Ted Garnett 'bigger than life'

Photo: Dean Garnett

Dean Garnett remembers his father as being "bigger than life."

"He was very gruff to start with but he had a soft heart deep down," Dean said. 

His father was prominent Penticton businessman Ted Garnett, former president and partner of Apex Mountain Resort and founder of Pacific Rim Equipment, formerly Garnett Equipment. 

Ted passed away peacefully following illness on April 18, 2018. Born in England in 1941, Ted moved to Canada in his youth and graduated high school in Cloverdale, where he met his future wife Norma. They married in 1963, and had two sons before moving to Penticton in 1969.

"He was a hardworking guy, he had a very strong work ethic," Dean said. "As a dad, he really supported us, me and my brother Dave."

Ted went on to be involved in many successful businesses in the Penticton area, including Pacific Rim and Apex, the Penticton Speedway, Valley Waste and 1912 Restaurant. But his true passion later in life was his six grandchildren.

"He was totally smitten by [them], they had him wrapped around their little fingers," Dean said. 

Ted enjoyed camping and fishing, and had a mischievous personality.

"He was forever joking," Dean said. "He had a boat, and he'd make it go 100 miles an hour and then put it in reverse right away and it would actually just soak everybody in the boat. Practical joker, I guess."

Dean said his father is greatly missed.

Friends of Ted and the family, as well as customers and anyone who knew Ted are invited to a celebration of life at Pacific Rim Equipment on Saturday, June 16 at 4 p.m. There will be live music, beverages, food and the Jeffers Fry Truck to celebrate Ted's memory.

The family asks attendees that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Ted Garnett's name to the Penticton Hospital Foundation, though the most important thing is simply their presence.