It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Rowland on December 4, 2005, in Winnipeg, from complications of diabetes.
Gary was born in the old Burns Lake Hospital, May 12, 1947.
He was predeceased by his mother Queenie, and father Ted.
Lovingly remembered by his brothers, Gord (Anita), Doug (Sonja); nieces, Kim (Arnie), Laureen (Peter), Brenda (Calvin), Michelle (Rich), and nephews, Ted (Deb), Kurt (Arlynne), Brett (Jill), and many cousins, longtime friends, and his good friends at Carlton Place and Qu’Appelle Housing.
Gary attended Decker Lake Elementary School, later graduating from Burns Lake Senior Secondary School.
After graduation, Gary worked for CFLD Radio in Burns Lake and Smithers. He then had a short, and quite an adventurous stint traveling throughout North America with the circus. He later lived in Terrace for a few years, where he worked for Rowford Wire Rope, The Terrace Sentinel and Skeena Hotel.
Gary later studied hotel management and moved to Winnipeg, where he managed the St. Regis Hotel. He moved to Red Lake, Ontario, for the next 20 years, and worked as a motel manager, an accountant, and an employee for Griffith Mines.
Gary loved sports; particularly baseball, and umpired fastball for many years. He golfed, curled, and had just begun wheelchair floor hockey in Winnipeg.
He had a keen interest in politics and was on council for the Town of Red Lake and the Red Lake School Board.
Gary was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, and a Christian Church Leader.
He volunteered as a palliative care worker, community festival leader, and was a member of the Lion’s Club and the Royal Canadian Legion.
Gary spent the last six years in Winnipeg where he worked for Ipsos-Read Marketing Research until deteriorating health forced him to retire.
While living at Carlton Place and Qu’Appelle Housing, Gary volunteered much of his time organizing recreational activities for the residents.
Gary loved his family and enjoyed time spent with his nieces and nephews and his many friends when he was able to visit in Decker Lake and Burns Lake.
A very special memory for Gary was a family reunion in 2002 at Rose Lake, where he was able to be with his family and many extended family members.
A memorial service was held at the Qu’Appelle Housing complex with Pastor Bruce Logan from Calvary Temple officiating.
A memorial service will be held later at Rose Lake, with internment at the Rose Lake Cemetery.
We miss you Gary.
A special thank you to Tracy Helgeson and Allan Henderson for your friendship to Gary, and for all of your help, and for taking care of the arrangements. To Terry McIntosh and Joanne Legault of Qu’Appelle Housing, for all of your help and concern for Gary while he was a resident there. To Kelly, for always being a faithful friend. To all of the residents and staff from both complexes who were always so caring and supportive of Gary. A special thank you to Gary’s very dear friends who visited him when traveling through Winnipeg. He cherished those visits. We will not forget any of your kindnesses.
Gary’s Family