Glen Gavel. (Submitted Photo/Erica Gavel)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Rest In Peace

‘The ref of P.A.’: Prominent member of local sports community passes away

May 5, 2023 | 12:00 PM

A well-known member of Prince Albert’s sports community has passed away.

Glen Gavel died ‘peacefully at home’ on Apr. 30 at the age of 63.

He was a prominent figure in the local basketball scene as he played, coached, and reffed in thousands of games. In fact, he had been reffing games for the past 42 years.

“In the winter, he’d spend every weekend and every weeknight reffing basketball, and me and my sister would always tag along,” said Kaila Gavel, Glen’s daughter.

She explained that her dad was a very competitive player. No matter the game, he took it as seriously as someone could.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

“He was probably the most competitive rec player you would have ever met, but he would never admit it was just rec sports,” she joked.

When asked if he was a better player or ref, Erica Gavel, Glen’s other daughter, had a good laugh.

“I think it depends on who you talk to,” she joked. “If you ask him, he’d probably say he was the best of both.”

Both Erica and Kaila have fond memories of the time they spent with their dad. For Erica, it was playing basketball in their driveway, while Kaila still remembers going with her dad to different sporting events.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled to happen at the Prince Albert Wildfire Federation on Friday, starting at 4:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and encouraged to share their favourite story about Glen.

Kaila noted the family has already been bombarded with positive messages.

“It’s nice that people are remembering him the way I want him to be remembered.”

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow