Notice Board

The University of Lethbridge offers its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Dr. John Gogo (LLD '07), who passed away on Saturday, Apr. 4, 2015 at the age of 83 years.

Gogo was a strong advocate for the University of Lethbridge both as a politician and as a private citizen and gave of himself tremendously to the southern Alberta area. The University granted him an honorary degree at the 2007 Spring Convocation and Gogo continued to support the U of L to the time of his passing.

The following excerpt is from his 2007 honorary degree citation, followed by a full obituary.

A Graveside Service for Gogo will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in the Field of Honour on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 12:30 p.m.

A Celebration of John’s Life will be held at SOUTHMINSTER UNITED CHURCH – 1011 4th Avenue South on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 2 p.m. with Major Brian Beveridge officiating. Reception to follow in the Southminster United Church Hall.

John Gogo
Doctor of Laws

The Honourable John A. Gogo has vigorously championed the interests of southern Alberta, Lethbridge, and the U of L, while contributing to his community through exceptional work for charities and community associations.

Born in Toronto, John Gogo served in the Canadian Armed Forces 1949 to 1960, spending time in Korea and Germany. (Later in his career, he was active in the Korea Veterans Association of Canada to work for recognition for veterans of the Korean War.) He studied economics and organization and administration at the University of Lethbridge, and was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 1975. Re-elected in 1979, John Gogo was appointed Chair of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission for 1979-86. In 1986 he was appointed Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and, after being re-elected again in 1989, was appointed Minister of Advanced Education and Deputy Government House Leader.

His tenure as Minister of Advanced Education came at a critical time in the history of the University of Lethbridge. In spite of budget cuts, with Mr. Gogo’s help the University advanced the construction of the Student Union Building, the building of four residences, and the replacement of the main electrical campus transformers. John Gogo’s strong support of the U of L’s continued development and expansion helped the institution grow so it could better serve the needs of southern Alberta.

As MLA for Lethbridge West, Mr. Gogo represented the interests of Lethbridge and southern Alberta with immense conviction, to great effect. He supported and promoted first class health and education facilities for the region, and was an advocate for economic development initiatives, including effective water management. Someone who represented the interests of the community to government, John Gogo was always willing to listen and work towards an agreeable compromise on difficult issues.

JOHN ALBERT GOGO passed away peacefully on April 4, 2015, at the age of 83 years, surrounded by his loving family. John
was born on February 15, 1932, in Toronto, Ontario, to G. Allan and Mamie Gogo.

John joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1949, saw combat in the Korean War and served his country in Germany and Canada. By the time he left the army in 1962, he achieved the rank of sergeant. John was an active member of the Korea War Veterans Association where he was Past-President. Upon retiring from the Canadian Armed Forces, he joined Investors Group. John was active in the community including the Rotary Club and the Canadian Cancer Society. John served as an MLA for Lethbridge West from 1975 – 1993. He was Chairman of AADAC, Deputy Speaker and Deputy Government House Leader and the Minister of Advanced Education. Upon retiring from public life, John created the ‘John Gogo Foundation’ to support numerous community organizations.

John was a devoted husband, father, Popa and Great-Popa, and is survived by his wife Joyce, their children, Susan (Tim), Sandra (Doug), Sharon (Bruce), Stephen (Cheryl), Shannon (Ed), grandchildren, Patrick (Lorna) Quinn, Dustin Hegland (Kayla Bablitz), Kadi (Joey) Lavorato, Allison Gillett, Stephany Quinn (Daniel Heimdahl), Haley Hegland (Daniel Labossiere), Tanner (Kalyn) Hegland, Quinn (Michael) Hagel, Joel Gogo, Kenzie (Sean) Dupuis, Brendon Gogo, Daniel (Gabriele) Donkersgoed, Brady Donkersgoed and Hannah Gogo, great-grandchildren, Cole, Dylan, and Reid Lavorato, Riley and Teagen Labossiere, and James Gogo. He is predeceased by his parents, G. Allan and Mamie Gogo, brothers Bobby and Don Gogo, and sisters Bette Campbell and Marilyn Richardson, and is survived by brothers Norman Gogo and Allan Gogo, and sisters Jeanne Allan and Thelma McGillivray who fondly remember him as “Jack”. John is also survived by his sisters-in-law Joan Smith, Fran Senior, Bea Swain and brother-in-law Roy (Louise) Payne.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to staff of The Chinook Regional Hospital and St. Michael’s Palliative Care Centre for their excellent care of Dad and our family and friends for their loving support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Salvation Army, the Boys and Girls Club of Lethbridge and Harbour House.