Now, I’m going to start wrapping this up, but before I do that I’d like to first tell you a little bit about the other thing I loved about those Grey Cup parties: politics. Dad loved his politics; he was true blue to the core. I was hesitant to bring this up because you never really know how this topic of conversation is going to be received; especially given the current state of affairs with our southern neighbour. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt that Dad would be angry with me if I didn’t talk about it. What I loved about those political discussions over half-time or after the game were that they involved the complete political spectrum of the day: from orange – to red – to blue. But the discussions (I don’t think you could have ever called them arguments) were about ideology. They were never personal, they didn’t devolve into the personal attacks that seem to common place now and for the past 2 or 3 years. These were discussions among friends with different points of view and those friends came back year after year. Dad taught us by example that you could dislike someone’s idea but you could and should always respect and remain friends with the person. Well, now I really do need to wrap this up. Our father taught us many things but I think the most important thing he taught us was how to be a good person. Dad you will never be truly gone as that core value is something that has been passed on to generations today and will be passed on to those yet to come. Dad you were an amazing Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Brother, Uncle and friend. You will be missed but never forgotten. Finally, Dad was a serious man at times, but he has a sense of humour. So if during these past few minutes your were able to chuckle or laugh then that would truly be “Apropos”. - Posted by: Guy Gusdal (Son) on: Nov 26, 2018

• We were sorry to read about your father's passing. We have many good memories of when we were neighbours - watching our children play together - exchanging gardening tips - memorable New Year's Eve parties with other neighbours, etc. The Turnock Family - Posted by: Betty Turnock (Neighbour) on: Nov 25, 2018

• To all the GUSDAL family. I was so surprised to read of your dad’s passing. I have many happy memories of the old banking days with Doreen and Al. I am certain he is in a happier place, together with your mom. My deepest sympathies to you all. Elaine - Posted by: Elaine Alexander (Friend) on: Nov 22, 2018

• Al was a wonderful man & had great banking qualities. He was our personal banker & good friend. Our deepest, heartfelt condolences to all the family. - Posted by: Jon & Carol Kreviazuk (Friend) on: Nov 22, 2018

• Remember fondly those days at the "old" Southwood track back in the 70s and 80s with the WAGAN Group. Rest in peace, Al. - Posted by: Kit Grant (Golfing friend from Southwood.) on: Nov 21, 2018

• So sad to learn of Al's passing. For the many years I knew Al, he was truly a nice guy, a good friend and a regular golf colleague at the original Southwood Golf & Country Club where we tipped more than a few in the 19th hole. It has been a long time since we both attended any annual Southwood Past President events but I always looked forward to sitting together with Al at the event dinner to get caught up. - Posted by: Henry Goy (Friend) on: Nov 21, 2018

• A great human being. Loved and admired by the community of Selkirk. I was honored to have known him in Selkirk. - Posted by: Maurice Sarchuk (Friend) on: Nov 21, 2018

• Jo-Ann and Doug, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Deepest sympathies. Ryan and Holly McClelland - Posted by: Holly McClelland (Friend) on: Nov 21, 2018