Gary Corlett, beloved husband of 65 years, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend passed away unexpectedly on January 3, 2021 in his 88th year. He is survived by his wife Eleanor (Cook) Corlett and children Bryan (Heather Patterson), Diane (Steve Noonan), Geoff (Jori Pederson), and Peter (Kim) , and his sister Linda Skoropad. He was a wonderful grandfather to Jacqueline, Jonathan, Amy, Katrina, Katie, Lauri, Jackson, Tanner, Oliver, and Luke. He is predeceased by his brother Wayne, brother-in-laws Doug Cook, Robert Cook, Mervyn Hopkinson, Ray Skoropad, sister-in-laws Pat Cook and Norma (Cook) Hopkinson, and daughter-in-law Janice Smith.
Born in Leamington, Ontario to Edith (Hilton) and Earnest Corlett, he was a self-effacing, lean, young man. He worked hard in the tomato fields and dry goods stores, learning how to earn a dollar.
His fraternity brothers at Western knew him as Crusher and introduced him to the exquisite Elly. She was the love of his life.
Gary completed his Chartered Accountant accreditation at Clarks and Gordon and became quite adept at reading numbers upside down, a useful life skill, especially for an auditor. He continued on Bay Street for the next 30 years at Noranda Mines. He was a deeply intelligent man with a gift for writing and communicating. He retired in 1992 as VP of Finance.
Bay Street may have had his attention during the week, but it was the hills of Mulmur that truly captivated him. From 1970 onwards, come hell or high water, he, Elly, 4 kids, 1 cat, 1 dog, 1 feral rabbit named Snowy, and the weekend provisions would all pile into the 69 Ford station wagon and decamp from North Toronto for the farm.
He had many passions. He was a car guy with stories to tell mostly from touring with lifelong friends that made up the Wellesley Wanderers. Music runs in the family and true to his heritage he and his brother Wayne started The Six Teens, a dance band that played to hundreds on the weekends at the Seacliff Park pavilion. He passed along his love of music, making sure all his kids played. There were family Dixieland combos. Then he did it again with his grandkids. He led a saxophone trio featured by the RCM that included 3 generations of Corletts. He satisfied his architectural ambitions designing houses and additions for family. He loved to paint, particularly in the company of his granddaughters. He built community serving on the Dufferin Arts Council and Mono Mulmur ratepayers’ association and Committee of Adjustment. He supported Orangeville Theatre, was a member of Probus, Mulmur Tennis Club…the list goes on and on.
He never hesitated to jump in and lend a hand because that is how he loved. He has left us a rich legacy of living and loving life which we will try to honour as best we can.
A Zoom memorial for family has been held. When circumstances allow, there will be an in person Celebration of Life open to all who knew him.
If desired, donations to the Shelburne Library would be welcome.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gary Corlett Sunday January 3rd 2021..
Death notice for the town of: SHELBURNE, Province: Ontario