In Memory of Tom Gillespie

We are sorry to announce that Tomas Walter Gillespie,  our secretary treasurer on the Friends of Ecological 

Reserves Board, passed away in hospital on November 26th at the age of 68.  Tom lived  

with lung cancer over the past year, but continued to maintain his  commitment to several environmental organizations in that difficult time. We reflect on all that Tom did so quietly and consistently for these organizations and for all of us who care about the environment.  He will be missed and we will have to reorganize to fill the big gap he has left.

 

 

In January of 2012, Tom Gillespie, a long-time volunteer was  presented with an Acorn Award from the Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team.  This link with that website provides further information on Tom’ s life and extensive volunteer contributions.

 

 

His contributions as a volunteer to many environmental organizations in  the Victoria area was quite amazing .

• One of the founders of GOERT
• One of the founders of the Vertebrates at Risk Recovery Implementation Group (RIG).
•  He was also the founding Treasurer of the Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society (GOMPS),
• Treasurer for the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Society
• Volunteer for the Victoria Natural History Society,
• Volunteer for the BC Purple Martin Stewardship and Recovery Program.
• Treasurer of the Board of he Friends of Ecological Reserves.

Tom was born in Vancouver and spent most of his life on Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands. He was a commercial fisherman in his early years and he loved wildlife and natural areas and spent most of his time counting, banding and caring for birds. He is survived by his son Burke,  grandson Kyle and brothers John and Sandy.

Celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday, December 17 , 2013 from 1:30-4:00 pm at the Pacific Forestry centre, 506 Burnside Road Victotia, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations in is honour can be made to Rocky Point Bird Observatory, Victoria Natural history Society, Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team, Friends of Ecological reserves or the BC Western Purple Martin Recovery Program.

To leave condolence please visit www.earthsoption.com