Edward Laurence Gully, 1910 - 2006

Edward Laurence Gully, also known as Papoo, was born June 21, 1910 in Grouard to Edwin and Marie Rose Gully.

In his 20s he was a commercial fisherman on Lesser Slave Lake. He helped build and sail a raft up the Peace River with friend Mike Krutko. He also rode the rails in the 1930s finding work daily wherever he went.

Enlisting in the Army in Edmonton in 1941, Ed served with the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He saw action in Belgium and France. He was wounded in Caen and recovered in England before returning to active duty. He was a member of the liberation forces of Holland. After the war, he worked for the City of Vancouver Water Works and later the National Defence. He returned to commercial fishing on the West Coast on his gill-netter Kip in the 1960s and moved to Nanaimo in 1971.

Retirement found Ed and his beloved wife, Dorothy, migrating south with the snowbirds to Arizona and Mexico every year from 1986 until Dorothy’s health failed in 1998.

He was a long-standing member of Branch 10 Royal Canadian Legion as well as the NDP.

Ed finally rested in his easy chair until his passing April 20, 2006, at home.

A genuine and decent man, he chose integrity over opportunity. He had an infectious laugh and a love of children. He kept up with news of his family and the world to his last day.

Ed is lovingly survived by: brother Robert Ermoff, of Edmonton; sister Annie Sloat of Faust; his children Wally of Prince Rupert, John (Julie) of Merritt, Sharon (Burt) of Chilliwack, stepchildren Patsy, Kerry and Lyle of Vancouver, Brian (Mary) of Quesnel, Brent (Penny) of Lac La Biche, Gene (Patty) and Trellis (Ashley) of Nanaimo; 23 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; numerous cousins, nephews and nieces including Sharon and Shelly of Nanaimo and his buddy Elva.

Ed was predeceased by: his wife, Dorothy, in 2002; siblings George Ermoff, James Ermoff, Gladys Belcher and Eileen Pierce; daughter Ellen Ogilvie; grandson Shannon Craig; and granddaughter Debra Graham.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. on April, 28 at First Memorial Chapel, 1720 Bowers Road, Nanaimo with Fred Massey officiating. Interment followed at Cedar Valley Memorial Field of Honour.

Donations to Variety, the Children’s Charity or to a charity of your choice are welcomed.

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