Gary passed away November 23, 2011 at VGH, with his wife, Mary-Kate, and children Tony, Jessica and Julia by his side. He fought a hard battle and gave it his best shot with a bone marrow transplant on September 2nd, 2011.
Gary is survived by his wife and fishing/hunting partner Mary-Kate, his children, Tony, Jessica and Julia, step-daughters, Carrie and Katie Dunlop, all of Chilliwack, BC sister Lynda (Don), niece Holly (Nathan), sister Kathy (Doug), brother Greg (Mary-Therese), niece Carly, nephew Ian (Kim), all of Kitchener, Ontario as well as many aunts, uncles, and extended family.
He was predeceased by his father George Mitchell and his mother Florence Mitchell of Kitchener, Ontario. Gary was born August 24th, 1953 in Kitchener, Ontario. He headed out west in a mini with his friend Joe Weber and 2 guitars not long after high school and decided to call BC home. What better place for such an avid outdoorsman. Gary met his ultimate “partner” Mary-Kate in December of 2007 and they wed in May of 2010. They lived a lifetime of adventures in the 4 years they were together.
Gary loved to frequent second-hand and antique stores, and was always so proud of the “treasures” he would find and couldn’t wait to “share” them with his friends and family. He was a partner, father, friend, handyman, musician, artist and comedian. He lived to fish and hunt and loved being with nature. He had a healthy curiosity about everything surrounding him. He was larger than life and could make anyone laugh in an instant. He loved to experience anything new, and shared his experiences with all around him. He was generous to a fault and touched many lives. He had an infectious laugh and could find the humor in anything.
Hook, Line and Sinker, my Love.
A special thanks to the team of doctors and nurses at the St. Pauls Hospital Hematology Unit and the VGH Leukemia BMT Unit. Gary was treated with love and respect from beginning until end.
A memorial service will be held on December 13th, 2011 at 1:00 p.m., at the Chilliwack Fish and Game Club (48685 Chilliwack Lake Rd.). A further service will be held for his Ontario family and friends. Details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to the leukemia BMT unit or VGH/UBC foundation in Gary’s name would be greatly appreciated.