GARRY GRANT ENNS

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GARRY GRANT ENNS

January 21, 1946 - January 19, 2024

It is with tremendous sadness that we mourn the passing of Garry, our beloved partner, sibling, uncle, and friend, remembered for his devotion to his canine companions, raucous laughter, love of great food and drink, adventurous spirit, and his hospitality. Garry possessed intelligence, wit, and an impressive memory, which all served him well as our most entertaining storyteller. He was devoted and generous to family and friends. He could engage almost anyone and all would leave glad to have shared his company. Oh yeah, and he was one helluva cook!



Garry was born at home in Wymark, Saskatchewan, the eighth of ten children to Frank and Katherine Enns. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings Johnny, Eva, Betty Lou, Sandra, and Randy. He is survived by siblings Lenn (Irene), Eileen, Deanna and Clara, and numerous nieces and nephews. In 1949 the family relocated to Steinbach, Manitoba. After high school, Garry attended Red River College and University in Winnipeg, Manitoba.



Garry came of age in the 1960s. He would say anachronistic things like “right on!” to express approval and his taste in music and his “live and let live” attitude also reflected that era. Adventures and misadventures took him throughout Canada and the United States via planes, trains, and Cadillacs, as well as hitchhiking, trusting the generosity of unknown motorists to carry him further on his unsure destination. Along the way, he earned his keep working farms in California, doing God knows what in Florida and the Caribbean, and untold other tasks betwixt and between. There was also a two-year tenure in Holland where he drove bus and learned to speak Dutch while his partner, Liz, pursued her music career. Upon their return to Winnipeg, Garry took a job with MTS Mobility, marketing and selling those early cell phones, following which he started his own landscaping and snow removal businesses. His next move took him to Kaleden, BC, where he wrote a regular column and sold advertising for a local paper and tended a massive garden, which even included a mini vineyard at one point. He developed into an impressive cyclist, regularly riding the region’s mountainous and challenging terrain.



On October 10, 2003, Garry met Marija, who would be his beloved partner until the end. They moved to Penticton and enjoyed travels to Croatia, Italy, Costa Rica, Alaska, Boston, Spain, and Japan, as well as frequent trips to BC’s West Coast and Vancouver Island to enjoy the company of friends and family.



After a four-year battle with cancer, Garry was suddenly taken from us – we all thought that we had at least a few more months with him. We will all miss him to pieces. The family is profoundly grateful to Marija for her unwavering devotion and care of Garry in the very difficult final years of his life. He often expressed how fortunate he was to have such a loving, compassionate, and steadfast partner. He knew better than all of us how lucky he was.

We raise the first of many a glass to him – Cheers, Garry!



The family would like to thank Dr. Tyler Murphy for his care, and also the kind, thoughtful, and caring Community Palliative Care staff. You made a world of difference.



For those wishing, in memory of Garry Enns please donate to Doctors Without Borders or SPCA.



A memorial service or celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Tributes Link: www.everdenrust.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 09, 2024, Feb 09, 2024