GARRY ARTHUR LEACH

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GARRY ARTHUR LEACH

Words can never do justice to the profound sorrow and loss those who loved him felt when we said goodbye to Garry for the last time on April 30, 2022. Peacefully at home, surrounded by family, Garry gently slipped away from us at the age of 74.
Born in Winnipeg, Garry was the eldest of four children. He graduated from United College in 1968. While Garry's high school career doesn't rank amongst the most significant of his accomplishments; marrying the love of his life Carol in 1969 was easily his life's crowning achievement. Together, for over half a century they forged their loving companionship into what can only be described from beginning to end as a fairy-tale romance. They found their way through the world together and instilled their beliefs and values in their two children, Michael (Tracy) and Brett (Kris), and their grandson.
In 1971 Garry graduated from the University of Winnipeg. While he considered enrolling in law school or going on to pursue graduate studies, he ended up accepting a job at Mandak Metal Processors in Selkirk, Manitoba. This was the humble beginning of a long and successful business career. Eventually, Manitoba Rolling Mills (Canam Manac) would buy Garry's company Mandak on the condition that he become MRM's President and CEO. At the time he admitted, "I don't know how to make steel, but I can make something you can't ... money". That bold claim would go on to characterize Garry's legacy in the North American manufacturing sector. Under his guidance MRM began manufacturing high quality specialty steel sections and he refocused the organization as a producer of higher value products. This paradigm shift redefined steel manufacturing in Manitoba.
Whether related to work or his other hobbies and passions, Garry was never happy with a simple transaction. He wanted the pleasure of making a deal. Mostly, he always wanted to know the stories of the people on the other end. He needed to build a bond, and he always wanted to make his deals fair for both sides; he took the same approach to selling a steel mill as he did to buying a bicycle. It has even been rumoured that Garry had been known to "overpay" for personal purchases to keep things fair for both parties. Another by-product of his deal making was his coining of nicknames. If you knew Garry and were never given a nickname by him...well, chances are you had one you just didn't know it.
Garry was a fair but fearless leader, who motivated others with his unrivalled creativity, and his strength of convictions regarding right and wrong. He valued his employees and they respected him greatly. He possessed an astute business acumen that his peers in the business community recognized and admired. He sat on a variety of boards including: the Canadian Steel Producers, Manitoba Hydro, Pollard Banknote, and the Premier's Economic Innovation and Technology Council. Garry served as a Regent at the University of Winnipeg, and he was an inductee into the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Hall of fame.
When Garry finally retired in 2005, he and Carol retired to Saltspring Island. Together they settled into what was supposed to be a more relaxing lifestyle. Raising alpacas and other farming duties replaced board meetings and trade missions. After a long and successful career Garry and Carol were finally able to now focus on their hobbies, travel, entertaining, and spending their winters together in Palm Springs. In 2016, cementing their happiness meant Carol and Garry needed to be closer to their only grandchild, so they sold their Saltspring home and moved to Victoria.
Garry lived his life to the fullest, and on his terms, he placed tremendous value on the relationships he'd formed over the years, both personally and professionally, and he was generous to family, friends and community. But perhaps above all else, he will be remembered for how he conducted himself and treated others. To know Garry was to understand that his dedication to his values and principles define his legacy more than any company he worked for or any board or committee he sat on. Garry led with fairness, integrity and doing right by people in everything he did.
He was a Blackberry user. A cross country skier. A cyclist. A runner. A wine and scotch enthusiast. A book club organizer. A storyteller. An art collector. A pain in the ass. A Dashlane hacker, Kind of a golfer. A best friend. A mentor. An older brother. A Dad to Michael and Brett. A husband to Carol for 53 years, and most recently a Gramps to Ellis. His loss is profound, but he lives on in the love we have for one another. It will all be different now, and we will figure it out because he taught us how, but it will never be the same. We love you G.
A Celebration of Life is currently being planned for next summer in Victoria.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Garry's memory to BC Cancer, another charity of your choice, or treat yourself to a fine bottle of wine or a good book.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 09, 2022