STRAIN,
Garry William
Oct. 1 1951 - June 3, 2006
It is with a very heavy heart that I must announce the passing of my dearly loved brother, Garry William Strain, as he lost his battle with cancer on Saturday, June 3rd. Garry is survived by myself, Terry, and our brothers Wayne and Bob, as well as our sister Betty Hong. Our mother, Elsie who pre-deceased him in 1966 and our father, who passed in the late 1990s, will greet him in Heaven. He greatly appreciated that our brothers and sister, who needed to travel some distance, and many close friends were able to visit him while his time on Earth was nearing an end. He will be dearly missed by us, including his sister-in-law, Celia Tumanda, who spent many happy years sharing his friendship, and our daughter, Angela, who he especially doted upon, spending his happiest days with her during the last 10 years. Since Garry had no children of his own, he was an extraordinary uncle to her, helping us in many ways, which she will happily carry as fond memories for her whole life. Garry was also very fond of my other daughter Amanda, and was able to spend many happy days in her company as well.
Garry would be best known in Campbell River for the many carvings he made during the 1990s when we lived at 578 South Island Highway, where I was known for restoring classic Mustangs. He would display his many various carvings of salmon, animals, cartoon characters and several dedicated to Angela. It was a popular stopping point for locals and tourists alike, so many will be lucky to own a keepsake of a local artisan. He was forced to end his hobby when he became afflicted with cancer and his health began to suffer.
Garry was born in Kimberley, BC and in his early years we moved to Vancouver Island to spend 10 happy years in Nanaimo, where his love of fishing was fostered, which remained with him his whole life, with his highlight of landing a 45 lb. Tyee in the river at Kitimat, BC.
He spent several years working at the tar sands of Fort McMurray and also in the coal mine at Grande Cache, Alberta. He operated heavy-duty trucks and crawler tractors, and I was told he was a great catskinner. In the mid 1990s, I taught him to drive highway tractor-trailer, and we worked together and apart at that for several years before circumstances led us to Campbell River, with his arrival in 1990. He loved the area and its beauty so he never left the area except on a family holiday, so Campbell River became his home for the remainder of his far too short life.
We all miss him deeply and it will be lonely without him for us, especially Angela, and our love for him will remain forever...
Terry Strain
Funeral Services will take place from Elk Falls Chapel, Elk Falls Memorial Cemetery on Friday, June 9th at 12 noon followed by interment at Elk Falls Cemetery. ISLAND FUNERAL SERVICES/ELK FALLS CREMATORIUM entrusted with arrangements.
ISLAND FUNERAL SERVICES
& ELK FALLS CREMATORIUM
and Memorial Chapel
#103-909 Island Highway
287-3366