Garry Theodore Cordeiro

January 15, 1969 – January 9, 2024

As I am writing this today, I am filled with conflicting emotions. There is sorrow of course of the passing of Uncle Garry, but also a sense of gratitude for having had such an incredible man in my life.

He was an uncle yes, but he was so much more than that simple title implies, he was a mentor, a best friend, my calmness in the madness, my son but also a sense of gratitude for having had such a love from Garry that most people never will know in their lifetime.

Garry was quiet Hero, he didn’t speak but when he did say these few words “Hi Guy, Pop No” that commanded attention. His quiet strength defined him in every aspect of his life.

For me Garry’s purpose was to demonstrate to this family that different does not mean less. His larger purpose in life for his family and to go forward and share with people who don’t look or act the same mean just as much.

Looking back, I can remember the exact moment that Garry changed how I viewed people who are different, who didn’t fit into the box. I was roughly 12 maybe 13 years old and Garry had one of his famous KACL dances but he would get to have fries and gravy at Zellers first. Garry was always laughing and “outbursts” vocally in public places. I watched as a mother of two children walked in stared and were whispering, judging him. Initially I was embarrassed but when I looked at Garry smiling, laughing and just content to be eating fries and going to the dance with no judgements I was angry, they were judging him based on his appearance and voice ticks, not this beautiful human in front of me!

As people we often fall short in this Garry was always pushing us, sometimes perhaps unknowingly to be more patient, more compassionate and more understanding.

Even though Garry was different and did have struggles in life with his health, he made an impact, not just for his dotting Mother but with his niece Maria and her four children, his family and the many people he came across throughout his journey’s with his mom. Garry was super easy to get along with, he would greet you with a ‘Hi Guy’ and a slap on the hand.

Garry loved music and shared that love with those around him. He was his authentic self, arms up and swaying, big smiles, eyes fluttering, it could be rap from ‘Biggie’ to Country, Garry loved having music in the background, you would find Garry towards the last year playing notes on the piano for his many girlfriends.

Garry was predeceased by his father Anibal Cordeiro in 1977, his mother Alda Cordeiro in 2011, his brother Lou in 2022 and George Cordeiro in December 2023.

He leaves behind his brother Zeke, Herb (Brenda), Andy (Lorraine), his sister Liz and sister in laws Donna and Starla Cordeiro, his best friend Niko and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and friends too numerous to mention.

A Private Funeral Service will be held at Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Centre with Deacon Vic St. Croix officiating.