John A.R. Gardam

GARDAM, John Alan Robert O.C., O.M.M., M.S.M., CD

Colonel (Retired)  - Royal Canadian Armoured Corps

Died peacefully at the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre on 15 September 2019 at the age of 88.  He was predeceased by his parents Bill and Becky Gardam and his sister Pat (Gerald), and was the brother of Paul (Joyce), Elizabeth (Lawrence) and Bill (Heather).  He is survived by his loving wife Elaine and was the proud father of John, Bob, Dave and Michael.   The extended families of John and Mary (Sarah, Jamie, Jack, Norah; Jonathan, Kamerine, Jeremy, Kyla), Bob and Carol (Jacob, Kevin, Emilie), Dave and Claire (Kate, Ian, Ben, Lucy; Erin, Jared), Michael and Jodi (Annabelle, Olivia, and their mother Valerie Sales), and all of his special nieces and nephews will miss him greatly.

Colonel John Gardam was born in Connington, England 20 June 1931 and immigrated with his family to Mill Bay, British Columbia in 1946 at the age of 15. He joined the Canadian Army Reserves in 1947 and in 1951 joined the Lord Strathcona’s Horse as a trooper.  He was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Dragoons in 1952.

During the next 32 years he served with distinction in Egypt with the Fort Garry Horse and in numerous other locations across Canada including the Royal Military College in Kingston as the Director of Cadets, the Commandant of the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, among other notable appointments. “The Colonel”, as he was known by his troops, always placed the welfare of his subordinates first and was never afraid to challenge the status quo. He was awarded the Order of Military Merit in 1980 for demonstrating dedication and devotion beyond the call of duty, achieving conspicuous merit and exceptional service.

On retirement from the military in 1984, Colonel Gardam continued to serve his country as a Reservist and spent five years with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission where he, along with his wife Elaine, travelled the Commonwealth inspecting war graves.  Upon completion, he was the Project Director for the Peacekeeping Monument in Ottawa, being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his efforts. Additionally, the Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping (CAVUNP) was named in his honour in recognition of his service to peacekeeping veterans.

Colonel Gardam has written numerous living history books with all of the proceeds being donated to the welfare of serving military personnel and veterans.  He was the Board Chair of the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre Foundation during the period that the funds were raised for the new facility.  On 3 May 2013 he was invested as an Officer of the Order of Canada for a lifetime of selfless dedication and service to serving military personnel and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces.

John, aka Dad, Grampa, GP, GGP was happiest spending time with his family, gardening, and at the cottage sailing.  He would light up any room he entered with his infectious smile.  He was kind and exceptionally personable with everyone he met.  He will be missed.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Perley for their dedication and the superb care they provide. Friends are invited to gather at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood on Wednesday  September 25, 2019 after 1 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre Foundation or a charity of their choice.