After weeks beside his bed – sharing stories, laughter, tears and making memories, Gary departed this world with his family by his side to go be with his little sister Candace, his mother Ruth and his father James. His wife Betty said goodbye to her love one month short of 55 years. His daughter Trish (John) let go of her father that loved to see her smile every day and did his best to make sure she did. His son David (Roxanne) lost his best friend and the man that knew the answer to every question ever needed. Gary was kind and he was loved, especially by his grandchildren Rhys, Connor, Bretton and Jordan and great-grandson Marques. He will also be greatly missed by his sister Nicole (Jack); brother-in-law Bill Bell (Wendy); nephews Paul, Devin (Megan) and Mark (Emma); and his niece Jennie.
Gary was born and raised in Esquimalt and at the age of 18, took the train to Ottawa to join the RCMP. After spending 32 years with the RCMP in Saskatchewan, he and Betty moved back to their family home in Esquimalt in 1994.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Gorge Vale Golf Course on Sunday, November 24, 2019 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Memories and reflections of Gary’s life will be shared at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the RCMP Veterans Association – Victoria Division or the BC Cancer Agency.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Michael Crestohl
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Michael Crestojl I knew Gary back in the 1980s when he acquired a friend’s US badge collection. There was one badge that I wanted for my collection and offered to buy it. Gary knew it meant something to me so he just handed it to me, i still have it. I was saddened to read of his passing……
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Phil Jamieson Sincerest condolences to Gary’s family and especially to the other pea in the pod, Betty. Gary was a warm, funny, knowledgeable, and very brave man. His knowledge of a “good deal” and police history, was unsurpassed. I will miss his smile, his person and his encyclopedic knowledge. His legacy continues with Trish and David and their families. Family was always first with Gary. He was a star and will be missed.
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Scott Sutton So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Many fond memories of his time in North Battleford S/Div.
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Jean MacLean Gary was the “best man” at our wedding, and he truly was a “best” man. Gary and Betty and Neil and I had many good times together, shared many laughs and made great memories. He will be missed by many, but in particular Betty, David and Trish. Prayers and hugs to you all.
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Floyd Rogers Betty, Trish & David. This amount of tributes and the words in them clearly speaks to Gary’s popularity. He has tons of friends and family left behind who mourn his loss, but celebrate all Gary has done throughout his life and particularly his many years of service in the Force. Heather & I are pleased to call your family friends. Thanks for the memories!
Floyd & Heather ROGERS, Okotoks
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Allan Bowes Gary was a troop mate in Troop 4 at ‘N’ Div. Rockcliffe in Ottawa in the summer of 1962. Eleven of us were transferred to ‘F” Div. Saskatchewan in April 1963. A great member of the RCMP and one of the best I was proud to serve with. Gary will be missed and condolences to the family.
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Bill Bailey I was so sorry to hereof Gary’s passing. As you know, Betty, Gary and I trained together in Ottawa, served in different Provinces, but remained in touch over the years, mainly through our hobby of collecting firearms. He was a great guy and a fun guy, respected and admired, so sorry for your loss, Bill
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Cheryl Hanna Betty, I was so sad to read Gary’s obituary in the paper. He was one of the great ones and Keith really looked forward to times when we would get together and he could talk with Gary. He always had time for Keith even when Keith couldn’t really communicate that well.
I know your family will be with you through this time and be sure to lean on them when you need to.
I will be thinking of you and I’m thankful for all the memories I have of Gary.
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Peggy Duncan I was sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I remember the first time we met and it was the same night as I met Steve at that “gathering” in North Battleford in 66. Remember when Steve and Gary were almost business partners lol.Heather and Trish were even planning uniforms lol. Please know that he will rest in peace knowing you have support and continued contact with the RCMP family as well as your great kids. We will always miss them but glad to have such good memories.
