It is with sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Chris McGarrigle. He was born in a small fishing town of Blacks Harbour some 48 years ago to Mary and Elmer Bustard. Over the years the family lived in several cities and towns in New Brunswick from Blacks Harbour, Doaktown and Fredricton. Chris grew up with his two brothers Raymond and Kirk. He loved playing practical jokes on the two of them. Chris came from a large family with his parents having multiple siblings, it left him with numerous relations (too many to count). He graduated high school from Fredericton high amongst thousands of others. He went on to study agriculture at Woodstock college with big dreams ahead. He was a thinker, his mind always racing which left him looking for something new and interesting all the time. This led him to have a wide range of jobs from doing the retorts at the Brunswick sardine factory(multiple family members worked in the same factory) to different night clubs in New Brunswick as a fun promoter, a dealer at a casino to a finishing carpenter. Chris was a charmer, people were drawn to him and his welcoming smile, a wheeler and a dealer. Chris was extremely close to his grandparents on his mothers side Lorne and Donaldine McGarrigle even moving in with them in his senior year of high school. Chris and a couple of friends in his later years got the itch and idea to try a new adventure by moving out west. They moved to the opposite side of the country, settling in downtown Vancouver in one of the roughest areas, renting a room at the old American hotel. He would tell stories of buying and or trading cheese and other hot commodities in the bar. One of Chris’s prized possessions from that time that he still has, was a marble book end with a brass monkey ornament. Honestly there is no decor that this item would fit in with. He said it was multi-purposed as it could also be used as a weapon if needed. Chris moved from downtown into a bit more of the suburbs living in Coquitlam then to south Surrey. He made friends easily in BC and joined a slow pitch league out of the Green Timbers pub. This is where he met Kelly telling his friend I’m going to be with that girl and it went from there. Their relationship progressed really quickly due to unforeseen circumstances of a slow pitch facial injury then a condo fire forcing them to move in together quickly. They lived from Chilliwack to Pitt Meadows to South Surrey to Cloverdale then ending again in South Surrey. Chris and Kelly have two strong willed, stubborn kids Abrielle and Dryden. He was so excited to become a dad and didn’t shy away from responsibilities when it came to the kids from feeding and changing them. Going so far one time, thinking Abby was having a hard time breathing due to a cold, that he placed his mouth over her nose and sucked. True dad thing to do. As the kids grew, he became involved in coaching their sports teams always having a passion for the game of softball and baseball. He was always proud of their accomplishments in sports, academics, pretty much everything they did. Chris loved to fish and on many occasions you could catch him and Dryden at night after a rain storm with their flashlights out on the lawn trying to catch night crawlers for the next fishing adventure. We can only imagine what the neighbours thought. Chris and Dryden shared a common love for the Montréal Canadiens as per Drydens namesake. They could be caught watching a game together with their jerseys on. Even up til the end this year they were still hoping for A Canadiens win even placing some bets. Chris loved to shop, which he seems to have inherited from his mom Mary. He enjoyed a day of thrifting and revelled in the deals that he found, this was evident in the mass quantity of clothes in his possession and the numerous tools and oddities. Chris loved food, not necessarily cooking it, but definitely eating it. He was a hotdog connoisseur. Always trying a hotdog no matter where he went. He always said IKEA‘s were the best, probably because you got two and a drink for $1.50 appealing to his frugal side. Chris loved animals of all kinds, from his bird smoky, an African gray parrot to his multiple cats and several dogs and they loved him. He was a night owl, a trait continued on by his two kids. Chris was that kinda guy that was always willing to help, always doing for others. Helping out the little guy and standing up for what wasn’t right. He enjoyed discussing politics and lived for CNN. When the Trump administration came in, he was glued to that channel and would constantly update others, no matter if they wanted to know or not. Chris is predeceased by his father Elmer, and grandparents on both sides. He is survived by his two children Abrielle and Dryden their mom Kelly, brothers Ray and Kirk, mother Mary, and numerous family members and friends. We take solace in the fact that he is now at peace and finally able to get a good nights rest.
A private service will be held on Wednesday, September 9. There will be viewings the same day for one hour each between 10 to 11, and 11 to 12. Due to Covid, the number of people able to attend is limited. Please contact Kelly prior to attendance at the viewings.”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Chris McGarrigle August 27th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique