Obituary of Gary Charles Phillips

Gary Charles Phillips was born June 18, 1950 in High River, Alberta and passed away at Capital Care Norwood, Edmonton, Alberta on April 22, 2019.

A Celebration of Life in memory of Gary will be conducted from Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Monday, May 6, 2019 at 1:00 PM. 

Donations in memory of Gary may be made to Grace United Church (Lloydminster) Fair Booth or Benevolent Fund, Bea Fisher Centre Hardship Fund or donor's choice of a local charity. 

Gary's memorial card can be viewed or downloaded from the link below: 

https://indd.adobe.com/view/4aed252c-fb47-48be-bd00-5fe302ea6da1

Eulogy:

Gary Charles Phillips, born June 18, 1950 and passed away peacefully at the CapitalCare Norwood in Edmonton on April 22, 2019, with his wife Sherlane and her sister Marilyn Parsons at his side.

Gary was a quiet, and unassuming, a reserved man who touched the lives of many people in his 68 years.  A husband, father, and grandfather.  Gary's life began on the farm near High River, Alberta. His parents and family lived in the smaller communities of  Whiskey Gap, Barnwell and Kirkcaldy.  He took his schooling when the family lived in Nakusp, British Columbia, graduating in 1967.

After graduation Gary entered the Canadian Armed Forces, enlisting in the Canadian Air Force as an air traffic control assistant.  His first posting was Greenwood, Nova Scotia where he met and married his first wife Susan.  The couple were posted to Frankfurt, then Lahr, Germany.  It was in Lahr, their son Gregory Charles was born in 1976.  Gary came back to Canada to Goose Bay, Labrador and was a Master Corporal when he left the forces.

Susan recalls that Gary on his days off worked as a bartender at the Junior Ranks Club in Greenwood and Lahr.  He rode a Triumph motorcycle in his younger days and often told Sherlane he wanted to purchase a bike for his retirement.  At the time when Gary was to receive an award for 35 years of service he joked with George, the Director at the Bea Fisher Centre, who at the time was interested in selling his bike ... that maybe the bike could be presented to him.

Gary's son, Gregory Charles (Greg) Phillips followed in the tradition and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy where he met his future wife, Tricia Soucey. They married in 2003, have been posted to several communities and are presently stationed at the Canadian Forces Base in Petawawa, Ontario.  Greg is a Master Warrant Officer, while Tricia is a Warrant Officer and they have two young sons, Ryder and Rowan. The family enjoys all seasons of the year, but especially outdoor adventures in the winter on the ski-hills around where they live. The boys enjoy school, hockey, Taekwondo and being active.

When Gary and Sherlane met he stated that he left Ontario and was headed back to where the family lived in southern Alberta.  But as funds ran out he made it as far as Lloydminster and found work first in the oil patch as a roughneck on a service rig for a year.

Gary then started an apprenticeship program with Lloydminster Plumbing and Heating.  After a very short experience Gary was seriously injured on the job and unable to continue to pursue this line of work.

As fate would have it he started work for the Lloydminster Sheltered Workshop and Training Centre Society.  In November of 1980 he was hired as a night supervisor in the old residence number one. The centre was later renamed the Bea Fisher Centre.  Gary was aiming for 40 years, in November of 2018 he started his 39th year working with the organization before becoming ill in January of this year.

Between 1983-1986 Gary took the Rehabilitation Practitioner Certificate Program through Grant MacEwan Community College.  In May 1981 Gary moved from working the residential system to the bottle depot as an instructor, in 1985 was the acting manager there.  That same year he moved to the main shop to the activity department and it was here that Gary took on many roles including Meals on Wheels, the Seniors program, the Opportunity and Access Program, which is currently known as the Alberta Employment Program.

Gary dedicated his time and energy to ensure his clients were active in the community and he had the opportunity to witness and be part of the growth of many of the individuals as well as the organization he worked for.

