Browse the obituary of residing in the province of province1} for funeral details
Obituary of Garry Wheeler
Please share a memory of Garry to include in a keepsake book for family and friends.
View Tribute Book
Garry was born to Janet and William Wheeler in Frenchman’s Cove, Bay-of-Islands, Newfoundland, on a beautiful summer day on August 21st, 1943. A rambunctious Garry Wheeler was the 12th of 13 children. As a young adult, Garry moved to Baie Verte in the early 1960s working Lundrigan’s’ Construction. Shortly thereafter, he met Helen Downey; They courted, fell in love, and were married on June 19th, 1965. They were blessed with their first child, their daughter Cathy, on April 2nd, 1966, and on May 28th, 1971, their second child was born; their son David. Garry went to work at Advocate Mines as a Heavy Equipment Operator in 1966 where he remained until the mine closure in 1990.
Music was a very large part of Garry’s life as he spent many years playing various musical instruments with family and friends. There are many wonderful memories of music and laughter during family gatherings and holidays. Garry also played in various bands across the island for many years (Sweet Seasons, Neon and Zap).
In 1991, after the mine closure, Garry, along with his wife Helen, sought work in Fort McMurray, AB, where he went to work with Fording Coal LTD as a shovel operator. He continued to work in Fort McMurray until 2007, when he retired and they moved to a small acreage in Westlock, AB. Garry spent countless hours in his garage woodworking and in the yard, planting trees or gardening with Helen. His love for musical entertainment never wavered as he continued to sing and play for family and friends alike. Garry was certainly a social butterfly and was truly loved by all. Of all the things that Garry was most proud of in his life, were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; even leading up to the last days of his battle, Garry would still spend countless hours playing on the floor with his great-grandchildren.
On August 21st, 2021, Garry’s birthday, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and only given a short amount of time to get his affairs in order; but, in typical Garry fashion, he fought a long battle for just over 2 years, never complaining and always staying positive. Finally, on August 26th, 2023, just five short days after his 80th birthday, Garry decided that it was his time to go and to be reunited with his loving wife, Helen.
Garry is survived by his children: Cathy and David (Tammy); his grandchildren: Alysia, Sarah, Hannah, Evan, and Alex; his great-grandchildren: Emma, Jackson, and Charlie; his brother, William, and his sisters: Joan and Irene.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Helen; his parents: Janet and William Wheeler and his siblings: Roland, Harold, Calvin, Sylvia, Alice, Ena, Henrietta, and Inez.
“Dad, you may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.”
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in Garry’s name.
2023
ROBERT ANDERSON FUNERAL SERVICES
Death notice for the town of: Fort McMurray, Province: Alberta
death notice Garry
Wheeler 2023
obituaries notice Garry
Wheeler 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Garry
Wheeler 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.