Congratulations to Clarenville's Garry Gosse
CONGRATULATIONS, GARRY GOSSE!!!
It is with immense pride that I extend our warmest and most sincere congratulations to Garry Gosse on receiving the Premier’s Medal for Arts, Heritage, Sport and Recreation from Premier Tony Wakeham on Friday, May 22, 2026. Presented at The Rooms in St. John’s, this prestigious medal recognizes Garry as both a vital municipal anchor and a provincial leader. As the highest honour our province bestows in these disciplines, it celebrates individuals whose lifelong dedication fosters a deep sense of belonging and well-being—values Garry has championed for nearly fifty years.
Shortly after moving to Clarenville and purchasing my/our house, I was fortunate enough to have Garry and Kathy as my neighbours. Getting to know Garry, I quickly realized that while he was a dedicated family man at home, his role as the Town’s Recreation Director meant his extended family encompassed the entire community. Over the years, I have watched him act as a big brother and father figure to countless residents and youth. For Garry, his position with the Town stretched far beyond a standard job—it was a true way of life.
I also owe a great deal to Garry for inspiring and encouraging my own involvement in municipal affairs. When we were young parents, a group of us came together to advocate for better local playground spaces. Garry was our frontman. He didn't just listen to our concerns and suggestions; he actively mentored us and worked by our side to lobby Council to make our vision a reality. Because of that partnership, we successfully renovated those playgrounds, laying the groundwork for what have since become some of the finest recreational spaces of any town in the province.
As many of you know, I've been spending a lot of time researching Clarenville's past and documenting it on my web page, www.paultilley.com . Garry continues to play an important part of Trail development and guided trail walks today, but since the mid-1970's he has been behind so much of the recreational experience in our town. To give you some context, I put together this resume of his work:
Paul Tilley’s Clarenville’s History Shorts
paultilley.ca
Garry Gosse: A Lifetime of Community, Recreation, and Leadership in Clarenville
For nearly half a century, Garry Gosse has been an anchor of community life, healthy living, and active recreation in the Town of Clarenville. From his early days as the town’s long-time Recreation Director to his post-retirement role as the architect of local trail culture, Garry’s vision has spanned across generations—fostering a great regional pride in wellness, sportsmanship, and the great outdoors.
The Career Years: Building the Foundation (1970s – Late 2000s)
Garry’s professional journey began in the mid 1970s when he stepped into the role of Clarenville’s Recreation Director. In an era when municipal recreation was often confined to basic sports leagues, Garry saw a broader potential. He immediately set to work to maximize community spaces, negotiating the use of school gymnasiums outside standard hours to ensure local youth had safe, structured places to play.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he brought a distinct energy to the local sports scene. He was instrumental in coordinating high-profile exhibition games—such as hosting the VOCM 590s to play against local coaches for community fundraisers—and even organized international sports exchanges, famously welcoming a visiting American Midget hockey team to Clarenville in 1980.
As Clarenville grew, Garry’s role transitioned from managing programs to shaping modern infrastructure. He was a vocal advocate for a "big vision" regarding the town’s community assets, laying the operational groundwork for the modern facilities, inclusive spaces, and expansive park networks the town enjoys today. Recognizing that wellness extends beyond the sports field, he also championed holistic initiatives like the Clarenville Community Garden, utilizing Job Creation Partnership Grants to build accessible outdoor spaces that bridged the gap between recreation, social connection, and food security.
The Retirement Years: Champion of the Trails (Late 2000s – Present)
When Garry formally retired from his municipal role in 2015, his service to Clarenville simply entered a vibrant new chapter. Rather than stepping back, he stepped onto the trails, channelling his energy into grassroots outdoor recreation.
Garry became the driving force behind Clarenville’s modern walking and hiking culture. For much of the year, he serves as the coordinator and chief guide for the Town's weekly Wednesday Invitation Hikes. Every Wednesday morning, Garry can be found leading a dedicated group of residents through the region's spectacular trail networks. These hikes have become a cornerstone of community life—part fitness regime, part vital social hub—keeping residents active, mentally engaged, and connected to nature.
His leadership extends across all seasons. To ensure the outdoors remain accessible to everyone, Garry has spent years helping coordinate the availability of snowshoes and Nordic poles for winter treks. From guiding families up the rewarding terrain of the Bare Mountain Loop for annual winter festivals to leading brisk seasonal walks along Loops 1 2 & 3 of the Rotary Trail from the Bill Davis Chalet, Garry has inspired countless citizens to adopt a healthier, year-round lifestyle.
Family, Partnership, and a Shared Volunteer Legacy
Behind Garry’s enduring community impact is a remarkable lifelong partnership with his wife, Kathy Gosse. For years, Kathy was a highly respected sports reporter for The Clarenville Packet. Together, they formed an extraordinary team for local recreation: while Garry was busy building the programs and running the events, Kathy was on the sidelines, beautifully archiving the town's athletic triumphs, volunteer milestones, and community spirit in print.
Garry and Kathy raised their two sons and a daughter in Clarenville, embedding them in the same community values they spent their careers promoting. Today, their retirement is defined by family, adventure, and exploration. They spend much of their time travelling the world and cherishing moments with their sons and beloved grandchildren.
Yet, no matter how far their travels take them, Garry and Kathy remain deeply rooted in Newfoundland. When they are home, they continue to be prominent, active leaders in Clarenville’s volunteer ecosystem. From Garry’s past executive work with organizations like the Neighbourhood of Friends Family Resource Centre—where he advocated for early childhood infrastructure—to their ongoing presence at grassroots organizations like the CREST Bus, the Gosses embody the very best of community spirit.
Through decades of professional dedication, an enduring volunteer spirit, and a retirement spent leading by example on the trails, Garry Gosse has left an indelible mark on Clarenville. His recognition with the Premier's Medal for Contributions to Recreation stands as a testament to a lifelong truth he and Kathy have always demonstrated: that community isn't just a place where you live—it is something you actively build, look after, and celebrate every single day.
LINK: Garry Gosse Photo Gallery
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