Gary was well known for a few of the jobs he did … like the Monday bottle contract, the Tuesday/Thursday paper delivery for both the Meridian Booster and the Source, and the Meridian Source most recently, Wednesday soup and bannock and Friday coffee run.  Visits with clients to local fast food and restaurants or at the Lloydminster Public Library.

He was most noted for the position of the “fire drill warden”.  His co-workers often commented about the interruption from their workday and even when it was minus 40 below … they would all complain about the cold and he would laugh and say “Just Get Outside”.

Gary was an industrious, hard working, and stubborn person and often worked more than one job. His record was four jobs at one time: the Bea Fisher Centre, Guard at the Lloydminster and Onion Lake RCMP detachments … squeezing in Turtleford once in a while. 

He worked for Francis and Heather Gray at the Petro Canada.  Here he and a good friend and coworker Pete Campbell were often seen opening up or closing down the gas bar.  At the same time he worked casually at the concession for the Bobcat's.

Heather recalls that in order to accommodate all these shifts, Gary would work twenty-four hours without a break.  At this point Sherlane, put her foot down and said “something has to go” … he conceded and worked only two jobs.

Gary volunteered and was active in the community with such organizations as Scouts Canada, and the Royal Canadian Legion. Gary liked to camp, but hated being out in the water.  He'd work bingos, casino nights, sold tickets, bar-tended, canvassed for Canadian Diabetes and Heart and Stroke just because he could.

His best years were when involved with Big Brothers, which later amalgamated to be known as Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Gary served on the Board of Directors, but enjoyed most the opportunity to share time with two young boys as their Big Brother. 

One match in particular was special with his little brother Kevin Glenn. The two formed a very close bond that remained so even after Kevin aged out of the program at sixteen. They enjoyed playing cards, board games, bike riding, going to movies, and hockey games. Kevin one summer got to holiday and meet everyone at a Koch-Brown family reunion. When Sherlane and Gary were married Kevin was an usher.

Gary was one of the founding members for the Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society which was the parent organization to the Lloydminster Men's Shelter. Gary was also an approved trustee through Saskatchewan Social Services and worked with a dependent adult on social assistance.  With this position Gary received compensation which in turn he gave back to the client to improve his quality of life.

Gary was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion the local Branch. For a few years he was on a Dart League and he and his sister-in-law, Marie Fitzsimonds, had a well matched partnership at the regular cribbage tournaments. He loved to play cards and was eager to start a game of canasta at the annual Ketchum Merry Boxing Day celebrations or anytime you could get four players together.

In the early years living in Lloydminster he was a involved in a bowling league and also played ball and was awarded recognition for being the player “most late” for games.  Likely because he was just getting off work.

Gary had a love of movies, or dramatic/suspenseful series on television … these usually not the kind Sherlane enjoyed.  He would often go to double features at the theatre, showing up for both the 7 and 9 pm shows on Tuesday cheap night. We wondered if he stayed awake in the theatre long enough to watch the second show.

Which brings us to Gary and sleep! Gary could fall asleep anywhere and anytime which included staff meetings, trainings, family dinners, and even right in the middle of a conversation at coffee or visiting with family or friends. All he had to do was relax, often Sherlane would try to ease the remote from his hand. Yet, he would insist, “I'm not sleeping, just resting my eyes”  His eyes would remain closed and his head would begin again to nod. But a clear sign he really was sleeping was when hearing his signature snore. A snore that you could hear down in the basement of the house or surely in the cul-du-sac where they lived!

Gary and Sherlane were both confirmed members of the Grace United Church and involved on committees and Gary was in the choir.  During the summer both would be found in the “Popcorn Corner” at the church's fair booth. They would plan their holidays based on the dates for Colonial Days in July and the CPCA Finals in August.

At first it would involve family and close friends that offered to help. Many youth and young adults were taught the fine art of sales and the hard reality of commission. It was to become a multi-generational endeavor beginning with Adele, later Logan and Tanner. Then their grandchildren, Corben, Claire and Isaac, more recent were nieces, nephews and their families getting involved.

