Steve “Bones” Gelley was born April 10, 1954 in Vancouver, B.C. to Josephine and John Gelley, baby brother to John Gelley, 1951. John and Steve were the pride and joy of Josephine, who became a single parent when the boys were 9 and 11, cementing a family bond that was pretty amazing.
As a youth, Steve was the happiest when playing baseball, hockey, basketball and golf. High school teachers and his many coaches became Steve’s favourite people and mentors.
Steve graduated from Britannia Secondary School in 1972 and was recruited by Simon Fraser University, playing football for the Clansmen from 1972-1976. Steve was drafted in 1976, 1st Round to Ottawa Rough Riders, and played with Hamilton, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg and Montreal until he finished in 1981. After his Pro career, Steve taught and coached football at Vancouver College for almost 10 years. He then moved to Vancouver School Board at Gladstone Secondary School, and finished his career at Captain Cook Elementary School.
Steve married Linda, after meeting her in grade 8, and spent the next 38 years enjoying his best creations ever – Lisa 1982, Drew in 1985 and Cole in 1991. Steve loved spending time with his children, an coached the boys, attended Lisa’s dance shows, and taught them all the tricks he knew. He was a proud dad when Lisa and Josh were married in 2011, then became a proud Gichan when Loa was born on August 22, 2016. He fell head over heels in love with her from the moment she arrived and spent the next 3 years doing whatever SHE wanted and was well on his way to loving little Noemi when she arrived on November 19, 2019. On the heels of Noemi’s birth, he was also delighted that Drew had proposed to Erin, and that she had accepted!
Retiring in 2016, he began his new career, working on never-ending renovations and creations in his beloved Deep Cove home. Tapping into his father-in-law’s talents as a carpenter/builder, he loved creating new things with wood, and repurposing pieces and had found. Much to his surprise, he had a talent for Japanese garden gin and often trimmed back the greenery, creating beautiful landscapes. He rebuilt the front yard and then began his biggest project of al – Loa’s playhouse, using everything and anything he could fine – his imagination was in full gear!
Steve was known throughout the Cove as the guy who chatted with everyone, sharing news, and walking through the neighbourhood.
On December 27th, Steve died suddenly and unexpectedly at home. Steve leaves behind his wife, lined, and three children, Lisa (Josh), granddaughters Loa and Noemi; Drew (Erin) and Cole; brother John (Jmi); sister-in-law Florence; brother-in-law Kenley (teresa), nephew Spencer (Karen), niece Maxine (Igor); mother-in-law Yurilo Lilly Tamoto, and aunts, uncle, an cousins and their families.
Steve will be deeply missed no only by family, but by a large group of lifelong high school and football buddies. He will always be fondly remembered especially when the sun comes out, and we will have the image os Steve, basking in the rays, no matter what season! He loved to tell stories, was down to root for the underdog, and unconditionally supported all the “kids” in his live with their chosen paths and passion.
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