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mike thorpe Dear Betty & Family
Please accept our most sincere condolences. Gary was “one of a kind” and it has been a true privilege to have been able to spend time with both of you recently. He treated others with respect and had a great sense of humor. He was well known in police circles around saskatchewan and well regarded as a policeman. He will be sorrily missed. Betty our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
God bless—mike & candy thorpe
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mike thorpe Dear Betty & Family
Please accept our most sincere condolences. Gary was “one of a kind” and it has been a true privilege to have been able to spend time with both of you recently. He treated others with respect and had a great sense of humor. He was well known in police circles around saskatchewan and regarded as a true policeman. He will be sorrily missed. Betty our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
God bless—mike & candy thorpe
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Bob and Donna BOYD A close and wonderful friend for more than 50 years he was one of a kind. A sense of humour like no other, a living and dedicated. father, husband and RCMP college I will miss him very much. May he rest in peace and may you find comfort Betty knowing he was so loved and admired
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Barry/Barb Lindsay So sorry to hear this news. Often reflect on the great times in North Battleford in the late 60’s. Brings a smile to a face for sure. Our thoughts are with you and your family Betty.
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Celia Owen Betty and Family, my thoughts are with you and thinking of you in this difficult time.
Thanks to Gary and Betty for offering help when I experienced a tragic loss.
I will never forget his kindness at that time.
My heartfelt condolences.
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Cathy and Mick Brzoza We are so saddened and very sorry for your loss. Uncle Gary was a sweet, kind and wonderful man and we know he will be missed by so many. We will be attending his Celebration of Life and are sending our heartfelt sympathy, love and prayers to all of you.
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Bruce Romaniuk Gary was one of my early mentors in Badge collecting and helped me realize that a good investigation leads to a good badge. I enjoyed sharing stories with Gary. We had a lot in common, from our interests in our work within the force to our after work hobbies. I will miss Gary’s voice and his laugh very much. Rest in peace my friend.
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Sandy and Louie Herrin Dear Betty and family. Please accept our most sincere condolences on Gary’s passing. We loved the time spent in a Desert Aire with Gary and you. He was such a sweet man and gave the best hugs ever. Keep your wonderful memories of your lives together tucked in your heart.
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Paul Rogers Dear Betty,
I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was one of the few “good” men I have known. He will be greatly missed. I really loved that man
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Morris atkinson Dear Betty and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We send our heartfelt thoughts your way.
Diane and Morris Atkinson
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Cindy Durell Betty and family,
I am so very sad to hear this news. I send you my deepest condolences. I remember Gary as being so kind. I was young when you and Gary would visit with my parents, Rae and Gloria Allin. I do, however, remember how I felt around you both. And when I think of those times, a smile crosses my face. You are great people that took time for a young person. I felt like you were family to me.
Years have passed since I would have seen you guys, although you have been thought of and spoken of in high regard.Thinking of you,
Cindy (Allin) Durell
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Owen and Maureen Arthur We were saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. The time Owen spent working with Gary in the SIDU were some of his most memorable and the most ‘fun’. He will be missed and remembered. Our sincere condolences to Betty and the entire family.
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Larry Owens Steady as a rock, perpetual smile – qualities he learned from his dad. You will be sorely missed Gary. My heartfelt condolences to Betty all all the family.
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Valerie Cownden Gary will be so missed. Because he was the oldest of the Owens cousins there was an age gap between us and I really only knew his baby sister, Candy well. As we got older and went to different reunions and functions I got to know him better. If you wanted to see the biggest smile and the best laugh you headed over to see Gary. He was very kind and generous and I know Betty and family will have rich memories to keep them warm through this terrible time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Valerie and Paul
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S.C. (Andy) Anderson Gary was a happy Mountie, his whole time was spent on police stuff and his knowledge in this field was truly remarkable, He served his country and community well. Best to the family
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Marc Lavergne Dear Betty and Trish;
My thoughts are with you during this time of grief. May I offer my sincere condolences to you both. Although I did not know Gary well the few times that I did meet him they were very memorable. His dedication to RCMP history was remarkable.
With a heavy heart;
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Rick NEWSTEAD Gary was an excellent friend and will be greatly missed. I could always count on him for sound advice and guidance. There are fond memories of our time spent together and long phone conversations
Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Rick and Sue
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Patrick Shaw Our hearts and prayers are with you! Another great guy gone too soon.
I served with Gary in the RCMP in Saskatoon. Rest In Peace my friend!
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Debbie and Frank Ottenbreit Our deepest heartfelt condolences. Gary was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed by all that knew him. The world has lost another bright light.
So very sorry for your loss.
