Jackson, Gary Irvine
Gary Irvine Jackson
March 17, 1943- June 1, 2022
With profound sadness, yet, with gratitude for a well-lived life, our family announces the passing of Gary Jackson surrounded by love, family and stories.
Born March 17, 1943 to Richard and Mable Jackson (Graves) in Queens County, N.B., Gary grew up with his grandparents, Bessie and Irvine Graves, in Anagance, N.B.
Gary and his wife, Marguerite (Taylor), graduated from Petitcodiac Regional High School (1963) where they benefitted from wonderful teachers, one of whom was Marguerite’s mother. As a young man Gary achieved the rank of Warrant Office II in the air cadet corps. Through his life he maintained his love of the air force, planes and flying.
A graduate of McMaster University, (1970) Gary spent his career in the medical instrumentation business, culminating as President of Fisher Scientific Canada, Fisher Scientific Europe & Africa and Karl Storz Canada. During his career he travelled the world and often remarked that he had visited six continents. He had a long-standing relationship with business partners in Japan and travelled there several times each year. He served as Director: Canada/Japan Society, Regional Director: Air Canada and Director: Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Beloved and loving father of Sandra Jackson (Tom Burian), Craig Jackson and Teressa; devoted grandfather to Claire and Jack Burian; Rhys, Eloise and Charlotte Jackson; loving uncle to special niece Catharine Taylor; caring friend to Prescila Alsonado; also survived by his sister, Ethel DeWitt, Edmonton, Alberta.
He maintained his connections with New Brunswick friends and family and treasured summer visits to the family cottage on Bellisle Bay where he revelled in times with Marguerite’s siblings and their families – Ralph Taylor (Georgie Lee), Vernon Taylor (Beverley), Eric Taylor (Linda), Shirley Tingley (Gerald), Frank Taylor (Pauline), Stuart Taylor (Darlene), Harry Taylor (Esther), Marlene Middleton (Leigh), Monica Alward (Nelson).
Principled, gregarious and generous, Gary had a quick wit and an incisive sense of humour. He was gifted with many talents on which he built as he crafted his life. In all he did, he made a difference.
He will be missed deeply by family, friends and his grandchildren who were the source of his joy and whom he regaled with stories and expectations.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.tranquilityfuneralservice.com The family invites friends to visit with them on June 5, from 2:00 – 5:00 pm at the Waterside Inn, 15 Stavebank Road S, Port Credit.
Memories of Gary: https://youtu.be/6cB88M0erbM
We were saddened to learn this week of Gary’s passing. I will always remember with fondness his perfectly audacious and larger than life personality. Extraordinarily accomplished on many levels from his humble beginnings, I appreciate his time, efforts and help that he offered us in 1997 and 2000. Our Condolences from Bloomfield, NB to Marguerite, Craig and Sandra.
John Herron & Family (Heather, Rosemary and Patrick)
My deepest sympathies to the entire Jackson family . I knew Gary very well through our working relationship at Beckman and Fisher.
Truly remarkable man I will miss him and think of him often.
Bob Grandmaitre
Marguerite, Sandra, Craig and your families. I was very saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. I cherish my memories of him – he certainly had an impact on my life. I’m thinking of you at this difficult time. Jeff Francis
My condolences to the Jackson family. I worked under Ken Johnson when Gary was the president of Fisher Scientific Canada. I have very many fond memories of Gary and the times we travelled together. He was one of the funniest people I have ever encountered. He could be warm and generous but always gregarious and I learned a great deal from him in the years I worked in Ottawa. He was always helpful to me in my career. When I worked for Beckman instruments in Vancouver I met Gary on several occasions although were not in the same line of business. He helped me rejoin Fisher and he was a major factor in my promotion to marketing in Ottawa. I’m very sure he will be terribly missed by his family and grandchildren .
My condolences to the family. I am very saddened by the news of Gary’s passing. Gary Jackson was instrumental in improving customer, supplier and employee satisfaction @ Fisher Scientific Canada with his fun loving personable leadership. He definitely made a difference, and set the stage for future company success.
Hello Marguerite,
Gary called me last year and we spent a very long phone call reminiscing our many travels and times working together. I have been very fortunate to meet some special people in my life and he is at the top of the list. Judy and I send our heartfelt thoughts to you and your family.
Ken
Dear Marguerite and Family,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the passing of your Beloved Gary. May his Memory Be for a Blessing.
