Gary was born on July 11, 1944 in Coventry, England immigrating to Canada at the age of 6 in 1951 with his Mother Gladys (passed 2015) and Father Edgar Rees (passed 2000) in our Nation’s capital, Ottawa, Ontario. Gary grew up in Ottawa; he was a fantastic athlete in many sports, baseball, hockey, weight lifting and football and had a quick kick at the can with the Ottawa Rough Riders in 1965.
In 1968 Gary took a big step in becoming the man he was today by joining the RCMP Reg#26508. He spent all his service in Saskatchewan. After basic training his first post was in Northern Saskatchewan at Big River. He was then posted to LaLoche where Gary would meet his greatest love and better half Bonnie. Gary and Bonnie were then posted to Mel fort, Saskatchewan where they would be married and have two wonderful kids; daughter Jennifer, 46 (Dean) and Son, Barry 44, (Jennifer), grandkids Arryah, 12, Taityn, 10 and Daxson, 8. Gary and Bonnie's next stops were in Pelly, Buffalo Narrows, Yorkton and lastly in Regina where he finished up as "F" Divisional Rep. Gary was a much respected member of the RCMP and was seen as an outstanding Policeman, a Cops COP!
Throughout Gary's 27 plus years of service, he was a big factor within the RCMP hockey teams, fastball and slow pitch teams at many of his postings as a player, coach and manager. Gary was always there for his fellow officers in blue. In Regina, the Rees family added an addition to the family as an adopted son Kennedy Nkeyasen, 42 (Erin), grandson Ezra, 3, and bump on the way.
Gary and Bonnie retired to Vancouver Island in 1994 spending the last 25 years enjoying their time together. They made many more friends to go along with their many friends that would come and visit on the Island from the prairies.
It is with great sadness that we say good bye to one of the good ones, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, jokester and prankster; a man who could put a smile on one's face in a moment notice.
RIP Dad, you are and will be missed by many.
A service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at the Errington Hall, 1390 Errington Road, Errington, B.C.
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