E. Gillis (Gil) Evans

Edward Gillis (Gil) Evans
February 12, 1930 – March 26, 2014

Gil died peacefully in St. Paul’s Hospital on Wednesday March 26th. He was born in Edmonton on February 12, 1930. He is predeceased by his mother Sophie, father William, sister Gwen, and his beloved dog Abby. He is survived by his wife Isabelle of Calgary, his nieces, nephews, Doug, Susan, and Betty, and by a host of friends.

For thirteen years Gil was a broadcaster and morning show host for CKUA in Edmonton. He moved to Vancouver in the early seventies and made his home in Kitsilano. Gil’s second career was in information and referral, bringing people and services together. He was instrumental in setting up Information Services Vancouver and was its Executive Director through its expansion and transformations until his retirement in 1999. He was also involved in the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and served as its North American president for two years.

Tennis, and the friends he made playing it, were a large part of Gil’s life and much time was spent on the Dunbar Tennis Courts. While Parkinson’s disease robbed Gil of his ability to play tennis, the friendships remained ever strong. He enjoyed nothing more than a good tennis talk, and was asking about how tennis was going up to the very end.

A Celebration of Gil’s Life will be held on Saturday, April 12th at two o’clock at 170l Waterloo Street – the home of his long time friend Diana Snow and Bob Mansfield. If you knew Gil please come and help us celebrate a life to be proud of.

Published in Vancouver Sun and/or The Province on Apr. 5, 2014

Guest Book

I am so sad knowing that you are no longer just a phone call away. But I will forever hear that warm, wonderful voice of yours in my head and remember all the good times. Rest Peacefully Dear Friend.

Chris Paton, Vancouver, British Columbia

Goodbye, my friend.

I will forever remember the best move I ever made – hiring you as an announcer for CKUA Edmonton. Much of the radio station’s current success grew from your efforts over those years.

Jack Hagerman, Edmonton, Alberta

Though I knew Gil by reputation as a great broadcaster, my only personal encounter was meeting him at CKUA Radio’s 75th anniversary celebration in 2002, which he graciously and I think, happily attended and re-connected with many of his past CKUA colleagues, including Robert Goulet. I hope that opportunity added some joy to his life, as he added so much joy to others. He was a true gentleman. Condolences to his immediate and extended families, from all of us in his CKUA family.

Ken Regan, Edmonton, Alberta

I concur with the appraisals of others you’ll find here: Gil was a remarkable broadcaster. It was a distinct pleasure to be his Program Director and my wife and I treasure the several meetings we had with Gil in Vancouver in subsequent years. It will take some time for my sadness to lift.

Pat McDougall, Ottawa, Ontario