Saanich Coun. Leif Wergeland laughs as he recalls the time his good friend Bob Gillespie filled in for him at the Capital Regional District board table.
Gillespie, known widely for his outspoken nature as a Saanich councillor, was a meeting stand-out that day and his passionate statements and body language were then detailed in news coverage of the meeting. Only the actions werenB次元官网网址檛 attributed to Gillespie, rather accidentally to Wergeland, whose name tag sat before the councillor in his regular seat among CRD directors.
Gillespie immediately called out Wergeland for benefitting from his charisma. It was a news gaffe that the two delighted in and it still brings a smile to WergelandB次元官网网址檚 face in the week following GillespieB次元官网网址檚 death on Sept. 25.
B次元官网网址淲hen Bob spoke, he spoke with passion,B次元官网网址� Wergeland said. B次元官网网址淗e had an ability through his personality to work with people of all political stripes and he was respected for that. Even though they didnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily agree, he was able to work with them. He had his views and some very, very strong opinions at times.B次元官网网址�
Gillespie lived his entire life in Saanich, serving on council from 1990 until 2008. He died at 82.
Wergeland first met Gillespie through their time together on council and continued to meet near weekly ever since.
B次元官网网址淥ver the years we drank a lot of coffee at Tim Hortons and tried to solve some of the worldB次元官网网址檚 problems B次元官网网址� talked about family and sports and community involvement,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hat was neat about him was that he was a straight forward uncomplicated person and heB次元官网网址檇 give his opinion on how how he felt whether he was in the majority or the minority.B次元官网网址�
Gillespie was known in many capacities, as the owner of Gillespie Electric, an outspoken councillor and an advocate for local food production. He was instrumental in bringing in the wholesale water rate for farmers, believing that there as no point to protecting farmlands if farmers couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford to farm them.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檒l be fondly remembered by the Saanich community,B次元官网网址� said Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard. B次元官网网址淗e had his own brand of politics and policies. He wasnB次元官网网址檛 afraid to stand by himself sometimes, but he spoke from the heart and always tried to keep a sense of humour.B次元官网网址�
Saanich South MLA Lana Popham knew Gillespie best for his work within the agricultural community after having first met him during her days as farmer and a commissioner of the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, on which Gillespie was the representative from Saanich council.
B次元官网网址淲e really hit it off because he really wanted to see younger people getting into farming,B次元官网网址� Popham said. B次元官网网址淗e was always very supportive and he inspired me because he never seemed to give up.B次元官网网址�
Though Gillespie was non-partisan, he backed the politician based on her commitment to farming, she said.
B次元官网网址淓ven though IB次元官网网址檓 43 years old, he would always say, B次元官网网址榊ouB次元官网网址檙e doing a good job, kid,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Popham said. B次元官网网址淗e was always at the events that I held and seeing his face in the crowd, seeing him smile and give kind of a reassuring look, it was very sweet and IB次元官网网址檓 going to miss him a lot.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淕ood olB次元官网网址� Bob,B次元官网网址� Leonard said, will be remembered in many capacities, from his charitable work and determined and sometimes stubborn presence on council, to his history of hijinks as a young boy growing up in Saanich.
B次元官网网址淭here are different parts to Bob, different stages of his life, that the community will always be fond of,B次元官网网址� Leonard added.
Gillespie is survived by his son Doug, daughter Susan Thackeray, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
B次元官网网址淏ob was just a great guy to have as a friend,B次元官网网址� Wergeland said.
A public celebration of GillespieB次元官网网址檚 life is planned for 2 p.m., Oct. 12, at the Church of the Nazarene, 4277 Quadra St. All are welcome. For details contact 250-888-6490.
nnorth@saanichnews.com
