Torbay, NL - Ward Gosse Passes
Very sad news this morning via ISC Canada East
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend, Ward Gosse. Ward passed away suddenly at the age of 56 on January 20th 2025.
He leaves behind to cherish the memories of a life beautifully lived, that ended far too soon, his wife & friend of 30 years Karen, his daughters; Cassidy & Makay, his son; Samuel, parents; Lewis & Janet, parents-in-law; Dennis & Ruth, Nina & Elliott, sisters; Michele (Brian), Sonya (Wayne), Brothers-in-law; Robbie (Angie), Brian (Jenn), Darren (Shannon), Rod (Spring) and Bill (Laurie), sisters-in-law; Pam (Justin) and Sherry (Walter), nieces and nephews; Alex, Maddie & Logan, Seamus & Gabriel, Alexandria, Jackson & Regan, Cameron & Cole, Mandy (Ryan), Allie (Derek) & Taylor, Zachary (Heather), Brandon & Rebecca, and a large circle of extended family, friends and teammates.
Ward grew up in Bay Roberts beating around on his dirt bike between ballgames and hockey practices. Little else mattered in those younger days, as those were the places he felt most alive. Guarded by the love of his 2 sisters and parents – he was invincible!
Quite frankly, even at the age of 16, Ward was larger than life!
You needed only to be in his presence for a moment, to feel his confidence. It was that confidence that future teammates would come to depend on, and a girl he coached in fastpitch ball one summer 40 years ago (who he was consistently exasperated with, for performing backflips out in left field) would someday down the road, be drawn to as well.
His university days were spent at Field Hall where he met a group of guys to share in his zest for winning, who were all to ready for any adventures they cooked up. Many of them would become lifelong friends and one in particular (Sean Dowden) would eventually stand at his wedding as his best man.
Ward graduated with a degree in History & English and his love of history would stay with him his entire life.
Ward never much liked rules and that didn’t change as the years passed by. The surest way to get him to do something was to tell him he wasn’t allowed! He was a fierce defender on and off the ice, a formidable adversary on the mound or at the plate and often the life of the party if he got hold of a microphone at the bar after the game.
Ward has played with many ball and hockey teams over the years and many of his teammates were as close as family, he loved them dearly. Quite simply put, if Ward was on your team – he had your back
On December 4th 1994 at The Strand lounge, he bumped into that backflipping girl from the ballfield – all grown up. She told him a joke about a ‘wide mouth frog’ and when he left get a beer she told her friend .. “well he’s not coming back after that!” but he did come back .. and he came back every day after that.
There was never any doubt for either of them and in less than a year they were married. The rest, as they say, is history. But to leave it at that that would be to dismiss 30 years of adventure. The highs, the lows and all the moments in between that helped to build a beautiful life. A life that included a home in Torbay and 3 beautiful children.
He was a respected Town Councilor in Torbay who truly wanted to make a difference and he did, in so many ways. His moral compass was strong and sure when making decisions in that position and he took so much pride in that role.
It goes without saying that Wards achievements and accolades in the sporting world are extensive. But as much as Hockey and Fast Pitch were his passion, family was his lifeline, his children were his pride and joy – his world. They carry so much of him with them- the very best of him.
We had a lot of living left to do and The Big 5 will never be the same. He will be forever missed, forever loved and forever remembered.
You gave your all – and although there were chapters still left to be written, your story is one for the ages and is etched in the memories of all of those who knew and loved you.
You live on within your children and they will carry you forward with them.
Rest easy love.
I’ve got it from here.
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
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The Royal Canadian Legion, 930 The Blvd, St. John's, NL