Quadra Islanders will gather later this month to remember one of their own who was tragically killed in Edmonton.
Gabe Gregg, 31, died June 6, after being assaulted outside an Edmonton night club. Derrick Shawn Hansen, 36, of Edmonton has been charged with manslaughter.
According to news reports, Gregg was “sucker punched,” fell to the ground and struck his head on the cement. He was found by police on June 3, around 3 a.m., lying near the corner of Jasper Avenue and 107th Street.
He was taken to hospital by ambulance, but Gregg was already in a coma. With no sign of brain activity, he was taken off life support. Friends said Gregg was an organ donor and several of his organs were donated to others.
Gregg was raised on Quadra Island where his family still resides. He played a variety of sports, but rugby was his passion.
He played rugby for the Nanaimo Hornets and lived in the Harbour City where he ran his own construction business. Just four days before he was assaulted, Gregg had moved to Edmonton.
He is fondly remembered in Nanaimo for his upbeat demeanor and great sense of humour. He was a member of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo and helped out with the organizations two community gardens. Gregg also volunteered to help out with the city’s Silly Boat Race.
A memorial service for Gregg takes place on June 23, 4 p.m., at the Quadra Island Community Centre. For more information, visit the Facebook page “Gabe Gregg’s Celebration of Life.”