J. Gary Lusk
October 16, 2018
Peacefully, at home with family on Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 in his 80th year. Beloved husband of Judy (nee McEwan) Lusk for 62 years. Loving father of Cindy Lusk (Steve), Stewart Lusk (Penny) and Stephanie McNally (Trevor). Cherished grandfather of Jennifer, Andrea, Ryan, Aidan, Colin and great-grandfather of Ethan and Monica. Dear brother of Ilene Stewart (Keith) and the late Reta Pyke (Tom). Missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. Gary was a respected staff member at Western University throughout his 42 years as Technical Officer in the Soils Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering. At Western, Gary felt privileged to work with students and faculty from all over the world, many of whom became great friends. His contribution to their research and consulting projects was well known and highly valued. Gary retired in 2004. Gary and his family have many fond memories of the almost 30 years spent enjoying the cottage he loved and cared for on the Bruce Peninsula. He was a founding member of the Thames Valley Woodturners Guild, from which his passion and mastery of woodturning grew. Gary was also an avid cyclist and enjoyed his travels. Gary was diagnosed with ALS in the summer of 2015. He met the challenges brought his way by ALS with continued good humor and strength of spirit. ALS Canada and the surrounding ALS community have been invaluable to Gary and his entire family. The wide range of personal services, assistive equipment and general support they have provided went such a long way to fostering quality of life on an otherwise impossible journey. Our sincerest thanks to Dr. Christen Shoesmith and her team at ALS Clinic at University Hospital, Charlene Spector (Ontario Regional Manager, ALS Canada), the Communication Technology Clinic (Grand River Hospital), Cindy Beckett (Case Coordinator, LIHN), Stacie Bergeron (RN, Paramed) along with the many compassionate PSWs who took great care of him. We are deeply grateful for the support of family and friends throughout Gary’s final years. Visitation will be held on Monday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where the funeral service will be conducted on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Private interment. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Gary are asked to consider the ALS Society of Canada.
Leave a tribute for J. Gary Lusk
Leave a tribute
(Donated to ALS Society of Canada)
(Donated to ALS Society of Canada)
(Donated to ALS Society of Canada)
(Donated to ALS Society of Canada)
(Donated to ALS Society of Canada)
Gary was will always be remembered by me for his good humour and gentle manner.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Gary's passing I first got to know Gary when I was a grad student at UWO in the 70"s. Together we carried out field research for my thesis supervisor. I got to know Gary really well ten and we developed a great friendship. He was able to make almost everything needed in the soils lab and taught me how to use the lathe there. We both shared an interest in woodwork and I spent some evenings in his home workshop on timber projects. The lab had acquired a state of the art programmable calculator. This was years before personal computers. Together we programmed all the undergrad soils experiments and coupled these to an IBM selectric typewriter. This was all done in machine language that we worked out together. Always an innovator and always with the best interest of others at heart. A keen camper he lent me his canoe one weekend so I could explore more of Ontario and the areas he loved. What a wonderful man. My heartfelt condolences to Gary's family from Australia
I was sorry to hear about Gary's passing. He was a good friend and mentor since my days as a Grad Student in the Faculty of Engineering in the mid 70's. Although I was not a Geotechnical Grad Student, that didn't seem to matter to Gary as he welcomed me into the soils group even if I was a "structural" type! He was willing to provide advice (or instruction if one needed help with a piece of equipment) in a patient and caring manner to all who had the good fortune to cross paths with him on a professional (or personal) matter. He had an amazing career at Western and touched so many lives in such a positive manner - it was a privilege to have known him. He will be greatly missed by all.
We were so sorry to hear the news about Gary. He was such a good and kind man and dedicated colleague who helped many here at Western. He was extremely organized in the lab. He was an innovator and was so valuable - he was capable of making any new equipment once the idea was shown to him. Some equipment he designed and fabricated are still functioning. Both the Department and the Geotechnical Research Centre has greatly benefited from his ingenuity. He will be greatly missed by all. Regards, K.Y. Lo on behalf of the Department
Gary was the best person I have ever met in my life. He was the reason why I fall in love with Canada and Canadians after I came in 1995 as an refuge. His help to me as an colleague and friend was tremendous. I have missed him at UWO every day since he retired. Someone so special can never be forgotten. Silvana
Gary taught me many things, as he did for other young engineers he trained and influenced. Many of these things were demonstrated rather than spoken. For example, there was the high quality of his kind and patient interactions with the people he worked with, and the clean and efficient way he ran the labs and produced excellent results. The legacy of his training and influence will last many decades to come. Ian Moore
Judy, Stewart, Cindy and Stephanie and families...I am so sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathies to you all.
