Gary Walsh
May 12, 1946 - May 6, 2021
Gary lived in the Marquette community for his entire life. He started working at Marquette Co-op at the age of 19 and stayed for 24 years. It was followed by stints in construction, farm labour, and custom mowing. A few years later, he attended Red River College, graduating in 1996, as a Power Equipment Technician. After working at various small engine shops for a few years, he took a leap and went into business for himself. Mission Trail Small Engine filled his days and occasionally his evenings with mechanical challenges, successes, and head-scratching puzzlements, but with all of that came a huge variety of new acquaintances with interesting stories. And it was a wonderful way for him to connect with his many friends and neighbours. News flash: men love to gossip! After he retired there was even more work to do. Unfortunately, he wasn’t quite able to get it all done. His family will do their best to try and finish all the things he had started or planned to start. Karen will miss the sustaining, accepting, quiet presence of her partner of the last 49 years.
Derek has already stepped in to Dad’s shoes even though, as he said, they are hard to fill. As the firstborn child and especially as a teenager, Derek put his dad through his paces with his multicoloured hair and car escapades but here he is now, the father of four in partnership with their awesome mom Erin. Sofie has been Grandpa’s chief hugger, gymnastics champ, and extremely talented artist. Wyatt is a budding mechanic, gardener, and builder of everything. “Are you going to be using that lumber?” was a question often directed at Grandpa. Emmett is a lover of sharp objects and collector of keys. Many cuddles were enjoyed on Grandpa’s lap while “helping” him play Solitaire on his iPad. Leo is the future Kubota tractor operator. Grins, waves, and dimples made every day special for Grandpa.
Derek’s most recent memories involve asking Dad if he can borrow a tool with his reply often being, “It’s in the shop on the counter by the door.” Trying to find a tool in Dad’s shop was like trying to find a needle in a stack of greasy needles.
Kevin, as a little boy, was Dad’s motivator, sometimes helping him out by finishing his tea so he could get back to work. He has always been the caregiver and still is. As a young man he often wanted to try new things, so it was no big surprise when he brought us our first grandchildren, ready made and looking for fun. Codie was a sweet little boy who grew into an amazing young man; a gentle, loving magnet for children. Codie will miss his secret handshake with Grandpa. Chasity was the chief pancake making buddy after sleepovers; now a beautiful young woman, always ready with a smile and a hug. Caramello was hardly more than a baby when we met her, now a young woman, fearsome defender of rights with a twinkle in her eye and a ready comment.
Tyler completed the set of three sons. He always seemed a little more extroverted than his brothers, showing no fear of microphones or cameras, thus providing plenty of entertainment. Recently, he developed a flare for Lego stop-motion videos, causing Dad to pop a few buttons. Tyler and our other awesome mom Carly, provided two more grandsons for Grandpa to brag about.
Jack, an all-round nice guy, sports fanatic, and a teenager to be proud of. Grandpa enjoyed every game of hockey and baseball he watched you play. “More exciting than the pros!” He also quite enjoyed the Monopoly game he won that time too. Noah is our collector of a million facts, all retrievable instantly when needed, a voracious reader of books and Grandpa’s favourite flag football player. He thought your giggle was the best. Jack and Noah’s favourite memories of Grandpa are trips out to the farm in the winter for sleigh rides behind the tractor, hot dog roasts in the middle of the bush, and the yearly Grey Cup party.
Sometime after his own sons were grown, and again thanks to Kevin, Gary inherited another son and working buddy. His name is Lester and he arrived fully grown. Gary’s life was changed for the better again. When Lester was around, that Kubota was his. Gary appreciated all the time they spent together working around the yard.
When Gary had his family surrounding him, it was his proudest and happiest time. We will dearly miss all of the stories he would tell - from the cars he used to own (the Plymouth Fury) to the case of his missing favourite hockey cards, thought lost for decades (we found them in 2013 and gave them back to him for his birthday). We will remember that it’s always time for ice cream, which Grandpa would suggest even if no grandchild asked for it, and of course we will always laugh over Dad’s most famous line, “Scared me didn’t I!,” coined on a family road trip to Minnesota.
Besides his immediate family, Gary is leaving behind his sister Shirley, brother-in-law Jim and their family, as well as his brother Don, sister-in-law Darlene and their family. On Karen’s side, he leaves brother-in-law Ernest, Brenda and their family, brother-in-law Richard, and brother-in-law Jim and his family.
His cousins will miss him at the next family reunion. Speaking of cousins, Cathy must get a special mention for changing the course of Gary’s life by arranging that fateful blind date. Gary also very much enjoyed his phone chats with friends Tom and Gary, as well as the visits that have been much too rare lately. Dear friends Pat and Rainer Kunau and their family are really extensions of our family. Sadly, Rainer has also left us but we like to think they will meet and Gary will let Rainer play on his new Kubota tractor.
Many thanks to everyone for all of their kind words and gestures of support. Gary was happy to have never left home.
One of the unfinished projects Gary leaves is the establishment of the Mission Trail Bottle Cabin, originally his Dad’s collection, at Woodlands Pioneer Museum. With the help of family and volunteers, it will get done. For anyone who so desires, memorial donations can be directed to the Woodlands Pioneer Museum.