Dear Marguerite
The news of Gary‘s passing comes with great sadness. I hope the richness of your lifelong love, and the support of your wonderful family will sustain you during this trying time. Someone once said “grief is the price we pay for love”. May your grief be quickly overtaken by the indelible legacy of Gary’s love. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn the passing of Gary, while also celebrating his wonderful life.
Jim Watt
It was with great pleasure to meet Marguerite and Gary some time ago when they came to Edmonton to help our brother, LaVern and Ethel (Jackson) DeWitt celebrate their anniversary. Gary was so polite, thoughtful, and kind as we visited together. He truly showed compassion for his sister, Ethel. He was so faithful in calling her many times during the week to cheer and to chat, especially after LaVern passed away. He surely will be missed and we pray for the Lord to give Marguerite and families the comfort and strength that they need.
Dear Opal,
Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness in sending me a message. Your words are soothing and reinforce the character of the man, Also, thank you for your support to Ethel. Understandably this is a very tough time for her too.
Warmly,
Marguerite
It was quite a number of years ago when we first had the pleasure of meeting Marguerite and Gary at an anniversary celebration of my brother, LaVern and Ethel Jackson DeWitt in Edmonton. He was genuine in his comments and so very congenial to us. He showed how much he cared for others, especially after Ethel lost LaVern; Gary was ever so faithful always in checking on her and chatting many times a week to keep her spirits up. Even though we met so many years ago, his kind personality still is being remembered. May God comfort and strengthen Marguerite and family in these times ahead.
Opal and Melvin Shadbolt
Dear Aunt Marguerite, Sandra and Craig,
We were so saddened to learn of uncle Gary’s recent passing. Our family has wonderful memories of uncle Gary’s trip to Alberta over our growing up years and for his time spent with our family. He was always a fun guy. Kind and generous to a fault. Always up for new adventures even skidooing or horseback riding neither of which were his strong suits or just imparting to us from his great storehouse of wisdom. He has big shoes to fill and will be greatly missed by all of us, especially our mother/sister Ethel Jackson Dewitt. With all of our love and prayers until we meet again.
The Dewitt Families.
Dear Marguerite. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Dear Marguerite, Sandra, and Craig,
I just learned of the sad news of Gary’s passing otherwise I would have come to give my condolences in person. Gary was a great boss and mentor to me. I always valued his business advice and friendship over the years. I know how much he cherished his family and especially his grandchildren. It was wonderful to view the slide show and be reminded of his great head of hair and big smile. You will all have those memories of vacations and family time together. Gary certainly lived a fulfilled life! He will be greatly missed.
My thoughts are with you all during this time and in the future.
Take care,
Karen
Marguerite, the obituary was a wonderful recounting of a life of impact, personally and professionally. I hope the love and support of those around you sustains you during this time of sadness.
Gary was a special person to with my parents, Bob and Ella Dunfield of Anagance, it goes way way back to 1949 when he was just a little boy.. Whenever he was in the area on vacation, he usually stopped for a visit and they really appreciated that. Although I only met him a few times, I do remember his smile and laugh.
Kent Dunfield
Dear Jackson Family,
Sending my love and prayers during this difficult time. I can attest that Sandra is carrying on Gary’s example of generosity, quick wit and a desire to make a difference in all that she does. My thoughts are with you.
Sincerely,
Tara Brohman
Dear Marguerite, Sandra, Craig and families,
I had to comment again after viewing the slide show. You can see from all the photos that Gary had a wonderful, well lived life. He was a generous man who loved life and and had a great way making everyone feel comfortable. Our family loved visiting you in Port Credit as did my Dad and Pat and Claude Steeves. His passing will leave a deep void for you all and his extended family. Love to you all as you carry on without him. May all the memories from the slide show and many more bring you comfort. “When a loved one becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.
With your home in Ontario and ours in New Brunswick, we didn’t get to spend a lot of time together,,but are grateful for every minute we did have. Gary will be missed by many who appreciated his warmth and sense of humour and the fact he cared about others.
Howard & Joan
Was so sorry to hear the news of Gary’s passing. A truly kind and wonderful man who made an imprint on everyone he met. All our condolences to the family and may the memories bring you joy and light in the days ahead xoxo
Dear Marguerite, Sandra, Craig and families,
We are deeply saddened to hear of Gary’s passing.
