Peter Gzowski may have died, but the numerous issues he cared so passionately about should live on, numerous speakers told a sombre crowd packed into Con Hall for a memorial service Monday.

“We’re here to celebrate a wonderful man, one’s that touched us all, enriched us all. We’re going to look at not what we lost, but what we gained,” introduced Peter Mansbridge.

Family, friends, musicians and fans, including well-known Canadians Rick Mercer, Shelagh Rogers and Murray McLauchlan, reminisced and paid tribute to a man that they loved and admired.

John Daniel O’Leary, president of Frontier College of Canada, remembered Gzowski for helping the college teach thousands of Canadians how to read and write. Gzowski raised $7 million for the college’s literacy efforts through golf tournaments known as the Peter Gzowski Invitational.

“I ask you to make Peter’s cause your cause, because you can do for someone in your community what Peter has done for all,” said O’Leary.

Author Jane Urquhart also spoke highly of Gzowski’s support and generosity towards Canada’s literary community.

“He was a man who passionately loved the word. The debt that the literary community owes to Peter for his participation in it is immeasurable.”

Gzowski’s long-time partner Gillian Howard challenged everyone to become involved in Canada’s civic life. “He encouraged civil discussion and expected us to join in. I know he’d want all of us to raise the level of discussion. In Peter’s memory, get to it.”

Glowing letters from around the world were read, speaking of Gzowski’s positive influence on people’s lives and touching on themes important to Gzowski, including golf, literacy, Canada’s north and beer.

A warm tribute was given by Mick Gzowski, who recounted his father’s response when Mick asked for career advice. “Never eat at a place called Mom’s. Never play cards with a guy called Doc,” advised Gzowski senior. Later, though, he told Mick to never stop caring and to keep plugging away at his work because it would show and make him feel better.

Gzowski revived his father’s idea of a long weekend in February. Peter Gzowski first thought of this idea in the 1970s.

“Let’s lobby to see that we get a long weekend in February. When we get that day, we’ll call it Chinook Day. But between you and me, we’ll know whose day it really is.”