Miss you and love you.Wish you were here with us Think about all the good times we had
Hugs and kisses Ev

They say that every kid looks back and remembers a teacher that made a big difference in their life.  For me, that was Mr. Human.  I was devistated when the family moved to Atikokan.  While I wasn't in his class, in that short year, he taught me that while my disability prevented me from being a welcome member on a sports team, there were other ways of participating.  He helped bring me out of that shell I was building for myself with his patience and kindness, and I will always be grateful for that.  When I stumbled upon this news, it was with great sadness for the world has lost a very special man.  My condolences to the family.

Brenda - I send my sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. I remember his infectious smile and joy he expressed as I knew him during my years in high school. May God fill you with His peace and strength in the days and months ahead. Tracey (Bedard), Perry Towle and family

In 2001 I was posted to Lac du Bonnet RCMP . One day I was approached by an elderly man who informed  me that I was not the first 'HUMAN' in the RCMP. I had just met my Great Uncle Gary. We had the chance to meet and talk at Keri ELLIOTT's. I learned alot about my extended family that day. God speed Uncle Gary.  Cst. Paul HUMAN -RCMP Selkirk,MB

I have struggled over the past days wanting terribly to post a tribute to my brother, and yet struggling to limit the number of words to fit here (clearly I failed at brevity) while capturing all the memories of Gary seeded over decades. I was inspired by my niece Keri's tribute; it carries me back in time and so to follow her lead…
I remember…
… every trip home to Morden Gary made. I would be vibrating with excitement as Mom finished preparations waiting to hear the crunch of the gravel in the driveway that heralded his van (he always seemed to drive a van). They're here! Running out to meet him, Curtis, Brenda, and Jodi before they could even get the van doors opened. Visits were made even more special when Ev could take time away from her nursing work and come too!
… Gary bringing his whole volleyball team home. I recall in my childhood they would camp out in our rumpus room. They don't call finished basements that anymore. LOL.  Chinese food would be ordered in.  In my high school years, his team stayed at the town motel, no doubt to make it easier on Mom in her sunset years. I remember rushing to the motel to greet him, gathering with him and his players, proud to be introduced as his sister. I felt like a celebrity. The affection and place of honor he held with his athletes was palpable. Chinese food was not to be forgotten then either, and off we all would go to fill the local Chinese food restaurant. Why Chinese food? I wonder now if it had to do with somehow paying tribute to Dad, calling to him in the heavens with a fragrance Dad would recognize, beckoning him to follow the mouth watering aroma that heralded the Human's were gathering to join us in spirit in the tradition Dad had started by cooking Chinese delectable's for supper each New Year. 
… summer visits to Atikokan, to house or cabin. At the cabin hand feeding pet ducks egg shells on the trail down to the dock. Being bitten by black flies so badly I had to be trundled off to the doctor by Ev and Mom for a remedy for the wounds they left on my ears…
… ears that relished hearing him play his guitar. (My siblings are all so talented! Gary and Keith artistic like Dorothy. Sharon a musician like Gary.  I think they take after Dad that way.) We would gather together and sing. One year I got to play along with the tambourine, the fuss he made over me, you would think I had conquered the most challenging of instruments. His accolades made me feel like a master musician!
… one visit to Atikokan with Sharon, they responded to my most favorite request, “Dance Gary and Sharon!”, and they did, dancing the jive in the basement to my squeals of delight. Oh, to be able to dance like that!
… sitting at Mom's kitchen table, Gary teaching me the “new math” techniques. I never did master it. Hey, epiphany… maybe that's why the math involved in money management evades me to this day! LOL!
… I had invited all my brothers and sisters to my graduation from nursing school. Sharon and family were moving that day to Flin Flon, Vicky and her husband Tom were living isolated in the north, Dorothy brought Mom, Keith remained at home finding crowds difficult, and Gary drove 6 hours one way to attend the ceremony to immediately have to drive back the same day. That meant so much to me. I can see, even now, the expression on his face.  I was asked to sing at the ceremony.  I was so nervous to stand in front of the 400 people gathered in the St. Boniface Cathedral, trembling holding a microphone for the first time, I searched the audience for comfort, and found Gary, settling my gaze on his face it steadied me; his expression shone with pride, and gave me the courage to raise my voice in song. Little did he know, I used that same trick again, settling my gaze on his face when singing at his daughter  Brenda's wedding to Miles. I wish I had told him the strength he willed to me to overcome my stage fright at those times. 
... walking past our brother Keith's room after his passing, and seeing Gary in there, silently lingering. I never asked him how his heart was. I should have.
… the call Gary made to me when his grand-daughter Kristin was ill and being brought to Sick Kids Hospital here in Toronto. He asked  would I go meet Jodi and Kristin there. He didn't have to ask. I was only too happy that he entrusted me with their care.   
For me, the greatest blessing has been to be the “baby of the family”, spoiled beyond deserving. With the privilege of being youngest in the line of the Human siblings, my heart shatters with the reality the youngest must in later years bear witness to the loss of those my heart holds most dear, those who played such a critical role in molding the adult I was to become.
Embarking on adult lives, time and distance has the tendency to limit the opportunities to be together to create memories like those shared here.  Not atypical, but with it come regrets. Words left unsaid, deeds left undone. I wish… I hope, Gary, that you knew how much you meant to me, your baby sister, and that I love you.

