In memory of
Garry Campbell Gardiner
May 13, 1932 - August 12, 2026
It is with deep gratitude for a life well-lived that the family of Garry Campbell Gardiner announce his peaceful passing on August 12, 2026. Garry was born May 13, 1932 in London, Ontario to Lawrence Campbell Gardiner and Isabelle Nina Thomson. He met Jean, his wife of over 68 years, at the High Park YMCA where they both were active members of the ski club; they married in 1957.
Garry graduated from the University of Toronto in 1966 and went into teaching, earning his Masters of Education in 1968. For 29 years, he was an elementary school teacher with the Toronto Board of Education. He was a great believer in extra-curricular activities and coached soccer, basketball, volleyball and softball.
Garry and Jean had four children – Susan Gardiner-Marklevitz (Terry), Beverly Lees (Marcel), Peter (Vanda), and Tom (Anne) - and they were blessed with 10 grandchildren (Caitlin and Alex Ellison, Kelsey, Lindsey, Lauren and Liam Lees, Graeme, Madeline and Matthew Gardiner and James Gardiner) and three great grandchildren (Ada and Porter Rakowski and Myla Gardiner.)
Garry and Jean loved to travel and in 1969 moved the family to England on a teaching exchange for a year where they met their life-long friends Penny and Alec Carter and family. Garry was interested in architecture and with Jean’s Masters in Fine Arts, they pursued these interests across Europe.
But Garry’s greatest pride was his family - he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Each summer after he retired, the family met for the “annual family camping weekend” which featured a different Ontario Provincial Park each year. The 26 years of hiking, canoeing, and campfires together are regularly revisited at family gatherings.
Predeceased by his sister, Catherine, Garry was uncle to Colleen, Cameron, Catherine, and Christopher Burns.
The family is very thankful for the excellent care of Dr. Susan Truong and the wonderful staff at Scarborough General Hospital.
Garry believed in volunteerism and found purpose and meaning in his work with Habitat for Humanity GTA. For over 15 years he worked with groups of volunteers to build homes for families in need. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Garry’s name to Habitat for Humanity GTA at https://habitatgta.ca/donate/ would be greatly appreciated.
Cremation has already taken place, as per Garry’s wishes, and a private family memorial will be held in his honour.
Garry graduated from the University of Toronto in 1966 and went into teaching, earning his Masters of Education in 1968. For 29 years, he was an elementary school teacher with the Toronto Board of Education. He was a great believer in extra-curricular activities and coached soccer, basketball, volleyball and softball.
Garry and Jean had four children – Susan Gardiner-Marklevitz (Terry), Beverly Lees (Marcel), Peter (Vanda), and Tom (Anne) - and they were blessed with 10 grandchildren (Caitlin and Alex Ellison, Kelsey, Lindsey, Lauren and Liam Lees, Graeme, Madeline and Matthew Gardiner and James Gardiner) and three great grandchildren (Ada and Porter Rakowski and Myla Gardiner.)
Garry and Jean loved to travel and in 1969 moved the family to England on a teaching exchange for a year where they met their life-long friends Penny and Alec Carter and family. Garry was interested in architecture and with Jean’s Masters in Fine Arts, they pursued these interests across Europe.
But Garry’s greatest pride was his family - he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Each summer after he retired, the family met for the “annual family camping weekend” which featured a different Ontario Provincial Park each year. The 26 years of hiking, canoeing, and campfires together are regularly revisited at family gatherings.
Predeceased by his sister, Catherine, Garry was uncle to Colleen, Cameron, Catherine, and Christopher Burns.
The family is very thankful for the excellent care of Dr. Susan Truong and the wonderful staff at Scarborough General Hospital.
Garry believed in volunteerism and found purpose and meaning in his work with Habitat for Humanity GTA. For over 15 years he worked with groups of volunteers to build homes for families in need. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Garry’s name to Habitat for Humanity GTA at https://habitatgta.ca/donate/ would be greatly appreciated.
Cremation has already taken place, as per Garry’s wishes, and a private family memorial will be held in his honour.