Looking at the slide show, it is so evident that Gary adored you Marguerite and his face is filled with joy whenever his children and especially grandchildren are around.
Our deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend.
“Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Dear Sandra,
Your Dad was such a livewire that it is hard to comprehend that he is no longer with us; yet, if it’s possible, heaven will be a better place as a result of his arrival. As much as I will miss my stimulating conversations with him, that feeling pales in comparison to the ache in the hearts of you and your family, so I wish all of you God’s blessing of peace at this time of a terrible loss.
Dear Marguerite, our deep condolences to you and your family on the passing of Gary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Elsa and Howard Chandler
So many wonderful memories of Gary over the years.
Always so encouraging and supportive of all of dreams and endeavours!
We have been blessed to have known and loved him!
Sending love ❤️ Marg, Sandra & Craig
My sincere condolences for you and your family and my deepest sympathy and support. Wishing you peace and courage.
Dear Sandra,
I want to express my deepest regrets at the passing of your dad. From the fondness in your voice and the warmth in your demeanor whenever you spoke of him it was evident how much he meant to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this most difficult time.
Ryan, Sandra and family
It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our dear friend and neighbour Gary. We will miss our impromptu get-togethers and chats. With Gary gone, there will be an emptiness on our street. It will be with sadness every time we look across the street at his empty chair on the porch. He was more than a neighbour; he was our dear friend.
We send our condolences to Marguerite, Sandra, Craig and family.
Any day we woke with the knowledge that we would be seeing Gary that day brought an immediate smile to our faces. His spontaneous warmth and contagious laugh confirmed exactly what you anticipated. His wit, intelligence, love of life and friends was never failing, snd swept you up in the joy of his presence. Not averse to a practical joke, it was always another fun episode, and was often aimed at himself..
It is difficult to imagine there will be no more such happy occasions, but the memories fill the mind and the soul, for which we will be forever grateful.
My heartfelt condolences to you and you family, Marguerite. May the the many loving memories you have shared with Gary comfort you.
Marguerite – very sorry to hear of your loss. We have fond memories of seeing Gary &
and you on your return visits to New Brunswick over the years. Please know that you and your
family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Cheryl & Graden
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. We have such fond memories of him. His presence certainly filled the room and his laughter was contagious. The world was a better place with Gary in it and he will be so missed. We will be thinking and praying for you Marguerite, Sandra, Craig and their families as you deal with the difficult days ahead.
We are so sorry about your loss, please accept our most sincere condolences, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time.
Opresniks
Marguerite, I am so very sorry for your loss. My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I have no doubt you will find great comfort in the treasure of the many memories you have created over the years you had together.
Dear Marguerite, Sandra and the entire Jackson family,
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Thinking of you and wishing you moments of peace and comfort.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories”.
Love,
Shahla & Noushin
Dear Marguerite. I was so sorry to learn this morning of Gary’s passing. My condolences to you and your family at this very difficult and sad time. May his memory be for a blessing. And may you find strength and resilience in the days ahead. I will be thinking of you. Lynn
To Marguerite, Shirley and especially Ethel. I was so sorry to see the passing of Gary. He will be very missed! He would stop in to visit Mom and Dad while they were at the cottage in N. B. May God comfort you at this time of your loss.
Marg and family,
So very sorry to hear of the passing of Gary..We met a few times over the years,and enjoyed many chats with Gary…My sister Beth has shared many wonderful memories of your friendship through the years with you and Gary and she and Barry…I know she will treasure them always…we are thinking of you,your family and friends at such a sad and difficult time…
Lori and Paul Andrus
Marguerite, my thoughts are with you and your family. Let me know if there is any way I can help. Take care, my special friend.
We will miss Gary’s bright smile and fun disposition around the pool in Florida.Your family has suffered a tremendous loss; please accept our most sincere condolences.
Sven, Mary, Matt, Rob, JT and Katy
Please accept my condolences on your loss. I didn’t know Gary real well, but he was part of our family since I was a little girl. He was also a special friend to my sister, Fay. She thought the world of him. He has had a long struggle. May he now rest in peace.
Jim and I are deeply saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. He and Marguerite have been close friends and our travel partners for more than 50 years. We will truly miss him and know our thoughts and prayers are with you, Marguerite, and your family.
The world is a little less bright today knowing that Gary’s sun has set. I will miss his humour and his warm smile. Thinking of you all in the difficult days ahead and sending lots of love! Julia Salvini