At the end of each summer they were exhausted and yet the next year would bring another chance to work with wonderful church families and friends and they valued all time and talent shared with them.

Gary often told Heather Gray that he was never going to retire as he was intending to work until he no longer could and in that regards Gary got his wish.

Sherlane and Gary were both members of the One Parent Family Association and the Lloydminster Minus One Club. Gary began coming to the dances with friends and at one of these occasions Sherlane asked him to dance. Gary stated “he did not dance” to which Sherlane responded “everyone could dance” and got him up on the floor.  In time and when the opportunity came they would dance up to four nights a week.

They took dance lessons to improve their technique and old time dances were their favorite and they met a lot of friends during their time with the club.

When both of Gary's roommates moved away … he again was in need of a place to live.  Sherlane had the solution … so after about three years dating Gary moved into the basement of her house.  A couple of years went by and Adele started school at Martin Browne.  In 1987 Gary and Sherlane made the decision to move and purchase a house together this year they will have lived in the same house for thirty-two years.  Adele started grade two at Rendell Park School the year it opened. This was a new start for all three of them. 

At this time Sherlane decided to take the initiative and made the first move and asked Gary to marry.  The proposal was not your ordinary one, Sherlane had found a man's wedding band in the mud and with the mud still on the ring came home, got down on one knee and asked for his hand in marriage. Gary was taken back and was not sure if she was serious … he realized she was indeed popping the question. He accepted the ring and later they picked out their official engagement bands and wedding ring.

They married March 25, 1989, Gary's son Greg, was unable to attend and therefore Adele assumed the roles of junior bridesmaid, ring bearer and gave permission for Gary to take Sherlane's hand in marriage.  Rev. Harold Martin officiated and they were married at the Grace United Church. This year while at CapitalCare Norwood the couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with family at their side.

From this union was born two sons, Logan in 1990, fourteen months later Tanner was born in 1991. Gary and Sherlane supported the kids interest in soccer, and bowling.  Adele joined Girl Guides of Canada, Tanner joined Air Cadets and the kids were involved with the church's play and sing, hand bells and church school, as well as activities based on their school interests.

Adele and Dave were married in 2006 and have a family of three – Corben, the oldest graduated from Grade 12 this year. Claire is the organizer of the family and loves to dance, Isaac is the hockey and ball player. 

Logan lives and works in Edmonton and enjoys time with his D&D friends or visiting with family on occasion. Tanner also from Edmonton is the father to our youngest grandchild, 19 month old, Ethelsa. His little girl was our stress release and the entertainment when visiting Papa, and the staff  loved her visits.

Between 2001 and 2017 the family grew to include six grandchildren. Gary and Sherlane were proud of the parents and the grandchildren and took joy and pride in watching them grow and follow their passions in life.

Gary had a love for travel, but was not one to plan ahead. Sherlane on the other hand was the worst back seat driver and was more comfortable to have plans and confirmations made in advance. Tanner can explain the time he was given about one and half hours to get ready when his Dad got up one morning and decided to make a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to visit with a cousin Kendra and her husband Gator.

They only had four days as Tanner had to be back in Edmonton. They drove to Saskatoon overnight, then to visit Greg and Tricia in Sanford, Manitoba. They stayed overnight and drove to their destination, visited and left the next day to return home. Almost to the border they had tire troubles and could not get them fixed till the next morning. The van was fixed and then they drove non-stop back to Lloydminster.  Then on to Edmonton, Gary drove back to Lloydminster and went to work the next day.

Tanner also loved traveling he and his Dad made a trip to Seattle for two Toronto Blue Jays games and the trip of a lifetime to Europe with the Air Cadets. Gary was so privileged to accompany his father Lloyd Phillips on the Alaska cruise. They enjoyed the history and landscape on that trip.

Gary drove back to Nakusp, British Columbia to visit with John and Gwen Hall, friends from back in his school days.  He always had lots to say when returning home, catching up with those he hadn't seen for years.

