Garry Fieseler
July 12, 2020
July 12, 2020
July 12, 2020
This notice is long overdue. It’s been one year today, July 12, since Garry passed. It feels like yesterday and forever ago all at the same time. COVID has prevented us from gathering and celebrating the man he was sooner.
So many things could be said about Garry. One of his finest qualities was his ability to make whoever he was with, truly feel special. He was genuinely interested in what you had to say and what you were up to and he always made you feel heard; this is a rare quality.
His storytelling was famous, his curiosity endless, he embodied continuous learning (no matter what the topic) right up to the very end of his days. He never once lost his sense of humour and joy of life.
…..That smile, those laugh lines and yes, those beautiful blue eyes…..
On Sunday, July 12, 2020, Garry Ervin Fieseler, loving spouse and father of 4 children passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 77. He will be lovingly remembered by his spouse Hollis, his children Lara (James), Curtis (Kathleen), Kenton, Richard (Sharon), his 6 grandchildren, and 4 step-grandchildren.
Garry was born on December 12, 1942 in Russell Manitoba to Ervin and Alma Fieseler. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from UBC in 1964 and was among the first students to be admitted to Simon Fraser University upon its opening in 1965 where he later received his teaching degree in 1966. He started his teaching career in Kamloops before moving to the lower mainland where he continued to teach for 30 years. One of the highlights of his career was teaching at Boulder Bay Forestry Camp for youth offenders. Garry made a second home out of Mazatland, Mexico and had a life-long love of travelling. He enjoyed researching, trying and learning new things and had an avid interest in all things related to art.
Garry was preceded in death by his father, Ervin Victor Fieseler, his mother, Alma Helena Phillips, and his second wife, Sylvia Schurman.
Garry will be missed by his spouse, his children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family and a large circle of wonderful friends and neighbours.
You are invited to leave a personal message for the family.
Garry was truly a special person, we are so happy that we knew him and so sorry that he has left us. I will always remember his great big smile, and yes, those blue eyes!
~ Sandie and Mike Pigden
I was writing a list of all significant people who had inspired me growing up. When I was 8, Mr. Fieseler was my music teacher at Golden Ears Elementary School. I certainly hope I have the right person. He looks the same, but I remember him with dark, almost black , wavy, longer (not long) hair. I have a special memory imprinted on my mind. I was interested in learning flute . I took my flute to him and told him it was broken because I couldn’t get any sound out of it. He gently asked me if he could take it from me, and he played an octave scale and handed it back to me. He said, “Keep practicing and you’ll get it.” That single interaction and shock of him being able to get sound from it, made me so determined. I played flute from that age. onward. He is the reason I love to learn music to this day. I still have that flute and I still play. I have also played oboe, took some violin before Covid and I am in my second year of piano. I absolutely love music. It reaches my very soul. I am 49 now. I have him to thank- he showed me the way. I am sorry he passed before I got to share this with him. Which was my intention. I know he must have been a great man in your lives for he had a huge impact on mine.
~ Karen Jones