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GARTH JACOB PHILIP DECH
Born: Sep 09, 1955
Date of Passing: Jan 25, 2021
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GARTH JACOB PHILIP DECH
September 9, 1955 - January 25, 2021
Garth was born in Wolseley, Saskatchewan on September 9, 1955, and grew up and went to school in Grenfell, SK. He loved hanging with the guys, Clayton, Dave, Gerard, Karl and John; working on cars, enjoying beers and doing as small-town boys do, they party and race cars on the back dirt roads. He had a job young in life and this gave him the means to buy a boat which meant parties at Crooked Lake in Saskatchewan's Qu'Appelle Valley where his parents built a small cabin out of wood from the old Grenfell School, offering the perfect place for the boys to enjoy water-skiing, fishing and all life had to offer.
In 2004 Garth met and fell in love with Jackie Mulligan, a small-town girl born in Grandview, Manitoba. On their first date Garth showed up to get his future bride in his cowboy boots and sterling belt buckle; Jackie fell head over heels with this dashing country boy. Within a year and madly in love, they were married in Winnipeg, MB on September 10, 2005. They spent the next 16 years of marriage still holding hands and Garth opening doors, as he was always a gentleman in every way. He once told Jackie that his mother made sure he knew how to treat a lady and she was an excellent teacher.
Garth's favourite place to be was Beauty Bay, in Ontario on Black Sturgeon Lake, where he had a small cabin. He enjoyed many summers there with family and friends; from pulling his stepson Daniel water-skiing to organizing the fall wind-up, Garth was the go-to guy for everyone. He had a gentle soul and was loved by all, no one was a stranger, just a friend he hadn't met yet and his infectious laugh and beaming smile would light up the room. His love for Beauty Bay never ended. His final years were spent at Mark and Debbie's cottage reading books, fishing with Neil and visiting with his many Beauty Bay friends where many stories and laughs were shared.
Garth's hydraulics career started at HyPower Hydraulics. There were a few jobs on the way to Midwest Hydraulics now known as "Wainbee", which is where he continued to work going on nearly 30 years until his passing. Garth was very well known in the industry for his knowledge and for being an all-around great guy. He will be missed by the many long-term clients he had and the friends he made along the way.
Garth had his share of health issues and over the last year he overcame those by sheer strength and determination, but it became more than he could handle and on Monday evening, January 25, 2021, Garth passed suddenly while at home in the arms of his wife Jackie. Garth you will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know a truly gentle-man.
I LOVE YOU SWEETHEART AND
WILL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS.
"Mark, anytime I needed help with anything, all I had to do was call. No matter what you had to do after work you came to my rescue. With my health problems this past year, you gave me a retreat to relax and soak up the sun. You know my brother I love you and thanks for all your help."
"To the best man at my Wedding Tony Boken, we have shared so many wonderful memories, I am so blessed to have had your friendship all these years."
"To Jim, Oh Man... thanks for all the great years of friendship and for making me look good when you did all the Carpentry work in our house."
In accordance with Garth's wishes cremation has taken place and a private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, if desired, charitable donations in memory of Garth Dech can be made to D'Arcy's A.R.C., 730 Century St. B., Winnipeg, MB R3H 0M1. Phone 204-888-2266. Our precious 'Sunny Bear' came from there.
