Obituaries

BROWN, Gary

March 12, 1937 - October 23, 2020

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Gary Alan Brown early in the morning of Friday, October 23, 2020, at Kelowna General Hospital, Kelowna, BC, surrounded by his loving family.

Gary was born on March 12, 1937 in Calgary, Alberta. He was the first-born child of Alan and Elizabeth Brown (both deceased).

Gary was both a wonderful husband and a wonderful father. Our love for him is beyond measure.

Beloved husband of Heather (née Closs). Loving father of Cara (Maureen Mallmes), Lisa (Laura Warner), Matthew (Melissa Michaud), and Catherine Schaad (Jordan). Loving grandfather of Sophia, Johnny, and baby Drew. Dearly missed brother of Greg, Brenda Brown, and Jo (Tom Bradley). Cherished brother-in-law of Brian Closs (Timothy Rawson), Karen LaRose, Terry Closs, Bonnie Delay (Sebastian Agosta), Ralph Closs (Carrie Lynn), and Susan Stapleton. Dear nephew of Teresa MacEachern, Ken and Helen Gustafson, and Joan McPhee. Much loved uncle of several nieces and nephews throughout British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Gary will also be sadly missed by Winston.

Gary received an Honours Physics Degree from the University of Alberta and followed up with a teaching degree from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

His working career of over 40 years began as a Physicist at Western Research in Calgary, Alberta. In 1973, Gary accepted a teaching position at Cambrian College and moved his young family to Sudbury, Ontario where he later became Chair/Professor of the Electronic Engineering Technology Program. Gary was well respected amongst his friends and colleagues for his brilliant mind. In 1989, Gary returned home to Western Canada and settled in Kelowna, BC, where he had been given the unique opportunity to develop, chair, and teach in the Water Quality Technology Program at Okanagan University College, retiring in 2002. Throughout Gary’s teaching career he made a positive impact on thousands of students, many of whom continued to keep in touch with Gary up to this day.

While building his professional career, he also devoted much of his time in giving back to the community through the sport of Ringette. Gary was the proud father of three exceptional ringette playing daughters. Not only did Gary coach Ringette at various levels (in both Sudbury and Kelowna) and operate summer ringette camps, he also co-authored the book ‘The Game Girls Play’ in 1978 and followed up with another book titled ‘Ringette… The Next Generation’ in 2003. In 1982 Gary was inducted into the Ontario Ringette Hall of Fame for his service/dedication to the sport.

Of all the roles Gary had during his life, the two he cherished most were being a husband and father. Time spent with Gary was certain to include laughter and many, many Gary-isms. Gary fully believed in furthering one’s education and strongly encouraged and supported each one of us as we pursued our post-secondary degrees. As ever the proud husband and father, he cheered the loudest at every one of our graduation ceremonies.

For the past eight years our family travelled together on a very heartbreaking journey. Gary refused to be defined by his illness and was determined to live his best life – which he did. One of his main goals was to stay living at home during his entire illness, and he succeeded. In the early to middle stages, Gary would spend several hours each day at the college library completing research that was very important to him. In the last stage, Gary would go out for daily walks or be taken for drives in the community he loved. Our family will be forever grateful for all the acts of kindness, friendships, prayers, and compassion shown to our Gary through his illness.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Alex Canning sincerely for his outstanding care and compassion for our Gary.

In addition, we are thankful to the staff at Kelowna General Hospital for the excellent care given to Gary in his final days. We are also grateful to the hospital staff for their kindness and compassion shown to all our family during Gary’s short stay, especially under such strict conditions.

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, from 3-5 pm at Springfield Funeral Home (2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC) followed by prayers at 6 pm at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church (839 Sutherland Avenue, Kelowna, BC). If you would like to attend please click on the link below to be able to register for contact tracing.

The Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 10:00 in the morning at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church. If you are unable to attend, the funeral will also be live-streamed at https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=khne8NYfrX0

Due to the limited number of spaces, if you wish to attend the viewing, prayers and/or Gary’s funeral please email Heather at [email protected]. An email will be sent to you confirming your attendance.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gary’s name to the Alzheimer’s Society, www.alzheimer.ca, would be appreciated. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com

Link: www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/obituaries/brown-gary

Condolence Messages

Jan 14, 2021
Just learned of Gary’s passing through a Cambrian College group 76. My condolences go out to Gary’s family. Gary definitely made a huge difference in my life and a few other old friends I know. When I was enjoying my social life way more then my education he showed me with some well chosen words that I needed to straighten out. That stirred me enough to become the person I am today. Thank you so much for caring so much. You will always be admired and respected in my mind. Rest in Gods love my friend.
Nov 08, 2020
Sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He taught me Instrumentation at Cambrian College which was very challenging. I think everyone has a few teachers that influenced them in some way. Gary is one of the few teachers that I tell stories about. He was a man of logic and he had a passion for teaching, He ended up having a huge influence in my life in a positive way, when I saw his heart and he helped me pass Instrumentation at a rather stressful time in my life. Blessing to his family! Rob Price
Oct 30, 2020
Heather and family I am sorry to hear of the loss of Gary. May God bless you with Peace and Love from family and friends as you have shown your beloved husband and father.

Sandy Kavanagh
Oct 26, 2020
Heather and family thank you for the call, I will miss my friend, he was truly unique, and dynamic, we worked well together for years, You are in my thoughts, wish I could be there to say farewell to my Bud.

Joan Gallagher-Becker
Oct 25, 2020
Heather and family, we are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. We are thinking of you during this difficult time. Keep you memories close to your heart.

Alan & Gayle Turlock
Oct 25, 2020
Heather & family...So sorry to hear of Gary's passing...it was a pleasure to know Gary and you Heather when we worked at OUC (OC) our prayers and thoughts are with you.

Shirley Galenkamp and Randy Nagel
Oct 25, 2020
Heather, I am so very sorry for your loss of Gary. Your total focus on his welfare over these years has been incredible and shows your absolute and wonderful love for him. I pray for peace for all of you as you move forward.....Wendy (from Dr. Canning’s)
Oct 25, 2020
Heather and family. We never had the opportunity to meet Catherine's father, but if he was anything like his youngest daughter, then we really missed someone very special. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time. May Gary finally be at peace and his legacy live on forever amongst his loved ones.

Maureen & Ervin Schaad
Oct 25, 2020
Heather and Family:

Now that much of the stress and turmoil is finally o’er . . .

May Gary rest in blessed peace for evermore…

And may you all find inner strength in knowing you did your very best . . .

To show him so much love and care before he went to rest . . .

Yes in his life you each played a very commendable part . .

Now may all those fond memories you have of him linger in your heart . . .

Warmest condolences,

Gordon Ledinski
Oct 24, 2020
We are very sorry for your loss of your Husband , Father, Grandfather, educator and most of all your Love for his family . LeeAnn, Randy Slater
Oct 24, 2020
Heather,Catherine, Matt and family, such a beautiful tribute to your Gary. You have all been through such a journey. You have travelled this road with love and determination... Gary was a testament to this love. We are here if you need anything.

Greg, Kathy and family.
Oct 24, 2020
Heather and family I was very sorry to learn of Gary’s passing. Please keep all tho loving memories close to your hearts. He was a lovely man. My prayers are with you and the family. God Bless all of you

Lillian Moller