Godfrey (Jeff) Dunnill
April 17, 1936 – January 27, 2020
Jeff was born in Birmingham, England. He immigrated to Canada on the Queen Mary as a teenager. Short of money and big on dreams, he paid for his adventure by ironing the shirts of other passengers. Jeff was entrepreneurial and not afraid to work. Once in Canada he found employment as a construction framer and soon realized he had the knowledge and skills to set out on his own. ‘Dunnill Homes’ was established in Edmonton in the 1960’s.
Jeff loved soccer, and lively debates. He also had a keen interest in life and in his surroundings, so much so, that he occasionally went up north to find the ‘gold mother lode’. He also helped his wife, Patricia, with the thoroughbred race horses. He loved the race track and with that influence he and a partner opened a country and western saloon called ‘Longriders’. It was a popular gathering place for anyone who enjoyed country music, line dancing and casual evenings on the town.
Jeff was good with numbers and mental games. He loved the Lotto 649 and was certain he could beat the odds by working combinations of numbers. He was an avid reader and a historian at heart. During family discussions, the unaware, the uneducated, unprepared and misinformed were quickly and humorously set straight. “What on earth do you learn in school?”
Despite his many achievements and adventures, those that loved him most will remember him as someone who was always ready to tumble to the floor and have a wrestle with the kids. The screams, giggles and peels of laughter are never far in our memories. “Someone is going to get a thumping!”
A private service has occurred. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the “Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
Jeff was one of a kind and a great and loyal friend. My condolences to all the family.
My sincere condolences to Pat and her family on Jeff’s passing. I knew Jeff through the Dunnill Farm’s thoroughbred breeding and racing business. I remember Jeff as a quiet man, an unassuming man, a dignified man and a gentleman. Jeff was a listener more than a talker but when he had something to say you knew it was worth listening to. He was “Just Jeff”!
Requiescant in pace.
Ann-Marie McGinn
My sincere condolences to his wife Pat and the family. I met Geoff when I was 20 years old in Calgary. At the time I was dating his brother Robert (Bob) whom I later married. I lived with all 3 brothers in Edmonton for a few months when I was first married and saw how hard all three of them worked framing houses in 30 plus below weather. It was an unusually cold winter but they were still out working in the freezing cold to make a few dollars. We were all poor. I remember them buying and cooking lamb in a basket which was obscenely cheap and beans on toast which at the time were only 10 cents a can. We were all young and full of hope. Later Geoff and his brother John boarded with my sister while they were framing an apartment block in Moose Jaw. We have lots of memories of fun times as Geoff had an especially unusual sense of humor and a way with words that was unique. Over the years I didn’t see him much but once in a while he would visit his brother and my sons in South Surrey. I am sad at his passing as it is the end of a era and a unique man. May he rest in peace.
Sending hugs to Pat and Jeffs family!
I worked with Jeff at Longriders. He was a really great guy and am sure he is sadly missed. Deepest condolences to family and friends.