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GARY EUGENE DENNIS FILYK
Born: May 31, 1934
Date of Passing: Mar 13, 2022
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GARY EUGENE DENNIS FILYK
Born May 31, 1934 in Estonia, Saskatchewan; died peacefully on March 13, 2022 in Mesa, Arizona. Gary lived a long life full of adventure and discovery.
Gary grew up on the family farm north of Glidden, Saskatchewan with sisters, Beverley and Marilyn. He attended the University of Saskatchewan, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree, and the University of Manitoba, receiving a Bachelor of Architecture in 1961. While there, he served as Senior Stick (1960 to 1961).
Gary married Marjorie Kidd in 1958, and together they had three sons, Gregor, Blair and Drew. The family grew up in Winnipeg and Toronto, with a life filled with sports, extended family gatherings, home renovations and travel, with endless road trips and adventures throughout Canada, the United States, Mexico and Europe.
Gary worked as executive architect for the T. Eaton Department Store in Toronto and Winnipeg, and The Bay throughout Canada and its Northern Stores division. He ended his working career in Ottawa as Director of Architecture and Engineering for the Loeb supermarket chain.
Following Marjorie's death in 1992, Gary retired from active work, but moved into a new phase in his life, dividing his time between his homes in Ottawa and Kelowna, his cottage at West Hawk Lake in Manitoba, and his executive volunteer work with the Canadian Executive Services Organization in Russia, Panama and other developing countries.
Elaine and Gary met on a blind date in March 1998 and married December 23, 2008. Through their mutual passion for art and architecture they saw the world through the same lens. Elaine and Gary travelled the world in Gary's unique style. They had trips full of unforgettable experiences, interesting people, and amazing culinary delights. "If you never get lost you never see anything" was Gary's mantra of travel and life.
Gary lived his life in renovation mode, whether it was houses, an Eaton's delivery van, his cottage, or retirement home in Arizona. He was always "nibbling away" at a project. His last project was crafting the "Golden Ball Award" for his son's golf tournament in Phoenix. Gregor, Blair and Drew are thankful they had the opportunity last November to gather with their father one last time, along with their spouses, Mary Anne, Angelina and Patty, and Gary's granddaughter Heather.
Gary was fortunate enough to be part of special communities and friendships in Winnipeg, West Hawk Lake, Mesa, Arizona as well as the people he met from all over the world that became part of his circle of friends. That he cherished with all his heart.
Gary was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Anne and his wife Marjorie.
Left to celebrate a life well lived are sisters, Beverley (Jim) and Marilyn (Ray), sons: Gregor (Mary Anne, Colin [Melissa, Garrett, Avery], Alyson [Liz, Ryker, Luke], Laura [Julien] and Heather [Harlin]); Blair (Angelina, Maddy, Nicole [Chris, Charlotte and Lyla], Ellen and Megan [Alex], Colin and Kevin); Drew (Patty, Regan [Staci and Hunter], Rory and Ryan); wife Elaine (Christine [Brian], Lorraine [John], Heather [Adam], grandchildren: Hannah, Maksym, Mathew, Brendan, Ryan, and Ayva), and beloved dog Rusty.
The family will gather and celebrate Gary's life at his beloved cottage at McDougald's landing, West Hawk Lake during the summer.
Donations in his memory can be made to: Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation or Assiniboine Park Conservancy.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2022
Condolences & Memories (1 entries)
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Gregor, Blair and Drew - On behalf of my family, I send our condolences. I remember Gary being one of the quiet ones in the Kidd clan! So many accomplishments and adventures to his credit. A life well lived! We will make a memorial donation to Assiniboine Park Conservancy. - Posted by: Deborah Dayle Nordal (Cousin ) on: Apr 25, 2022