Garry Melvin Korven

It is with a profound sense of loss we share that Garry Korven died with medical assistance on October 4, 2024, with his family at his side, after living with PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) for seven years.

Garry is survived by his wife, Carol, whom he loved for more than 60 years; his children Kristine (Brian Swan) & Karl Korven; four grandchildren (Kennedy, Simon, Declan & Nathen); his brother Michael (Loretta) Korven; his sisters-in-law Bette MacDiarmid & Marion MacNeill and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son, Ken Korven; sister, Carol Kennedy and sister-in-law Marj Knutson.

From a young age in Cabri, SK, Garry participated in baseball, hockey and track and field. At fourteen, he began attending Luther College High School in Regina where a whole new world of opportunities opened, including playing football, basketball and volleyball. Garry played baseball for the Regina Red Sox in grade 12, and after high school was an All-Conference Safety at the University of Saskatchewan and played basketball for three years at the U of S, Regina Campus. During this time, Garry and Carol were married in 1965. After graduating with a Bachelor of Education degree, he played another season with the Regina Red Sox before returning to Luther College as a PE teacher, Athletic Director, multi-sport coach and Dean of Men from 1969-1974.

From 1974-1980 Garry served as the Recreation Supervisor at Wascana Institute. During these years, he completed a Master of Education degree from the University of Idaho, was a member of the Wascana Country Club and coached a junior men’s basketball team that swept the SK Games, advanced to the Canada Winter Games and later competed in the Canadian Championships. Garry volunteered as Vice President and President of the Saskatchewan Amateur Basketball Association and was selected to sit on the Sask Sport Board and attend the Canadian Games as part of the staff supervising the Saskatchewan athletes. In 1981, Garry and his family moved to Port Alberni, B.C. where he worked at Parks & Recreation as the Sports Program Coordinator and then the Director of Recreation. He returned to teaching in 1990 and retired in 2003 at age 60. Garry was a member of the Alberni Valley Golf Club and played hockey with the Port Alberni Old Puckers for 39 years.

Throughout his life, Garry was generous with his time and talents and created many opportunities for others to engage in sports and recreation. He organized and managed leagues and teams in a variety of sports for both men and women, and put in countless hours as a coach, referee, administrator, board member and teacher.

Garry always looked for ways to enjoy life and to find humor and a reason to laugh. He was interested in people and their stories, and he was interested in sharing his stories, believing strongly in the value of oral tradition. To the end, Garry and Carol shared a love for each other that was deep and unwavering. Garry’s generosity of spirit and loyalty was the foundation of his relationships with his children, grandchildren, extended family, teammates and friends. Garry will be greatly missed but loved and remembered in the stories shared about him in the days ahead.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for the care and support provided by friends and family, the Home Care Nursing team, the ALS and Related Disorders Clinic and the ALS Society’s Equipment Loan Program. At Garry’s request, there will not be a service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ALS Society’s Project Hope or Equipment Loan Program (https://www.alsbc.ca/donate/).

Condolences may be offered at www.chapelofmemories.ca