“I close my eyes, then I drift away, into the magic night. I softly say a silent prayer like dreamers do. Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you.” On Sunday February 23rd, 2020, Gary Denny passed away peacefully at Finlandia Village in Sudbury ON at the age of 80 years after a brief illness. Gary was born December 25th, 1939 in Sudbury to Mary and Emile Denny. Gary was an avid and enthusiastic outdoorsman and enjoyed both hunting and fishing on the many lakes and forests of Northern Ontario. He would always return home with stories of his trips and look at it as an opportunity to educate his sons about wildlife, habitats and waterfowl. Gary was a long-time member of Ducks Unlimited. Gary was very active in his community throughout the years as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion and had a deep respect for veterans. Gary’s interest in the military began when he became an air cadet in Sudbury’s 200 Wolf Squadron in the 1950’s where he became a flight sergeant before entering into the armed forces in the SAPRES before returning to Sudbury. Gary worked as a printer in the press room with the Sudbury Star, St. Catharines Standard, and Oakville Beaver before retiring to Vancouver Island with his wife Brenda. In retirement Gary kept himself busy with his many hobbies. Gary was a military researcher and self-taught historian. He was always interested in each of the hundreds of individual soldiers and officers he researched and was never satisfied until he was able to uncover their personal stories so that they would be remembered. In retirement, he was active as a troop leader with the Courtnay/Comox chapter of the Boy Scouts of Canada. Gary was very interested in contributing to the character and intellectual development of younger generations and took pride in being a mentor to the scouts in his troop. Gary and Brenda enjoyed island life and kept busy line dancing and taking weekly excursions to dog shows where Brenda competed with their Springer Spaniels (Ruff, Sadie, Rebel and Lady) over the years until her passing. Gary then returned to Sudbury where he continued to remain active with his hobbies. It was a frequent sight to see him walking his dogs in the community he lived and dropping in to visit with friends to discuss current events. The last several years had been challenging for Gary after he had a massive stroke and eventually couldn’t participate in the activities and social interactions that brought him joy and contentment. Through it all he persevered and let people know he was still present, and we celebrated those moments with him. Gary is predeceased by his parents Mary Tyler and Emile Denny, brother Wayne and wife Brenda. He is survived by and will be forever remembered by his sons Kurt (Tim) of Toronto and Wayne (Karen) of Sudbury. He will be fondly remembered by his sister Barbara Denny of Estaire and cousin Joe (Linda) Brosseau of Burlington. He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren Teresa, Brooke, Zoe, and Breckin along with his nephews and nieces. A special thank you to the staff at Finlandia Village who treated dad with care and compassion and to our mother Patricia Denny-Fyn who went above and beyond over the past few years advocating and frequently visiting dad when we were unable to. According to Gary’s wishes, cremation has already taken place and a service and interment at Sudbury Civic Cemetery will be held followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon on Saturday, June 6, 2020. Memorial donations in Gary’s memory can be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.
I feel so bad today reading the Northern Life and finding out that Gary passed away. I have been searching for Gary and some of the guys left from my days in the composing room at The Sudbury Star. Was out on more than a few hunting and fishing trips with Gary and the guys from the Star. We got into coins at first those big pennies and then later the hunting and fishing. And of course so many good times together at the Star. We did not get paid much but we had a lot of fun and always said we were like a big family. I am about a mile from Finlandia and it breaks my heart to not know Gary was there. I remember Gary’s two boys Kurt and Wayne and if I remember correctly you guys lived around Riverside Dr. area at the time. And Gary with those little cigarillos when he got off the cigarettes. I offer my most sincere condolences to Gary’s family as can tell you as a young apprentice you had a dad that was like a father or maybe a big brother to me growing up. Words can not express how I feel right now knowing Gary was less than a mile from where I live and how many times have I gone to Finlandia over the last 4 or 5 years and never knew Gary was there. In time you will remember the fun times as that is what your dad would want you to remember.
March 18, 2020
On behalf of my father Bob Livingstone (Deceased) I would like to offer our sincerest condolences. My father Bob, worked with Gary for many years at the Sudbury Star and the St. Catherine paper. They were great friends, spent many fun times together hunting and fishing. My father talked very fondly of Gary and managed to reconnect with Gary near the end of his life. I believe my father loved Gary very much like a brother.
March 18, 2020