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Obituary of Gary Franklin Lawrence
November 1, 1944 – Edmonton, Alberta
November 29, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta
Gary Lawrence, beloved husband of Victoria Lawrence (nee Johnson), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the age of 80 years, with his family by his side.
Gary was born November 1, 1944, in Partridge Hill, AB, to Ralph and Helen Lawrence. Raised on a farm and being the oldest of seven children, Gary was no stranger to the hard work that came with daily chores, caring for animals, and harvesting crops. As with most young men his age in the 1950s and 60s, he loved cars and would often be found tinkering with the engines in his teenage years. Gary considered buying his own farm, but life had a different direction for him.
Gary first met his wife, Victoria, through a blind date arranged by mutual friends. Thus began a three-year courtship, filled with stock car races, country music, and evenings at the drive-in. On a bitterly cold day in February 1968, Gary and Vicky were married, embarking on a life together that would span more than five decades.
Soon after they were married, Gary made a pivotal decision to return to school. He began attending the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), where he discovered a passion for geology. He graduated from the Geological Technology program, propelling through a career and passion spanning decades, and mapped a life of adventure across the globe through mines in remote and rugged locations across Alberta, British Columbia, the United States and even India. Gary settled his family, which now included two boys, in Calgary when he went to work for Elco, a German mining company.
When the recession hit in the early 1980s, Elco folded its operations in Canada, and Gary struck out on his own as an independent consultant. Gary was always willing to adapt to new circumstances, whether it was in his career or in teaching himself how to use computers or new mapping software.
Gary was a handyman who put an enormous amount of ‘sweat equity’ into his Silver Springs home, where they lived for 47 years. He often used his skills to help others, doing many basement and bathroom renovations over the years for his family and friends. Family ties were important to Gary. He spent years connecting with cousins to collect family history facts and stories. Through his research, he was able to reconnect with his family in Ontario and Sweden. He was fiercely connected to his family story.
Gary will be lovingly remembered for his sense of humour, love for his family, lifelong friends, rocks, mapping, and the great outdoors.
He has left a legacy for his sons, Jason (Francoise) and Shane (Shannon), his eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and extended family and friends to remember.
Gary, your homey expressions, wisdom, knowledge, and presence were deeply loved and will be missed.
The family would like to thank Dr. Matthew Sadler, Nurse practitioner, Allison Reilly at the Foothills Medical Centre, the home palliative care team, and Dr. Louw, nurses, and staff at Dulcina Hospice for their exceptional care and support for Gary.
A Celebration of Gary's Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Covenant Care Foundation - Dulcina Hospice (110 Evanspark Mnr, Calgary, AB T3P 0G7) with Fund Designation to 03 – Facility: St. Marguerite Manor – Dulcina Hospice – Calgary, at www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/80977.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Gary’s family here.
In living memory of Gary Lawrence, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.
