Gardom was born in Banff, Alberta on July 17, 1924.[1] He grew up in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, and attended secondary school in Vancouver.[2] He obtained his BA and LLB degrees from the University of British Columbia. During his undergraduate years, he played varsity basketball for the Thunderbirds[3] and was an active member of the BC Alpha Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.[1] He then practised law in Vancouver.
In 1987, Gardom was appointed the agent-general for British Columbia in London, England.[4] He served in that post until 1992.[2]
Lieutenant governor
In 1995, Gardom was appointed Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia by Governor GeneralRoméo LeBlanc, on the advice of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. He was the only non-Liberal politician to be appointed as a Lieutenant Governor during Chrétien's term (although Gardom started out his career with the Liberals). He served until 2001. In 2002 he received the Order of British Columbia.[5]
Personal life
In 1956, Gardom married Helen Eileen Mackenzie. They had five children.
Gardom was a very active contributor to the 4-H community.[1]
Issuant from a coronet erablé Gules the rim encircled with a frieze of fleurs-de-lys Or an arm in armour embowed grasping a sword all Or;
Escutcheon
Or an open book Argent bound Azure charged with a representation of the Mace of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in bend Or between a chief dancetty of five and in base three barrulets wavy Azure;
Supporters
On a grassy mound Vert set dexter and sinister with dogwood flowers Argent seeded Or and in base with Icelandic poppies proper dexter a stag Or unguled and attired and gorged with a collar Azure pendant therefrom a hurt charged with an ansul Or sinister a mare Or unguled and maned Azure gorged with a like collar charged with a stag’s head affronty Or;
