November 25, 1943 – November 20, 2022
Garnie passed away with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jo-Ann, daughter Carrie, daughter Marla (Shawn),granddaughters, Mason and Logan and their father Perry, son, Jeff (Sara),grandsons, Aidan and Erik (Tracy) and twin great granddaughters, Lilith and Phoenix. He is also survived by his siblings, Russell, Judy, Margo, Jocelynne, Roxanne and their spouses and families and sister-in-law, Pat Mazan and her family.
He was predeceased by his parents Margaret and Gar and sister-in-law Marilyn.
Garnie and Jo-Ann met when they were teenagers. They lived in Morse Place and raised three children. They enjoyed a few years of camping with many friends. They had a school bus that Garnie converted to a family summer home on wheels, then he built the family cottage in Lee River in 1973.
They created countless family memories including boating, tubing, waterskiing, snowmobiling, riding dirt bikes and ATV’s.
Garnie converted the family cottage to their dream home and they moved out there in 2000.
They spent winters in Arizona and made many friendships throughout their life through the snowmobile club, the “Moncton Mooners”, their time at Lee River and in Arizona.
Garnie worked alongside his dad Gar and brother Russell at Garnet Amplifiers. After Garnet Amps he started his own contracting company. He was a “jack of all trades.” He could fix or build anything and was always willing to help anyone at any time.
“Papa”, you were one of a kind, you were loved more than you know! You are truly” UNFORGETTABLE”.
We would like to thank the staff at St. Boniface Hospital for the care he received during his time there.
As per Garnie’s request, there will not be a service. Please celebrate his life how he lived and how you remember him.
Friends and family are invited to share condolences and memories on Garnie’s memorial page by using the comment field below
Please note: there is a delay between when a comment is posted and when it appears on the memorial page.
What can we say ? We are heartbroken, there is a void that will never be filled, but you know that your strength will carry on through us, we will take care of Jo-Jo and all of the other things you wanted us to. Your sense of humor got us through until the end, we love you, and you were loved by so many, you are “Unforgettable” and we know you will come back and visit ❤️
Carrie, Marla, Shawn, Mason and Logan
Jo-Ann, Carrie,Marla,Jeff and families
My deepest condolences, 💔 I will cherish the wonderful memories we have made together the 4 of us over the years. I’m quite sure Raymond is waiting with drink in hand for Garnie. Garnie you will be missed. Rest in peace my friend.
Jo-Jo, Marla, Shawn, Carrie, Mason & Logan,
We are just so very sorry. There are never adequate words, there just aren’t. Garnie was bigger than life and has certainly left a void in the lives of all who knew and loved him. I’m so glad we got to spend some time with him recently so he could give his “approval” on Roy. Thank you for sharing your Papa with me over all of these years, he was truly a gift and left such a great impact on me. Take care of one another, reach out when you can and take it one moment at a time. We love you all so much.
Wendy & Roy
I am so very saddened to learn of Garnett’s passing and wish to extend my deepest sympathies and sincerest condolences to all his family. Garnett was a fantastic neighbour when he lived on Moncton. May the sun forever shine upon his face and the wind always be at his back. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
Sandy and I enjoyed the friendship of Garnie and Jo-Ann for over 50 years, as next-door neighbors for 30 or so, and from a distance after they moved to Lee River. Our memories of Garnie are all happy ones. We had countless pool-side and lakeside good times together, always filled with joy and laughter. Garnie and I curled together at Stony Mountain and played slo-pitch on the ‘Mooners’. Thursday nites in the summer were nothing but fun. As a neighbor and friend, Garnie was second-to-none. Our children were like a combined family and we will always cherish those times. Our deepest condolences to Jo-Ann and family. We hope to see you soon.
Jo-Ann and family
Our sympathy to you and family in the loss of Garnie. So many memories of our social days with bowling, snowmobiling and being welcome in your lovely home. May he be comforted in his new home with the angels looking over him.
Joanne and I were very saddened to hear of Garnie’s passing. We have many fond memories of our times with you at Lee River. We still find ourselves using many of his words of “wisdom” to this day. Jo and family please know we are thinking of you all and are sending our deepest sympathies and condolences. He was one of a kind.
Our heartfelt condolences to Jo-Ann and family. May your fondest memories help to ease the pain of your aching hearts.
John & Ingrid Silvari
Very saddened and surprised to read the obituary for Garnie. Had the pleasure of knowing him and meeting Jo-Ann. Through and along with Jack Campbell, I had a lot of real good times with Garnie. Playing slo-pitch in the Tee Kay league and in the John Bisson Memorial 40 plus league. Curling at Stony Mountain and enjoying his unique way of being Garnie. Also a bit of snowmobiling along the way added more great memories. My heart goes out to Jo-Ann and wishes her all the best in the days ahead.
I was saddened to read in the Free Press that my cousin Garnie had died. Too young from my perspective. I was also born in 1943. Garnie and I also shared his father’s name. I wish our families had spent more time together, but life didn’t happen that way.
I want to express my sympathy to Garnie’s wife and children, and to all my cousins for the loss of their brother.
Sincerely,
James Garnet Gillies
Gillies family,
My heart broke when my dad shared the news of Garnie’s passing. I am so very sorry for your loss. Some of my best childhood memories were the times Garnie and Jo-Ann let me tag along with Marla and the family to spend a weekend at the lake.
Sleeping in the play house Garnie built, learning how to water ski and drive the “Kitty Cat” were just some of the good times he helped us have.
Garnie was great encouraging us to be entrepreneurs, we would dream of all the money we were making and what kind of businesses we could create while we painted dots on the amplifier knobs in his garage.
He was always quick to make a joke or take us for a ride on any of the current projects he was working.
We will miss you Garnie! My thoughts and prayers to Jo-Ann, Marla, Carrie, Jeff and family. You have always been a second family to me.
Derek and I are very sorry to hear of Garnie’s passing. You and Garnie have
been friends since the start of Snowstompes in Winnipeg in 1970 and have partied and snowmobiled with us for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Joanne and family. He will greatly missed.
Dear Gillies Family
From all of us to all of you we send our deepest regrets and sympathies for your loss. The Gillies family homes, and cottages were especially safe and warm along with your family. You welcomed all of us and many others no matter of circumstance. Not only did you comfort us, but you kept us disciplined and prepared. For this we are grateful.
Rest well Garnie! You have left your mark.
Ken and Sandra Fruck
We are so sorry to read about the passing of Garnie. Was a good neighbor at
Lee River. Have good memories about Garnie. Sympathy to you Jo-Ann and family.
Garnie….such a big personality! So many memories and stories. It seems Garnie has always been a part of our lives whether it was snowmobiling on the Lee ( I remember Jeff and Mike bombing around on the kitty cat snowmobile- Jeff might have been 5!) or the late night pontoon boat rides my parents would take with Garnie and Joanne along with other neighbours… we could hear their laughter from the lake in the very wee hours of the morning! Often I would come across dad and Garnie in the Sugar Shack discussing life over a tipple, and being welcomed into the conversation with “Oh,oh… here comes trouble!” His sense of humour was second to none and our family always enjoyed seeing Garnie (especially dad)as you never knew what was going to happen next! If anyone on the block needed help, Garnie was there to lend a hand, give advice ….always generous with his time. Dad and Garnie were partners on many projects and dreamers on others. They missed their “big break” when they passed on the “poop truck” business.
This is who Garnie was. Living life to the fullest and making friends of everyone who had the pleasure to meet and know him along the way.
Joanne, Carrie, Marla, Jeff and families, our sincerest condolences as we think of you during this difficult time. The angels are getting a good one.
The Adler Family