GARY NELSON WHITE

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GARY NELSON WHITE April 24, 1933 - April 30, 2004 Suddenly, on April 30, 2004, Gary died accidentally while rowing on the Winnipeg River near Silver Falls. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Ruth White, and by his first wife, Mabel, to whom he was married for 29 years. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of Lac du Bonnet; by his daughters, Dorothy White, of Winnipeg, and Bev Kelly and her husband, Marc, of Sydney, Australia; by his five grandchildren, Carene Robert and her husband, Stan; Sean and Daniel White; and Shannon and Rhys Kelly; by his great-granddaughters, Breanna and Haley Robert; by his special friend, Corrie Halparin; by two brothers, Lloyd and his wife, Joyce; and Ralph and his wife, Yalonde; and by his mentor, coach and lifelong friend, 93 year old Theo Dubois, of the Winnipeg Rowing Club, who was one of Canadas greatest oarsmen. Gary is also survived by many special people whom he met during the 28 years he spent working at Stony Mountain Penitentiary, first as a corrections officer, and then as an instructor, before retiring in 1991. These special people include Dave and Marianne Bueckert, Vic and Marion Porteous, and Rick Petrowski. He is also survived by many rowing friends in both Canada and the United States, whose friendship, support and kindness over many years contributed immeasurably to his life. Gary spent decades rowing for the Winnipeg Rowing Club. At various times, he also belonged to some of the other clubs in the 100 year old North West International Rowing Association - Prairie Fire, Pinawa, Kenora and Duluth. As part of the international rowing family, he participated in many regattas and head races, both large and small, and always enjoyed the camaraderie, challenge and uniqueness of each event. Although rowing was Garys first love, he was also an accomplished cross-country skier, and sometimes participated in the 50 km Pepsi Challenge Race at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minnesota, and in the 50km Finlandia at Bemidji, Minnesota. Gary was a proponent of lifelong learning. In 1983, at the age of fifty he received his Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Manitoba. After that he took more university courses, including one on Adult Education at the University of British Columbia. He was interested in every aspect of physical education and physical fitness, and got his Level 3 Coaching Certificate. His favourite coaching assignment was that of sharing his coaching and rowing skills with the Masters Women. Gary asked that no formal memorial service be held. If you would like to, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. At a later date, memorial trophies are going to be presented for events in some of Garys favourite regattas.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 29, 2004