Nanaimo Clippers are mourning the loss of a man who was considered family and part of the heart of the organization.
On Tuesday morning, June 3, the BCHL hockey team announced the death of Gary Dorland, a volunteer who many fans knew as the 50/50 ticket guy, but whose connection with the team ran much deeper. Rikki Thompson, Clippers' manager of sales and business development, said Dorland was someone “you couldn’t get away from the arena.”
“He was a man of all trades,” said Thompson. “Definitely a big hole, a big hole his loss, for sure. I miss him already.”
Marie Dorland, Dorland’s sister, said his death was a shock to the Clippers, and the whole community. “That was his true family, was the Clippers,” she said.
Marie remembered her brother as having a “wicked sense of humour that he took everywhere and people really appreciated that.”
She said after their father died, her brother kept their mother’s house repaired for decades after.
“They guy could fix anything and he kept our mother’s house going for the longest time until we sold it,” she said. “Our father died quite young in 1974 and Gary took care of the maintenance of the house, took care of the maintenance of the cars. He could do anything."
John Almond who worked with the Victoria Cougars organization, said volunteers like Dorland play crucial roles within hockey teams.
“The biggest thing with guys like that, they're just worth their weight in gold … It’s those guys behind the scenes that run the engine,” Almond said. “He was an incredible guy because he did so many jobs, many tasks with them … Those are the guys that really need to be recognized more … It’s a really close-knit world and because of guys like him too.”
Dorland was also a volunteer firefighter with Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years and an avid motorcyclist. Ron Daly, former Nanaimo Fire Rescue captain, who grew up with Dorland, said he started his firefighting career at the age of 16, volunteering alongside Dorland and recalls numerous motorcycle trips over the years.
“Gary and I did a lot of riding together,” Daly said. “We would go to Reno most of the time … He will be missed.”
Philip Wolf, who worked with Dorland for many years at the old Nanaimo Daily News, said it was "such a huge loss for the Clippers, the BCHL and the community."
“He just loved volunteering and being involved with the team. He would step away (from his night production shift) to sell 50-50 tickets, then zip back after the games to finish up," said Wolf. "To generations of Nanaimo kids, he was ‘the ticket guy.’ He’ll definitely be missed.”
Marie said her brother’s passion was being a part of the Nanaimo Clippers.
“That was his passion and they were very, very, very tight,” she said. “It was his passion. Yes, we are his family, but really the Clippers was his family.”
An online post by the hockey team expressed the sentiment of its loss.
“Forever in our hearts. Gary Dorland wasn’t just part of the Nanaimo Clippers – he was the Clippers. His warmth, dedication and unmistakable presence touched everyone who crossed his path. We will never forget him.”
The News Bulletin has reached out to Nanaimo Clippers head coach and general manager Colin Birkas for comment.
