After a short illness, Gary passed away peacefully at home in his sleep with family nearby on May 2, 2025. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Elizabeth, and is survived by his brother Guy (Gatineau) and his sister, Doloros (Armidale NSW) and their families. Also missing him will be his three sons Dan (Heather), Mark, and Adam (Lisa) and his grandchildren Millie, Max, Juliet, Mia, and Kirsten.
Born in Timmins, Ontario in 1937, Gary started off as a teacher and a journalist. He then went on to be a proud member of the Canadian Military. Gary’s regimental affiliations over his long service career included the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Algonquin Regiment, Fort Garry Horse and Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). He was the recipient of the Order of Military Merit and the Canadian Forces Decoration among other well-deserved honours. The Army Life took Gary and the family around Canada and abroad to Germany. He also served as a Peace Keeper in Cyprus. His career afforded him many cherished friends, memories, and stories. So many stories!
In recent years, Gary did important and consequential volunteer work as the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) Veteran Liaison to the Military Oral History Program at the University of Victoria. In this program he helped “round up” veterans for students to interview and record experiences for historical purposes in a digital archive. It is an incredible collection (now with over 700 recordings) and we are proud of him for that important work.
Generous and kind, he took delight in good music, cheap red wine, his amazing grandchildren, and cars that need fixing. He was never without a “tank story,” a detailed account of an obscure military battle from just about any historical time period, or delightfully saucy ditty, Gary will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Ukrainian Foundation (or other such charity) which Gary supported because he knew right from wrong.