To Evelyn and Family
Our sincere condolences to you and your family
Bob and Arlene(Human) and Family  Winnipeg, MB

To my Aunty Ev,  Cousins Curtis, Brenda and Jodi and their extended families, I send my love, condolences and sympathy.  I have such fond memories of Uncle Gary from my youth and the time we all spent together (and my sister Keri with the best memory of all of us has articulated that so well).  My thoughts and heart are with you as you grieve.  May memories and faith be of comfort.  Love Lisa

I did not know Gary well, but he was the handsome and kind older brother of one of my best friends.  I admired the fact that he followed his dreams.  Condolences to all the family.  He belonged to one of the kindest and best families I have ever known.  Looks like it rubbed off on him, too.

I remeber "Jag" when he taught summer school in Thunder Bay in the `70s. A very fine teacher, and he made a great chicken & cheese sandwich. Condolences to all touched by his presence.

I have many memories of my Uncle Gary over the years, always full of fun and laughter, 
and teasing.  He was my mothers big brother, the one we called Grandmas favorite, who
saved the family in the middle of the night running barefoot in his pajamas to get help
when the house was ablaze..  (although we teased him he shoulda woke everyone up
first!).  When we were kids, Uncle Gary and Aunt Ev went to Antigua and we got to keep
our cousins! what fun! I cant spell it, but I remember the neat seeded necklaces they 
brought us back.. and a cool carved wooden bottle opener for mom and dad, which we
still use.  We would visit and stay out at their cabin.. beautiful area!  Curtis was building a treehouse or fort (I earned a black eye for watching so close!) and nursing a wounded bird in a box..  Lisa and Jodi (whom we called the Twins) were out playing somewhere, and Brenda and I were off on a wilderness hike. I ended up stepping on a wasp or hornets nest and finding my legs covered in nasty critters and stinging tingly sensation.  Well we ran all the way back.. me crying all the way, and hollered for Uncle Gary.  Brenda helped me explain where it had happened and Uncle Gary was off to the rescue immediately.  While Aunt Ev and mom made a baking soda bath for me, he went to slay the offending mass.
I was so upset and unsure about going outside, but Uncle Gary showed me the gasoline
can he used to make sure I would not be bit again!  On one such occassion he taught us
this cheeky chant about being a ninny!  Capital N, Capital I, Capital N, N, Y!  We would copy him, singing along and moving our arms like he did... such a character, we thought he was the coolest (and he was).  I remember him playing the songs Mr. Bojangles and Tambourine Man and loving them.  One time while visiting at Grandmas, Uncle Gary had
just returned from Volleyball coaching in Hawaii.. possibly Olympic, he was so hyped 
and proud of his team.. he had a stack of photos in his hands and would point out the
beautiful jumps and form captured in thim... he loved coaching and sports.  Yet another
time he brought artwork he had done.. we still have one at least in our collection,  black
ink line drawings of historic buildings in Morden.  There was no end to his talent.  I 
can picture him the way he clasped his hands out front and his youthful laugh.  

  Unfortunately over the years we all went our separate ways, and saw less and less of 
each other, as often happens.  Funny how losing someone you havent seen in so long
can hurt so much.  He was a core element in our family, a main character in our lives
(and quite a real character at that!) that you expect to always be there somewhere.
But that time and distance in no way diminished the amount of love and pride I carry
for Uncle Gary.  I am thankful he is not suffering and that he can be with Grandma &
Grandpa Human (Maude and Bert) and Uncle Keith,  pretty good company to be keeping,
the lot of them.  My heartfelt sympathy to my long lost cousins, Curtis, Brenda and Jodi, 
(and families) & Aunt Ev for losing her partner of so many years.  You are all very dear to me and I have been blessed to be a part of your lives.  Rest in Peace Uncle Gary,
knowing you have lived life to its very fullest and touched the lives of so many. 
 Love, Keri

To the Family and Friends of Gary Human 

 

To succeed in life, you need three things:

a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.

Reba McEntire

 

We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Gary Human.

 

We first met Gary about twenty-seven years ago when I proceeded to start an Air Cadet Squadron in Atikokan during my "free" evenings when I worked for the Federal Government  as a Job Creation Officer during the day and spent a week at a time in Atikokan.  

Colonel Jack Young, of the Thunder Bay Militia, and a Social Worker, had provided the information that an Air Cadet Squadron would provide the area youth with a much needed program.  He shared that there had been several youth suicides in the area at that time.

 

There was much foot work and planning, and Gary was  approached to be the first Commanding Officer of the Squadron.

He was instrumental in the start-up of the Air Cadet Squadron and accepted that responsibility with a  positive response and great interest.  The Squadron was started and has remained for twenty-seven years.  It has provided many opportunities and experiences for the youth who have participated.  Many have distinguished themselves with awards from their training, and have travelled for special events.

 

There are many individuals and Service Clubs who have supported this endeavour through the years.

Atikokan's efforts surprised even the D.N.D. (Dept. of National Defense) that a small community could support  this undertaking.

Gary is thanked for taking this first step toward this accomplishment.

Thank you Gary Human

The first Commanding Officer of 

The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 600 Starfighter - Atikokan

 

It was a pleasure knowing you.

 

Sincerely,

Sandra & Mike

Dear Brenda,
My heart goes out to you and will be praying for you and your family.  I can only guess about what an amazing man he must have been by what I see in you.  I am looking forward to hearing some of your favorite memories when you return. Till then may your heart find peace.  Much love, Vickie

OBITUARY

John Albert Gary (Jag) Human

18 April, 1934 – 4 February, 2012

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