Obituary of Gordon Frederick Gregory, K.C.

The family wishes to announce the death of Gordon Frederick Gregory, K.C., on April 16, 2024. He was the beloved husband of 60 years to Carol Gregory (née Reid). Gordon was born in Saint John, New Brunswick on November 25, 1938, and was the son of the late Robert and Gertrude Gregory (née Deakin). He is survived by his wife, Carol; his son, Andrew Gregory, of Fredericton; his daughter, Kathryn Gregory (Mark Outar), of Saint John; his grandchildren, Alexa El-Khoury (Kyle Blacquier); Sebastien Outar; Jayda Outar; and Artemis Gregory; his brother, David Gregory; his brother-in-law, Alan Reid (Barbara); and his sister-in-law, Carolyn Gregory, as well as his nieces, Karen, Kelly and Courtney, and nephews, Robert, Geoffrey, Chris, and Thomas; and his many cousins.

Gordon was predeceased by their little daughter, Laura Claire Gregory; his brothers, Robert and George Gregory; and his sisters-in-law, Jean Gregory and Bette-Anne Gregory.

Gordon graduated from Saint John High School in 1956. He went on to obtain degrees in Business Administration and Law from the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University on full scholarship. He was a law partner in the firm Guss, Taylor & Gregory Saint John from 1963 to 1971. In 1971, he was appointed Deputy Attorney General and Deputy Minister of Justice for the Province of New Brunswick. He held this position until 1987. In 1987, he left government and went into private practice with Athey & Gregory Law in Fredericton, later becoming Athey, Gregory & Dickson. He retired from the practice of law in 2013.

When Gordon joined government, he believed it would only be for a few years after which he would return to his much-loved City of Saint John. Instead, he remained with the Department of Justice for 17 years having become committed and dedicated, along with so many of his colleagues, to evolving and professionalizing the Department of Justice and Attorney General. He was a passionate advocate for governance according to foundational principles and the rule of law. Gordon, and those who worked closely with him, are credited with having designed and implemented our current justice system in New Brunswick.

Gordon’s love of and passion for the law was only surpassed by his love of the river and the Atlantic salmon. He was a life-long member of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, dedicated to the conservation of the species. Gordon’s time not practicing law was spent typically at his fishing camp on the Miramichi river. He explored all the major rivers in New Brunswick through annual canoe trips with friends and family. He was an avid fly fisherman, teaching both his children at an early age to tie flies. His many opportunities to argue cases before all of the courts in New Brunswick and the Supreme Court of Canada did not compare to his opportunities to debate the law at the dinner table, at home or at the camp, with his friends and his family.

When Gordon wasn’t working or fishing, he was torturing his opponents on the tennis court with a strong and devious arm. Winter family trips were spent downhill skiing until his children could ski past him.

Gordon’s love for the Atlantic salmon was really a manifestation of his love of nature. He often waxed philosophical on the subject and believed nature is our one true teacher. “I think I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree…” was a line we heard often.

A “Remembering Gordon” event will take place Friday April 26th from 3:00-6:00 PM at the Fredericton Beaverbrook Art Gallery, at 703 Queen Street. This will include the visitation as well as a reception with speakers sharing memories beginning at 4:00 PM. For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the memorials is available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/939711387.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Atlantic Salmon Federation, the New Brunswick Kidney Foundation, the Fredericton Christ Church Cathedral, or a charity of your choice.

The family wishes to extend their appreciation and thanks to the dedicated staff at the Dr. Everett Chalmer’s Hospital, the Veteran’s Hospital, and Frederick Hall Shannex.