April 10, 1989 - January 18, 2023
In loving memory ~
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Deane James Gorsline announces his passing on January 18, 2023, at the age of 33. Deane leaves his family and friends with a sense of great loss, but also with beautiful memories that will forever live in our hearts.
Born April 10, 1989, in Prince George, B.C., Deane grew up on small farms in Burns Lake and Quesnel. He was introduced at an early age to family outdoor adventures including horse-packing, fishing, and skiing, and continued to extend his love of sports in school through hockey, soccer, and lacrosse.
Deane attended the Royal Military College of Canada and graduated with a Civil Engineering degree in 2011. Commissioned in the Canadian Armed Forces and serving as a combat engineer, he was posted to Edmonton, holding the positions of Field Tp Comd, Construction Tp Comd, Sqn 12 Ops O, and Dive Officer between 2012 and 2015. He served in Afghanistan on Op Attention in 2013 and was subsequently selected for and employed within the Special Operations Forces Command from 2015 onwards.
He was intensely passionate about his pursuits. He was focused, disciplined, and determined yet there was a wild, free dynamic about Deane that when unleashed was a true force of nature. His never-give-up attitude saw him meet many challenges, including his battle with ALS, diagnosed in December 2018. Not only did Deane pursue treatment options for himself but he felt compelled to contribute to creating an organization whose goal was to facilitate treatment options for all Canadians living with ALS. He joined with several others to be a founding member of ALS Action Canada and served as its first Chairman. His generous spirit and focus on creating opportunities and positive outcomes for all was one of his greatest strengths.
A special thank you to Deane's care aides and medical team that helped him through this difficult part of his life.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Friday, February 3, 2023, from St. Paul's Anglican Church, 20 Young Rd., Kanata, ON.
Reception to follow at: Kelly Funeral Home - Kanata Chapel, 580 Eagleson Road, Kanata, Ontario.
The family requests that should you wish, donations can be made in honour of Deane Gorsline to: The Healey Centre for ALS. https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate/healey-center/).
There will be a celebration of life, the burial of Deane's urn and a bonfire as per Deane's request at the family farm in Quesnel, B.C. in August 2023. All are welcome. Sharing memories and online condolences at www.kellyfh.ca.
Service Details
1:00 PM