Clifford George Edward Gundry-White

Cliff Gundry-White, beloved husband of Elaine, and a friend to the entire Boy Scout organization, and to everyone that had ever met him, passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Carewest Colonel Belcher facility in Calgary, AB. Cliff was born on the eighteenth day of June, 1924 in Calgary. Growing up, he attended the McDougal School, the Hillhurst School and the Central Collegiate Institute. He joined a Cub pack as a child and went on to join a Boy Scout Troop. To earn his money, he delivered groceries with his bicycle for a local grocery store. He rode his horse in several consecutive Calgary Stampede parades. He was employed by the Bank of Montreal in 1941. On September 10, 1942 he joined the RCAF and received training in aerodynamics at Edmonton and Fort Macleod and learned to fly aircraft. In 1943, he was sent overseas and received additional flying training in England and advanced training in a Flying Instructor School in Scotland. On being transferred back to England, he was commissioned as an Airforce Flying Officer and assisted in training numerous young pilots for service in the war effort. In 1945, after returning to Canada, he rejoined the Bank of Montreal and worked in Wainwright, Myrnam, Lacombe and Olds and served as a leader in cub packs in those communities. In 1957, now married to Jeannie, and with two young boys, he returned to Calgary as an accountant with Texaco Exploration Company where he remained until he retired in 1986 at age 62. Throughout his career with Texaco, he was active in the employee social club, and after his retirement he was instrumental in helping to form the Elderstar Club for Texaco retirees and served as President during its initial years. This club remains alive and well today. Yet Cliff’s real legacy was in his dedication and devotion to Cubs and the Scouting movement in which he worked tirelessly for over 60 years. He was Akela, the wise old wolf, to hundreds of cubs as a leader for thirty five years with the St. Cyprian Cub Pack. He also served as a District Cub Master, a District Commissioner, a Director of the Calgary Scout Foundation and as a Director of Scouts Canada Calgary Region. During these years he received numerous Scout medals and awards culminating in the highest Scouting award available, the Silver Wolf, which was presented to Cliff by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc at Rideau Hall in 1995. He also received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012. Even though Cliff received numerous awards for his service, he never sought recognition for himself. His only objective was the betterment of the boys, and in this he was superlative. In his later years he wrote his memoires and entitled them “On My Honor”. Cliff was predeceased by his first wife Jeannie, his son Kenneth, his brother Lionel, and his parents Frederick and Marguerite Gundry-White. He is survived by his second wife Elaine, his son Douglas (Rose), and his sisters-in-law Margaret Parkyn and Loretta Gundry-White. Cliff’s family members wish to express their appreciation to the Doctors and Nursing Staff at the Carewest Colonel Belcher facility for the incredible effort they have extended to Cliff to make him comfortable in his final months. A Visitation with the family will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4th Street NW, Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery), on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Celebration of Cliff’s Life will be held at the Holy Cross Anglican Church, 2828 - 19 Street NW, Calgary, AB T2M 3V8, on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery. And Cliff: Please say “Hello” to Lord Baden Powell, and be sure to shake hands with your left hand.