Hope for the Hauka’s

If you’ve ever taken a public tennis lesson in Vancouver, you’ve probably heard of Gord Hauka. For over 39 years, Gord was the face of public tennis throughout the city, bringing skills to use on and off the court to a growing and interconnected network of people of all ages.

Everyone wanted lessons from Gord. He was an exceptional tennis player and coach, but he also approached everyone as a whole, complex person. They were not simply a player. Gord was intuitive and inquisitive, taking a heartfelt interest in everyone who touched his life. He was not only a coach, but a true friend to many. Gord cared about who people were off the court just as much as, if not more than, who they were on the court.

He was so special to so many, especially in how he built an amazing tennis community through tournaments and lessons and friendship.

He was happy and hopeful, always. It didn’t matter how difficult things were or what challenges he faced - he worked tremendously hard, always to support the greatest loves of his life: his wife, Shelley, and two daughters, Codi and Aubree. He loved them more than anything, and told them and showed them that, always.

Gord was so healthy, active, and vibrant. He loved life and had seemingly limitless energy. And then, in an instant, all of that was taken away. As Gord was preparing for one of his favourite classes, a catastrophic brain aneurysm struck him down. The gap created by his sudden and shocking departure will never truly be filled. And now, his family needs support.

We are lost without Gord. He took such care in doing all that he could to support us. Facing his loss, we are humbly asking for help to meet our basic needs so that we are able to piece together what he has left behind, and to be able to sustain the legacy of the tennis community he created. Any donation truly makes a difference. Our deepest thanks and may you always have hope.