Gary Sealey, past President of the KBCA and a long time Beaverbrook community builder, passed away on Monday, Aug 5, 2019.
He will be missed.
I first met Gary Sealey when he recruited me, along with about 20 others in the community, to get involved with the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association in late 2011. His enthusiasm for the community and it’s issues were compelling, including the need to rejuvenate the KBCA as original KBCA members were retiring.
I first met Gary Sealey when he recruited me, along with about 20 others in the community, to get involved with the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association in late 2011. His enthusiasm for the community and it’s issues were compelling, including the need to rejuvenate the KBCA as original KBCA members were retiring.
Gary was the embodiment of volunteering and leading by example – demonstrating the difference a small group (or in his case, an individual) can make on any issue at the Community, City, Canada or the World level - was eye opening. Even more so was that he did so fighting Cancer since the late 90’s, which most people would never have guessed from his energy level.
Gary was also a friend to everyone he came in contact with, always available for a personal chat over a cup of coffee and welcoming all into his home.
An example of Gary’s impact was pulling together the team of community members, including getting support from Bill Teron, plus local Planning and Legal experts, to defend the community from the sudden interest by Developers in multi-story condos/apts in the heart of Beaverbrook in 2011.
This included outreach to other communities and organizations in Ottawa, including the Federation of Community Associations (FCA – where he was President after retiring from KBCA), Heritage Ottawa and many experts in how to effectively fight unwanted development.
He showed myself and others how seeking out and build relationships with other like-minded and impacted community organizations, as well as engaging with Councillors and City Staff is, in many cases, the “critical mass” needed to get things done.
Gary’s Order or Ottawa award in 2014 and other recognition were richly deserved and reflects his impact as a Community Builder, not only in Beaverbrook, but across the World.
Gary’s Obituary (Ottawa Citizen)
Which requests contributions to:
- Y's Owl Maclure Cooperative Centre
- Lambda Foundation for Excellence
Neil Thomson
President, KBCA