Garth's family kindly requests that his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by signing the guestbook at Neil Bardal to please share a memory at www.neilbardalinc.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 30, 2021
Condolences & Memories (6 entries)
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I had the pleasure of working with Garth during our "fluid power" careers. We shared many joys and tribulations along with many disappointing and stressful times. We both knew that it wasn't a job but it was an adventure that spanned what would seem to b...a life time. I know that Garth was a trooper and like many of us in the trade...were too stupid the stay there and lay there. We had the uncanny ability to get up, shake it all off and soldier on. I guess it was his time. We lost touch over the recent years but I was sad to hear that he has passed on. We extend our sincerest condolences and sympathy to Jackie (His Much Better Half), his family and friends. Simply put; Garth was a good soul. I know he will be sincerely missed by the ones he left behind. With our respect and sincerity...Rudy & Bernice Kitsch - Posted by: Rudy Kitsch (Friend) on: Feb 09, 2021
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We were very saddened to hear of Garth’s departure. He is remembered fondly by our family was especially kind to our Mother. Like others have mentioned, he was always willing to help. We remember him driving out days in a row to help assemble my barn and corral in the cold of late fall. My daughter remembers that he came to her rescue to change her flat tire in the dark when she lived alone in the city. He was a wonderful man and sadly missed by our family. - Posted by: Robin and Susan Carter (Friend/Daniel’s Uncle and Aunt) on: Feb 07, 2021
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After a week, I still find it difficult to write through the tears for my dear friend Garth. Garth and I were unlikely friends, of 45 years. He a bit of a redneck Saskatchewan Rough Riders fan, and me a bit of a hippy Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan, however Garth put it best a few years back on our "boy's week" fishing that we tolerated one another's idiosyncrasies - he had to tolerate more. There are numerous anecdotes and stories that come to mind reflecting Garth's kindness, generosity, and loyalty to his friends. A few of them are: The "Gang", were planning their annual one week vacation to Crooked Lake when Garth required an emergency appendectomy the day we were leaving. Garth, of course, insisted before the surgery that we not delay our vacation on his behalf. Late in the afternoon the "Gang" went to visit Garth immediately after his surgery, and in his groggy state, with a raspy voice, insisted we take his car keys. We insisted we did not need them, until Garth, thinking of his friends through his haze and pain reminded us that, his car had the trailer hitch, for his boat, that we would be enjoying with out him. He came down mid week and watched us enjoy his boat. One night after a social Garth and the others would not allow me to go for coffee afterward due to my state of inebriation. They took me home and were escorting me, when I fell backwards off the curb. I heard Garth say " I've got you" so I relaxed. Well Garth being large, and me being skinny, I went through his out-stretched arms to the pavement below. I believe Garth's response was "Oops, I missed". It was the only time he let me down, and I never let him forget it. Garth was there for me, and provided refuge, the night my marriage ended. In the fall of 2019 Garth scoured the area around Winnipeg in search of a boat for me to buy, so we could go fishing in our retirement. He found one, and and did all the prep work in anticipation of us fishing last spring, then Covid came along. Garth was able to enjoy the boat a bit this past year, even though it almost sank on its maiden trip. He caught a fish a well, which makes it even more special. I know that every time I board this boat, Garth will be "On Dech". I miss you, and love you my friend, my "Big Buddy". David Froom Nanaimo BC - Posted by: David Froom (Friend) on: Feb 02, 2021
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We loved Garth from the moment we met him. We thought how fortunate my sister is to have such a gentle soul to hold her love....that would be so worthy of the enormous love she gives. We do valued that Garth was always inclusive and welcoming, that he cared about the people in our lives and asked about them. It would make us smile how he was instantly helpful whenever needed, in fact, he would go beyond the call of family and offer to do more. We always felt at ease in his quiet energy. You will be sorely missed, friend. God speed and safe travels. - Posted by: Kathleen Mulligan and Ninos Agioritis (Sister/brother-in-law ) on: Feb 01, 2021
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Dear Jackie Our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your dear Garth. Working with Garth for over 30 years I got to know him and the kind wonderful man he was. I remember when you two started going out, you made him so happy and have for the last 16 years. Wishing you guys could have enjoyed more time together however you gave him the best time of his life. To Daniel your Dad was so proud of you, as a great hockey player and as a wonderful husband and Dad. Of course you had a great role model! To Mark and Sharon, I always heard wonderful family stories and how proud he was of his nieces and nephews. Garth will be missed greatly by all his Midwest and Wainbee family. Jackie and family, may the support of family and friends help you through this difficult time. Sincerely Colleen and Chan - Posted by: Colleen Boutang (Friend and co-worker) on: Jan 30, 2021
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I have great memories curling with Garth at the Thistle CC back in the day. He was a gentleman and a pleasure to know. I am sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences to his family. - Posted by: Vincent Villanueva (Friend) on: Jan 30, 2021