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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Gregory Tench on May 18, 2014 in Castlegar, BC. Gordie was born in Trail on August 10, 1931, to Cecil and Anne Tench (nee Gavrilik). After graduating from Trail High he pitched in professional baseball for several farm teams of the Cleveland Browns, finishing in Redding, CA, where he met his late wife Faye in May 1951. They were married three months later at home plate at the Redding baseball park.

Following a baseball injury Gordie worked for some years delivering bread and milk, and then settled into a career in life insurance, which was fitting as he had a genuine interest in the well being of his clients and their families. In 1969 his parents fell into ill health, and so the family packed up and moved to Rossland to take care of them. In 1973 Faye and Gordie moved to the East Kootenay, primarily in Elkford, Sparwood, and Fernie, where he worked as a human resources specialist with Fording Coal and Crows Nest Resources (and also for Lornex at Logan Lake). Gordie personally hired hundreds and hundreds of individuals and had a knack for seeing capability in people that other hirers might have passed on.

Gordie was an enthusiastic member of Lions Club International for most of his life, contributing thousands of volunteer hours to improve communities. He had a deep interest in helping others out through his volunteer work. After leaving the pros, he kept involved in fast-pitch softball, bowled more than one perfect game of ten-pin, and was an avid golfer. He was also very social and loved sharing jokes, often off-colour, which he carefully organized in books. He also enjoyed road trips to visit many friends in the western provinces and states. In the last few years he delighted in having coffee with his old pals at Trail Coffee and Tea.

Most significantly, he had a great and lasting bond with his late wife Faye. They had countless adventures over the years with many good friends, and played cribbage or Scrabble pretty well every single night of the 62 years they were married.

Gordie is survived by sister Pat, sons (and daughters-in-law) Rob (April), Mike (Joanne) and Rich (Sue), niece Susi, nephew Gary, and grandchildren (and their spouses/partners) Arielle, Sydney, Emily, Stephanie, Hannah and Griffin.

At Gordie’s request there will be no funeral. Cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lions Club International. A combined memorial is being planned for Gordie and Faye for June 29 in Rossland. For further details, please contact Mike Tench at mjtench@gmail.com.



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