Sherlane was more excited to attend the Koch-Brown and Phillips family reunions held every three years.  Ancestry and the discovery of family roots is a passion of hers.  She would often let Gary know of a new discovery in his family tree.  He would listen and then say “well that's nice, we'll have to let the family know at the next reunion.”

Gary's memories, stories and even the odd dry humor will live on through his family. He is survived by his wife, Sherlane M.E. Phillips ; his sons, Logan Phillips ; Tanner Phillips and his daughter, Ethelsa (all from Edmonton, AB) ; Greg (Tricia) Phillips and their children, Ryder and Rowan (Petawawa, ON) ; his daughter, Adele Johnson / Dave Hickson and their children, Corben Johnson, Claire and Isaac Hickson (Lamoureux, AB).

Gary's sisters - Carol (Keith) Harris (Champion, AB) ; Linda (Gerard) Gottselig (Calgary, AB) ; his brother, Donald Ransom (Elizabeth) (Calgary, AB) ; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Marilyn (Ian) Parsons (Sherwood Park, AB) ; Deloris (Earl) Bennett-Ketchum (Vimy AB) ; Donelda (Ian) McCoy (Lloydminster, SK).

Nieces and nephews - Sherry (Chris) Frank ; Keith (Andrea) Harris ; Ione (Randy) Liberty ; Kristina (Jim) McKinstry ; Craig Gottselig ; Rhonda (Sheldon) Cote ; Edwin Haney ; Preston Parsons ; Lyndsie (Andrew) Stennett ; Mckenzie Bennett-Ketchum ; Kellie (Kurt) Lorenz ; Bekki (Ryan) Fossen ;  Geordie (Becky) Fitzsimonds ; Brad McCoy (Tanya Price) ; Alix McCoy, Rick McCoy as well and much loved Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, great nieces, great nephews and extended family members.

Gary was predeceased by both his parents, Lloyd (Dorothy) Phillips, his father-and mother-in-law, Edwin (Andrea) Ketchum. His sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Brian Parsons ; Marie and Brian Fitzsimonds ; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Heartfelt thanks goes out for care and compassionate staff at the Lloydminster Hospital, the University of Alberta Hospital, and CapitalCare Norwood. To staff at Park Memorial (Edmonton), Brett and staff at McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. (Lloydminster)

Rev. Chelsea Masterman (GUC,  Edmonton), Joyce Dickson, Rev. Cathy Kinsman (GUC, Lloydminster) for words of wisdom, songs, and live streamed services for prayers, and faith on our family's journey.

Grace United Church friends, Karen Fawcett and the choir, UCW catering for a celebration service that was beyond expectations, for music, the luncheon, and of course popcorn. Clint Hickson at Trophy Gallery, Jeannine and Marcel Zeschuck at Harvest Moon Photography, Amanda Barr and family, Mike (Karen) Phillips, Ian Parsons, those helping to clean the house, set up the BBQ, and deck tables/chairs, for all assistance …. during the winter months both at home and in Edmonton.

Bea Fisher staff and clients, co-workers at Onion Lake RCMP detachment, to staff at the Lloydminster Public Library and Library Board … thanks for your visits, calls, text messages; for fundraisers, sleepovers for prayers and all kindness shown before, during and after our loss … we are forever grateful … and words can only say so much.

To Adele/Dave, Logan, Tanner, Greg/Tricia and our grandchildren this was not an easy journey.  You are to be commended for stepping forward when needed and working together and for continued support in the days moving forward.

Special thanks to Gary's sisters, brother and family, to my sisters, to nieces, nephews. For visits, shopping sprees, shaves, and haircuts, for overnight stays with Gary to give Sherlane a break. Without all of you by our side the journey till the end would have been unbearable … you made those days brighter and gave our family strength and encouragement.

Memories last only if you share them and we now have many to read and share in the future as a wonderful reminder of our “Angel” in heaven.

As ever and always … Thank You All from Sherlane and family and the Phillips families …