Gary McIntyre (Hodge)

Gary McIntyre (Hodge), age 73, of Victoria, B.C., passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, with his dear friends and caregivers Glen Pyle and Brenda Britton by his side.

Gary was born on October 6, 1947 in Quebec. His father was the late Joseph (“Joe”) Hodge and his biological mother was Dora McIntyre. Gary was raised by others until age 9, when he was sent to Northwestern Ontario to live with his father and his wife, Lyla (nee Grant), at the Northwest Bay Trading Post, north of Devlin. Lyla took Gary in as her own, and he loved her as his mother.

Gary started high school in Fort Frances in 1963, hanging out with Penny McLean, Orville Armstrong, Johnny Ossachuk, and Margie Allen. He struggled to fit in and was misunderstood by many people. Like other youths who are different, he eventually left the Fort Frances area, living in Toronto and elsewhere, before settling in Victoria. He overcame many personal struggles, but found love and friendship. He stayed in touch with his mom, dad, and family in Devlin.

Gary loved Victoria and lived there for over 45 years. He worked in hospitality, spending much of his career as a loyal employee of a downtown hotel. He visited Devlin regularly until his father’s passing, and in recent decades, he hosted visiting nieces and nephews in Victoria. Gary loved artwork and the beauty of the natural world. He surrounded himself with treasures he acquired over the years and curated a lush garden at his home.

Gary is survived by his uncle, Harry (June) Hodge of Toronto, his cousins, Janice (Karin) Hodge of Coldstream, B.C. and Lee Anne (Al) Hodge-Johnson of Smithers, B.C. and numerous other relations through the Hodges of Lamaline and Allan’s Island, Newfoundland. He is also survived by his step-siblings Carole (Bill) McLean and Erwin (Beatty) Armstrong, and by numerous nieces and nephews, including Sherry McLean, Tammy (Paul) Stevenson, Cindy (Morris) Judson, Todd (Tammy) McLean, Holly (Murray) Witherspoon, Wade Armstrong, Scott Armstrong, Charmaine (Jay) Marchand, and Anissa (John) Fraser.

Gary is also survived by numerous great-nieces and -nephews, including Douglas (Peter) Judson, Maverick (Crystal) Judson, Luke (Tara) Judson, Rebecca Witherspoon, Ryan Witherspoon, Kelsey (Richard) McLean-Wieringa, Tyson (Rachel) McLean, Zachary Stevenson, Justin Stevenson, Matthew Armstrong, Alison (Brad) Lewis, and Katie Marchand, and great-great-nephews Jett Judson and Chaz and Slater Wieringa.

Gary is also survived by many close friends, including Glen Pyle, Brenda Britton, and Linda Styles.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, Joe and Lyla Hodge, and, in 2016, his partner of many years, Bruce Poulton. He is also predeceased by his step-brother, Donald Armstrong, and numerous aunts and uncles, including his mother’s siblings, Arlo (“Bud”) Grant and Viva Cummings, and his father’s siblings, Ted, Jack, Bill, and Michael Hodge and Mary Halley, Rita Colpitts, Sister Mary Edward Hodge, and Laura Worthington.

Cremation has taken place and Gary’s ashes have been distributed, with Bruce’s, in accordance with his wishes. A come-and-go social will be held in Gary’s memory at 700 Victoria Ave. in Fort Frances, Ontario on Friday, July 23, 2021 from 2 to 5 PM. In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to Victoria Hospitals Foundation, Wilson Block, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, B.C., V8R 1J8, or at www.victoriahf.ca.

Like many LGBT people’s stories, Gary’s is about the triumph of chosen families, love, and beauty over loneliness, isolation, and shame. We choose to honour his memory and are proud of his place in our family.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.