Obituary for Gary Forrest Christie
Obituary of Gary Forrest Christie
It is with deep sadness that we announce Gary Christie passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on January 4, 2022 following a short but hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gary was the son of the late Forrest and Dorothy Christie (nee Mallory), husband to his beloved wife of 47 years, Sue (nee Bailey), and proud father of Cari (Jason), Billy (Heather), and Jessie (Keith). He also earned the title “world’s best papa” to grandchildren, Jordan and Oliver Pickard, and Jackson Clarke. Predeceased by his sister Jo Anne, Gary was a favourite uncle to Jodi and Katie Heaphy, and will be dearly missed by a large group of extended family and close friends, including his best friend of 55 years, Dave McFadden.
Well known and highly regarded within the community, you would be hard-pressed to go anywhere with Gary without having to stop for at least a few conversations with friends. You’d also have to search the globe to find anyone who loved driving more than Gary. He spent decades working in the sales industry, and you can still spot a few vehicles with Christie Chrysler stickers on the bumper today. You could also always count on Gary for his innate ability to find the best hidden gems for a bite to eat in any city or town across the country.
A lifelong athlete, Gary played, coached, and spectated everything from hockey and baseball to curling, equestrian, and golf. He was inducted into the North Grenville Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 as part of the 1966 Kemptville Midget Fastball All Ontario Champions team. He also spent time as part of the coaching team for the Kemptville 73’s. While his official title was Assistant Coach, he was generally referred to as the “Social Director.” Gary loved supporting friends and family members in their chosen sports too, and could always be found cheering from behind the net in the rink, or ringside at a horse show.
Gary was a big supporter of all health care workers, and would understand that now is not the time to gather. A Celebration of Life will be announced and held at a later date when COVID doesn’t prevent getting together to share stories and drink or two in memory of the man, the myth, the legend - Gary Christie. Donations can be made in Gary’s honour to the Memorial Family Classic fund.
The Christie family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the health care team that supported Gary over these last few months, including Dr. Burns of the Rideau Palliative Group, and Melody and Georgie of the Bayshore HealthCare nursing team.
It is with deep sadness that we announce Gary Christie passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on January 4, 2022 following a short but hard-fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gary was the son of the late Forrest and Dorothy Christie (nee Mallory), husband to his beloved wife of 47 years, Sue (nee Bailey), and proud father of Cari (Jason), Billy (Heather), and Jessie (Keith). He also earned the title “world’s best papa” to grandchildren, Jordan and Oliver Pickard, and Jackson Clarke. Predeceased by his sister Jo Anne, Gary was a favourite uncle to Jodi and Katie Heaphy, and will be dearly missed by a large group of extended family and close friends, including his best friend of 55 years, Dave McFadden.
Well known and highly regarded within the community, you would be hard-pressed to go anywhere with Gary without having to stop for at least a few conversations with friends. You’d also have to search the globe to find anyone who loved driving more than Gary. He spent decades working in the sales industry, and you can still spot a few vehicles with Christie Chrysler stickers on the bumper today. You could also always count on Gary for his innate ability to find the best hidden gems for a bite to eat in any city or town across the country.
A lifelong athlete, Gary played, coached, and spectated everything from hockey and baseball to curling, equestrian, and golf. He was inducted into the North Grenville Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 as part of the 1966 Kemptville Midget Fastball All Ontario Champions team. He also spent time as part of the coaching team for the Kemptville 73’s. While his official title was Assistant Coach, he was generally referred to as the “Social Director.” Gary loved supporting friends and family members in their chosen sports too, and could always be found cheering from behind the net in the rink, or ringside at a horse show.
Gary was a big supporter of all health care workers, and would understand that now is not the time to gather. A Celebration of Life will be announced and held at a later date when COVID doesn’t prevent getting together to share stories and drink or two in memory of the man, the myth, the legend - Gary Christie. Donations can be made in Gary’s honour to the Memorial Family Classic fund.
The Christie family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the health care team that supported Gary over these last few months, including Dr. Burns of the Rideau Palliative Group, and Melody and Georgie of the Bayshore HealthCare nursing team.