It is with great sadness that the family of Gary Frederick Colter announces that he passed away at home, on Saturday, June 28th, 2025.

Gary was the husband of Victoria H. Shipp, for 39 years. He was the loving father of Grier (Jill), Brock, Ashley, Darrell (Stacy), Carolynne, Meredith (Alexander), and Gavin (Katie). He was Grandad of Ainsley, Reid, Hannah, Tillmann, Reagan, Carter, Wyatt, Kennedy, Ryleigh, Aurora and Palmer.

He was the brother-in-law of Catharine Shipp Wells and Gordon (Debbie) Shipp, and uncle of Lauren, Corey, Paul, Katelyn, Harrison and the late Carson. Uncle to David, Carol & Lisa and the late Bryan.

Gary was born on January 11, 1946, in Saint John, New Brunswick, to Royden and Ina (Hill) Colter. He was predeceased by his sister, Marion and brother, Roy.

Gary moved from Saint John to Sarnia, Ontario, in 1951 and, from there, to Windsor, Ontario, in 1958. He continued on to the University of Western Ontario in 1964, graduating in 1968, with an Hon BA, in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School.

Gary moved to Toronto in 1968 and joined Peat Marwick, (predecessor firm to KPMG), in the audit department. In 1971, he spent a year in the tax department before joining a newly launched restructuring and insolvency group. Gary was always very proud of becoming a partner at Peat Marwick at age 29, only 7 years after university graduation. He became a CA in 1971 and was appointed a FCA in 1988.

Gary became the resident travel agent for the trips he and Victoria went on as well as a number of family members.

Until his early retirement in 2002 to pursue a second career, Gary held various leadership roles in the firm including managing partner, Financial Advisory Services, Vice Chairman and serving for many years on the Management Committee. In 1989, he was one of a small group of partners who successfully completed the merger of Peat Marwick with Thorne Ernst and Whinney, which became KPMG Canada. In 1998, Gary was appointed as Global Managing Partner for KPMG International Financial Advisory Services, (Restructuring, Corporate Finance, Transition Services and Forensic), and a member of the first International Executive Team of KPMG International.

Gary had significant professional involvement with numerous major North American restructurings, and it was his first business love to have a role in saving important businesses and jobs. He played an active role in Canadian restructuring and insolvency legislation including acting for the Canadian government as Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy and Insolvency. The report of the Committee was delivered in 1986 and led to new framework legislative changes which were the most significant in 40 years.

He served as President of CAIRP in 1984-1985 and was a founding member of the Insolvency Institute of Canada.

In 2002, Gary formed a new strategy and restructuring firm, CRS INC, and sought out board opportunities for large North American corporate boards. His busy life accelerated further with many new professional assignments and board invitations. His board work included, CIBC, Owens Illinois, Revera Inc., Canadian Pacific, Coremark and Saskatchewan Wheat Pool. His board roles usually involved committee chair appointments, including acting as a committee chair for 12 years, during his 15-year member of the CIBC board. Gary had a particular interest in supporting leading governance principles and trends and pushing for increased gender diversity.

Nonbusiness life was centered around the family, travel and sports. Victoria and Gary were fortunate that their large family were all located within 90 minutes of their Mississauga home allowing for frequent family visits and get-togethers. Sunday dinner was a tradition for those that could come. Gary felt blessed that they had a winter home in Naples, Florida to escape the cold Canadian winters and have a lot of visits from family members.

Gary and Victoria were fortunate to travel to many parts of the globe with ocean cruises being a highlight. A feature of their marriage was a trip somewhere on all anniversaries and birthdays. A special memory was the family birthday trip to California in 2023, to celebrate his 75th birthday (The Shipp Colter California Adventure Trip).

With respect to sports, Gary was an avid golfer but always disappointed in his skill level. He spent a lot of time following the major sports events with strong support for Detroit based teams. Annual family trips for golf and NFL games were common.

Over many years Victoria added wonderful dogs to the Colter/Shipp household and for Gary especially Chelsea, Boca, Chaunsea and Schooner were important family memories bringing considerable joy. At one point there were 3 dogs which certainly made the king-sized bed cozy.

Gary was fortunate to have many friends and colleagues. He often remarked on how friendships evolve and change the years as one went through the various chapters of life. At KPMG, Gary was helped immensely by his partners and team members who he respected highly and, in his view, deserved so much credit for his successful career.

Gary was a member of the Toronto Club, Toronto Golf Club and Mediterra.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Wong, Dr. Abdul Al-Hesayen, Dr. Hira Mian, and Dr. Rebecca Rock, for their exceptional care and compassion for Gary over the years.

Friends will be received at Turner & Porter Peel Chapel, 2180 Hurontario St. Mississauga (one block north of QEW) on Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will take place at St. Bride’s Anglican Church, 1516 Clarkson Road North, Mississauga, on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 1 p.m., followed by a reception at The Mississaugua Golf & Country Club from 2 – 5 p.m.

Private interment Springcreek Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca