Geoff Gontier

December 15, 1946 - January 18, 2020
On Tuesday, January 28, 2020 George Jeoffrey Gontier, husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law and uncle passed away peacefully in Surrey Memorial Hospital at 73 years of age with family by his side. Geoff will forever be lovingly remembered by his wife, Francine, of 47 years, children: Michelle Gontier (Gary Nakhuda), Paul Gontier and Matthew (Veronica) Gontier, seven grandchildren: Ben, George, Frances, Austin, Kadence, Siena and Celine and sisters: Primrose Gontier, Margaret Brunner, Marjorie Morrison (Ken Nault) and Anita Gontier. Geoff was predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Anita, brothers Roy and Colin and infant sister Nancy. Geoff will be missed by sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends throughout Canada, USA and around the world in Australia, New Zealand, England, Italy, Kenya, Seychelles and South Africa.
Born in Nanyuki, Kenya December 15, 1946 with twin sister, Margaret, Geoff spent his childhood mainly in Nairobi, Kenya amongst a large family. His apprenticeship in industrial/commercial refrigeration and air conditioning took him to jobs working throughout Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
In 1970 Geoff immigrated to Canada meeting his future wife, Francine, in Vancouver, BC. Originally employed by McDonald Appliance in Vancouver Geoff ultimately established his own business and storefront in White Rock, BC servicing residential and commercial appliances for 22 years while recycling refrigerant coolant for Metro Vancouver.
Geoff enjoyed go-cart racing in East Africa, exploring the world, meeting new people and never sitting still. His hard-earned retirement years found him doting on grandchildren by building swings in the backyard, making curries and samosas in the kitchen, travelling or dreaming up projects that he could build or repair. He was able to invent a "fix" for just about anything mechanical. Geoff will best be remembered by his investment in family, strong work ethic and genuine willingness to help friends and neighbours accompanied by an anecdote and a well-timed joke in English, Creole or Swahili.
A memorial will be held on Saturday, March 28th, 2:00pm at Johnston Heights Church, 9612 - 152nd Street, Surrey, BC, V3R 4G4.
In lieu of flowers Memorial Donations may be made to the Canadian Lung Association or the Evangelical Free Church of Canada Mission "Kenya's Kids" Fund Account # 2 - 2939 https//donate.efccm.ca; Box 850 Langley, BC, V3A 8S6 or phone 1-877-305-3322.