We want to express our sincere condolences on behalf of our family. I know that Gary's last few years were a very difficult time for all involved. Take comfort that he no longer suffers and is at peace. May cherished memories of Gary comfort all of you now and in the future. Love, Diane, Chuck, Jodi & Julie & their families
John and I would like to extend our hearfelt condolences to you Judy and all of your family. I enjoyed many great chats with Gary when he was my dental patient and then I was so thankful he took so many of my late Dads woodworking tools. A lovely man whose life touched many peples hearts ...Rest in Peace Gary ...
My sincere condolences to Cindy and all the family during this very sad time. One of my fond childhood memories is when your dad took us on a canoe trip. May your treasured memories of him bring you comfort during this difficult time.
May fond memories of your father bring you comfort during this hard time in your life. Our most sincere condolences to you and your family. Liette & Lorne
Judy,Cindy,Stewart and Stephanie Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the sad news of Gary's passing. I had the great pleasure to work alongside Gary for over 20 years in the Soils Lab at Western. He was a man with a wealth of experience, both practical and theoretical, and the gift of passing it on to all he interacted with. I will miss him. Love Wilbert Logan Shelley McColl
To Gary's family - my sincere condolences. Gary probably did half the experimental work of all the students who passed through his lab, and he did it with kindness, patience, and humour. He will be fondly remembered by so many who benefited from his care.
Dear July, my deepest condolence to you and family. Gary was forever remembered as a kind man and dedicated colleague who helped me and many faculty, staff and students at Western. May he Rest In Peace and Love.
To all of Gary's family - Our sincere condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone at this difficult time. Carol Lusk (Ken's wife - Chatham, Ont.) and family
Judy, Cindy, Stewart, Stephanie. It is with sadness that we hear of Gary's passing, but the memories of happy times come flooding back - Gary in the lab at Western when both Phil and Paul were there to admire and learn from Gary, our socisl times so long ago at Golder functions. May you be comforted by sll the wonderful memories!
We are so thankful for the many years and occasions we shared with Gary. Our best man. The canoe trips. Expo. The family gatherings. Always a gentleman and friend. We will miss him. Judy and family you are in our prayers. Love Chuck and Eileen
Judy and family..during this time of grief we pray for the peace of God to surround all of you, and give you comfort. Gary will forever be missed by all of us, this quiet, kind man, always with the smile on his face and his Tilley on his head. Love, Joan, Tom, Lori, Chris and Jacob
Judy and Cindy - my deepest condolences to you and your family. Gary was the greatest guy. He made every day coming in to the lab at Western a fun and friendly experience. He was a vast source of knowledge and would share his wisdom without hesitation and with a great sense of humour. I've often wondered what he really thought about all of us bungling grad students coming into his lab, messing up the equipment, and trying to learn and earn our degrees. With his 40 years of experience, he knew much more about what we were trying to do then we did! I think back on those days with fond memories. I will miss him.
Judy, Cindy, Stewart, and Family: My sincerest condolences. Gary was an incredible teacher, supporter, guide--and joker!--for so many of us in Western's soil lab. He made a profound difference in my career and outlook. So many wonderful memories. PMB.
Make a donation
If you wish to make a donation, please consider one of the charities listed below. You will be taken to the charity's website to process your payment.
ALS Society of Canada
Notify family of your donation
Kindly submit the form below if you wish to notify the family of your donation.Memories
Dear Cindy, Judy and the Lusk family. Lori and I send you our sincerest condolences on the passing away of Gary. He was 'one of a kind' - a truly brilliant, remarkable and humble gentleman. It is my great pleasure and privilege to have known and worked with him during my studies at Western, and afterwards as well. I certainly learned a lot from him. I always enjoyed our interactions and his company. Gary had a significant positive influence on me. We will always remember him with a smile.
~ Dennis and Lori Becker