Malcolm Lowry Gardiner passed away very peacefully on November 4, 2009 at Royal Inland Hospital where he came into this world on March 11, 1922. He was 87 years old.

His great, strong, beating heart finally beat its last beat. When he and his heart were both strong they were quite a team. They weathered two open heart surgeries that added many great years to his life for which we are all eternally grateful. As always his much beloved wife Mary Lou was by his side; this gave him the peace to quietly let go and she made sure he was not alone on his final journey. He never missed a chance to say that she was the love of his life, how well she cared for him and that he would not be here if not for her. Those of us who love him know he chose his time and that if he could have worked the logistics yesterday he'd have made Alexis Lake his final resting place; that leaves it up to his family to carry out "Plan B".

Malcolm grew up in Kamloops and out at Shuswap Lake where they had a summer home. He rode all over town with his friends, his bike and his dog, Jiggs. As many stories go they were a bunch of rascals and good friends who stayed in touch into their latest years. He really enjoyed his friends and they often recalled their many hilarious memories. There is a special bond that comes from living in a small town (yes, Kamloops once was) where everybody knows you. Not always a good thing when your father is a member of the local police department. At the lake he and Jiggs would take off alone into the hills for a night or two with a couple of raw eggs in his pocket to share. He talked about the two of them facing off a bear on one of those trips; when asked if he was scared his response was ...no... This Jiggs was the first in line of Jiggs' - 5 more in total - all Airedales. Of course other Airedales needed homes too and the Gardiner's opened their door. Malcolm loved his dogs for their loyalty and the love they gave back to him. He said he didn't trust anybody who couldn't be good to a dog. His children learned their love of animals from him; what better legacy to leave to your children.

Malcolm entered the RCAF in May 1941 where he was assigned to the RAF as a Wireless Air Gunner. He flew with the 83rd Pathfinder Squadron and was one of the very few who came home. When asked if he was ever scared he said "No, we were too young to know enough to be scared. We had a job to do". His best friend Dunbar Boyd was killed in Holland, he never got over it. It was a source of pain all his life. He said the war "broke his heart". Malcolm flew many missions before coming home in October 1944. It was 60 years before he shared any of his stories and they were fleeting.

Once he got home he never wanted to leave Canada. He worked as an Air Traffic Controller, a BC Conservation Officer, and for a short time, a Fireman with the CNR. In his semi-retirement years he enjoyed selling trucks to the local ranchers. He loved to travel this great land and tell everybody what a great country it is. He loved to be outdoors cutting wood with his friends, at the Alexis Lake cabin sitting outside on the porch talking with friends and staring at the lake or inside looking at the fireplace his brother Harry built (while everyone else melted from the heat). He liked the hunt in hunting; in later years not the kill. He loved to attend gun shows because he appreciated the art and craftsmanship. He loved target practice and was an expert marksman. The Chilcotin and the many people he knows and respects there added to his life immensely. He was a conservationist before it was trendy - it took ~ 35 years of perseverance to have Alexis Lake closed to motors to preserve the wildlife. It is said he's a tough guy with a sense of honor and straight forward manner AND if he loves you then you know it. And that hand grip - it was firm to the end!

Malcolm is the last member of his immediate family. His father (Harry) and mother (Jessie), brothers Harry, Robert, David and Bruce are with him again.

Those of us left behind to miss Malcolm and mourn this great loss in our lives are his wife Mary Lou of 49 years, children Sandra McNaught (Jeff), Barbara Stehman, Robert, three grandchildren Leilah, Phillip and Deborah, sister-in-law Elsie Gardiner, niece Cheryl, seven other nieces and nephews, and his special nephew Bruce Gardiner (Anne), brother-in-law Ron East and his wife Helen, and his many dear close friends.

Malcolm never thought there was anything remarkable about his life, yet his life WAS richly amazing. HE WAS amazing. So it is another day and one more WWII Canadian airman, who loved this country more than himself, has left us. This is a sad day for everybody.

"22/6/42 ...Also yours truly wishing he was back with the mountains, lakes, streams and forests. ML Gardiner RCAF England"

MANY THANKS to Dr. Hanke deKock and the nursing staff on 3 WEST/7 NORTH for their expert, tender, loving care!

Any remembrances can be made to: The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation or BCSPCA.

A Service of Remembrance will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive.

Arrangements entrusted to
Kamloops Funeral Home
250-554-2577
Condolences may be emailed to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com