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On May 3rd, the world lost one of the good guys. Gary Pavan was born November 26, 1972. Raised in Fruitvale, he graduated from J.L. Crowe and UBC with a BSc in Biology. He spent the last two years living with cancer, but that didn’t stop him from living life to the fullest.

Gary had an adventurer’s soul with a gentle and generous heart. He thought first of others and then himself, every day, all day.

In his 44 years, he lived a truly full life, made deep and lasting friendships and sought out the truest experiences that fed the heart and soul. It was the kind of life he was proud to live and one we were lucky to share with him. Gary was fueled by his two passions - the love of his family and the great outdoors.

Much of Gary’s life was spent outdoors. Traversing the globe with his partner and wife, Vicky. Underwater as a scuba diver, capturing the most magnificent photos at the bottom of the sea. And in the wild, as a Wildlife Biologist and as a chief planner of annual hunting and fishing trips with his Dad and his brothers.

Gary was everyone’s go-to guy. Our own personal MacGyver. If it needed fixing, G would fix it. If it needed to be built, he was there. It was rare to find him lounging at the family cabin on Christina Lake. Most often he would be taking on project after project or tirelessly driving the boat for hours to ensure every skier or wakeboarder got up at least once, always with gentle smile and words of encouragement.

One of Gary’s most enviable qualities was how content he was, living for moments rather than things, comfortable with who he was and what he deemed important. He taught us to value the small things in life and not just chase the big ones, he loved a challenge, and he was always up for a debate.

Gary had limitless time and love for his family. He was a true partner to his wife and best friend Vicky Lipinski, a devoted son to his mother and father, Dan and Marion Pavan, and a role model to his older brothers Mark (and wife Amanda) and David (and wife Nadine). He was also an exceptional and imaginative Zio (Uncle) to his nieces and nephews.

He will be missed by many, beyond measure, just as he was loved.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation (www.klhf.org) in Gary’s name, funds will be directed to an additional, and needed, IV chair.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca

“There is nothing like you, there was nothing like you

and there shall be nothing like you.”



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