Big hugs Frank and Debbie Ottenbreit
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Gerry Lister My condolences and sympathies to the Owens family. Gary was very helpful to me when I was badge collecting and assisted me when I put a number of displays together for my department’s 100th anniversary. He was a wealth of information and a great guy. He will be missed. RIP Gary.
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Bill Harrison I’m shocked to hear of GARY’S passing. I didn’t even know he was sick. I first met Gary when he was transferred to Glaslyn out of training in 1962 and when, I was T i/c Glaslyn Det. Introduced him to the Reid family (Betty’s) and, the rest is history. Worked with him on-and-off over the next 30+ years. Sometimes he scared the hell out of me but, we survived. Rest in peace my friend.
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Faye McNall Gary was so loved by us and we will remember his smiles, big hugs and our times together that we enjoyed so much. Life will not be the same for us Gary without you. Love Faye xo
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Jim Cook Please know Owens family that you are all in my heart and have been close through all the prayers I have been saying since finding out my friend Gary, was so sick. Over the years in the Mounted Police I have met and admired many of the brave, loyal men who made the choice to serve our great Country. I met Gary in Saskatoon where I was serving in a capacity that sometimes brought much danger, and every single time I arrived back home, Gary would be one of the very first bosses to take me aside and ask how I was doing, and Gary reminded me that he was always there if I needed to talk. Besides working together to fight crime and or evil as he would say, and always a special laugh after, we shared “war” stories of our time in the Force, I could sit for hours listening to some of the adventures he had had, but I will never forget the time Gary and I worked very together to guard the Prime Ministers wife Mela Mulroney, her and her aide were staying in a room at the Besbourough Hotel, and one afternoon she came over and asked if we wanted to join her as she had ordered up chocolate Sundaes for us all. So there we were eating ice cream Brian’s wife who was a very nice lady. I could write for hours more about my special friend, I called him Sarge, and had the greatest respect for him, his love of the Mounted Police was always evident, but his love for his family came first. As Dave told me last week, he was sure his Dad, would find a ball in Heaven and would find our sweet Son Zach and play catch with him, there is no doubt Gary would do just that. I wished I could have worked in uniform with my friend, but was just glad to take his advice and guidance whenever he offered it. Please know you are always in our prayers, and Dave I promise we will get together soon. Sending our love to the Owens family! God Bless you all.
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Bill Gherasim Betty and Family, we know an awful lot of time has gone by since our time in North Battleford, but you and Gary were never forgotten. May Gary, our good friend, rest in peace. Bill & Val Gherasim
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Bill and Merilee Boyle Sorry to hear about Gary. Our thoughts are with you Betty, Trish and Dave.
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Roxanne Gary is going to live on through memories. He touched so many people’s lives, including mine. I’m sending all my love. I love that you chose the Gorge to celebrate his life. He will be smiling down on you all.
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Joan A Mants Betty, I’m am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. My heart aches to hear this news. He was such a special, wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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John & Cheryl Chyzyk Gary gave us happiness, honour and the opportunity to spend precious time with a wonderful person.
He will always be remembered!
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Marilyn Wieler Betty, Dave & Trish
Sorry to hear that Gary passed. You are in my prayers.
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Katrina Aldridge and Family Our deepest and most sincere condolences to the family. Gary was one heck of an incredible man. I hope to come and pay my respects on the 24th…to a man who was always smiling and who would always go out of his way to come say hello everytime we crossed paths. You will be greatly missed Gary. May you rest in Paradise. Til we meet again.
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Erin Willcocks Betty and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will never forget Gary, and how both he and Betty took me in and made me feel like part of their family when I was a young RCMP officer in need of a safe place to land, and rented out their basement suite. I enjoyed spending time laughing and joking, joining in on parties upstairs, having Gary cook me a steak on the bbq, and talking to Betty when I needed advice. I wish I could be there to say good bye, but know that I am thinking of the family and sending my love – All of my Heart, Erin F.
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Elsie Czuy Dear Betty and family, so very sad to read about Gary’s passing. Thinking about you at this difficult time. My deepest condolences. Love friend Elsie.
I knew Gary back in the 1980s when he acquired a friend’s US badge collection. There was one badge that I wanted for my collection and offered to buy it. Gary knew it meant something to me so he just handed it to me, i still have it. I was saddened to read of his passing……