Gary Flanagan

1941 ~ 2015

“It’s so much darker when a light goes out than it would have been if it had never shone.”–John Steinbeck.

We are devastated to report that Gary painfully succumbed to cancer at 8:41 am on August 5, 2015 at the Pine Falls General Hospital.

Gary is survived by his wife Dorothy (aka Bunny), son Ken, daughters Linda (Randy Bryksa) and Cindy (Cameron Randall). It was most difficult for Gary to leave behind his seven grandchildren: Cassandra (Jordan Buhr) & Garrett Flanagan; Calen and Carley Randall; and Zachary, Jessica & Bailey Bryksa. He also leaves behind his brothers Brian and Kevin Flanagan, as well as a wonderful ‘in-law’ family. Gary was predeceased by his brother Jimmy, his sister Pat, his parents, and his much-loved dogs Hunter and Bear.

Gary was born in Windsor, ON on January 5, 1941 to Margaret & Floyd (Pete) Flanagan, and grew up in Comber and Windsor. Always enterprising and independent, he left home at age 14 for Vancouver. He was drawn to Manitoba where he launched a lifetime of work (37.5 years) with Manitoba Hydro working on the Winnipeg River Generating System with most of his time at Great Falls. It wasn’t the work that kept him in Manitoba–it was a Prairie Girl named Dorothy whom he married and loved for 55 years.

A true perfectionist, anything Gary worked on was with 100% effort and it was always 110% adventure. He was in the RCAF, welded on piggy-back cars for the railway, and, with Manitoba Hydro, worked as a Floorman, Operator, Engineering Tech and as a Planner. Gary was dedicated to IBEW 2034 and served on the Executive and Grievance committees, the Superannuation board and numerous negotiating committees. He worked with many great people.

Living in Great Falls, he served on the executive in every club and also served as a 4-H leader. He enjoyed playing many of the sports that he loved and excelled at — water skiing, curling, golf, baseball, hockey, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting. Gary was always keen to get together with family and friends for games and cards. When Dorothy and Gary retired they wintered in Florida enjoying a family of friends there. A die hard sports fan, it was rare he missed a Jets or Bombers game, and he left no sports page unturned.

A priority for Gary was to spend time with his family. When not with local family, Gary and Dorothy would drive out to Seattle and Calgary—even through Christmas blizzards—to play with and love his grandkids. He sampled many cups of tea, played many games of fish, battled in many games of shinny, listened and danced to many squeaking instruments, read numerous bed-time stories and most importantly, had wonderful relationships with all of his kids and grandkids.

Thank you to the many bright lights who have helped Gary and his family.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 1:00 pm at the Great Falls Hall.

In lieu of flowers, should you wish, please donate to your favorite charity, and please donate blood!

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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