We Remember
UPDATED: With a family response – BENSON, Garry Frederick
March 19, 1961 — October 8, 2022
It is with profound sadness that the family of Garry Frederick Benson announce his passing on October 8, 2022, at the age of 61 years, in Kelowna, BC.
A member of the Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Garry was born in Lac La Biche, Alberta, on March 19, 1961. Although Garry’s storied career includes government senior management, his true passion was for the law, which he began as a RCMP officer, later attending the University of Victoria to complete his Law Degree.
Garry was the founding partner of Benson Law, bringing together a skilled team to realize his vision of a full-service law firm that represented many clients throughout the Okanagan Valley. He practised law in Kelowna for over 20 years at his firm, including over 1500 hours of Pro Bono legal services. Garry’s legal achievements were acknowledged with a Queen’s (King’s) Counsel designation.
Garry was an extremely active volunteer in his community, often as a Board member, but also offering numerous organizations strategic advice and fundraising support to many organizations, including: Uptown Rutland Business Association, Rutland Park Society, East Meets West Orphan Foundation, and the Nature’s Trust. He was also a founding member of H.E.L.P BC, a member of the Central Okanagan Indian Friendship Center, and he volunteered with the Hope and Heal Foundation. Garry was the former Chair of Kelowna’s Economic Development Commission and a Director of the Uptown Rutland Business Association. Garry’s hard work didn’t go unrecognized, he received many awards and honours over the years, including: the Fred Macklin Man of the Year award, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin, the Alberta Aboriginal Role Model Award (Justice), and the BC Achievement Community Award. Garry was also an Honorary Fellow of the Okanagan College.
Garry’s family (broadly defined) and friends remember him as an extremely charismatic, resilient, and generous man with a big heart. Garry always made time to take a call, have a visit, or to grab a drink at his “reserved” table at Cactus. He had a passion for hosting, where all were welcome into his home, to enjoy music, great food, fine drink, and great conversation, usually lasting late into the night. With such an expansive and eclectic group of friends surrounding him, there is no shortage of stories (wild or tame) and great memories of this powerhouse of a man. Garry also loved the outdoors; golfing with his friends; sausage making/canning; hunting with his family; ocean fishing trips; and travelling the world. Garry will always be remembered for his head-shakingly-bad, deserves a groan, “Dad Jokes”.
Garry is survived by his two children, Jaci and Aly; his five sisters, Marge, Bertha, Rose, Marlene, and Lavon; and six brothers, Mike, Don, Len, Allen, Willie, and Paul. Garry is also survived by his nieces, nephews, and close friends, many of whom he considered family.
Kitiwam asimina kawapamitan, Garry
We will be holding a Celebration of Life service on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022, at 10:15 AM, at SUNSET RANCH (5101 Upper Booth Rd S, Kelowna, BC). There will be an Elder run traditional Pipe Ceremony, for those wishing to attend. The main service will start at 11:00 am. Please join us in celebrating his legacy with wine, food, and conversations celebrating your favourite memories of Garry.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Family Response to those who helped them on the day of the Celebration of Life
Community and friendships were two essential pillars in Garry’s life. Because of the endless love and laughter that filled the air on Friday, the Benson family and all of his loved ones were able to celebrate his life so beautifully together and start to heal. Words can hardly begin to describe our thanks to everyone who attended and helped us. We hope that you in turn will feel some of the immense love we received from you all the next time the warm sun hits your face, or when you raise a glass in his name (hopefully at Cactus Club).
To the Elder, Bernie Makokis (with help from Gabriel Benson), who began Garry’s celebration of life through smudging, prayers, and the pipe ceremony, we greatly appreciate the education and grounding presence you brought, setting the perfect tone for the service. To those who spoke; Claire Janzen, Former Chief Chad Eneas, Tod Alstad, Allen Benson, Patti LaBoucane Benson, Ragwa Gopal, and Robert Tonsoo, we can’t thank you enough. To George Tuccaro, we thank you for honouring Garry by playing that incredible song for him. All of your words and songs will live on in our hearts forever.
To the staff at Springfield Funeral Home and Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club: working with a family in mourning is no easy task, especially with the limited time you had to arrange everything, we cannot tell you how grateful we are to all of you. No matter how small the request, all of Garry’s, and the family’s, wishes were fulfilled. We felt well taken care of through the entire process, and knew that there was always someone we could rely on. Garry loved playing (the best he could at least) at Sunset Ranch, and we are thankful for everything you did to make it “his way”.
Hyi Hyi,
Jaci and Aly Benson
Service
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022, at 10:15 AM
Location
SUNSET RANCH
It is with extreme sadness that we lost Garry too early. He had a huge heart, charisma, humour and was a very generous person, who was a community connector of people. I am attaching a selfie that Garry took on our mexico fishing trip in Feb, 2021. His zest for living life to the fullest was captured for me in this picture. My condolences to all of Garry’s family. He was an awesome friend….
I was very sad to hear this. I worked with Garry at Benson Law back in 2006 – 2010. He was always larger than life, caring, friendly and welcoming. Thoughts are with his family and close friends. Garry was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
Gar, this is tough news to hear bud. We had lots of fun my friend through law school and as kids grew up and never forget you trying to rock Kelsey to sleep until Nancy rescued you.
Miss you my man and say hi to Nancy for me while playing golf.
See you soon
We are sad to hear of Garry’s passing . He touched our lives for a short time but we will never forget him. He was a kind and generous friend . He will be missed John and Inge Sieger
Peter and I both send condolences to the family. Garry was always very helpful and always welcoming to us whenever we saw him. When my father passed away he was extremely helpful to my mom. His legacy is two wonderful daughters, both of whom I had the privilege to teach. They are both beautiful humans.
Peter and Ann Pullinger
We were deeply saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. We are travelling and cannot attend the celebration of life. We send our condolences to the family. Gary you will be missed 💞
I worked with Gary when he articled here in Kelowna. He was an intelligent student lawyer and always courteous. We had a great working relationship and he will truly be missed.
Till we meet again my friend thanks for being the person you were and became. the world is missing a great man….soo sad rip my friend…..till we meet again.
john and caroline lopes- perretta
I am so sad to hear about losing my great friend Garry, my lawyer, my knowledgeable advisor on business, life, and even wine choices. He lived life to the fullest for the 20 plus years I have had the pleasure to call him my friend.
Garry will be dearly missed by all who had the opportunity to meet him. Always so generous, and especially caring.
We have been friends with Garry for over 25 years and considered ourselves lucky to have him as a friend. We saw him only a couple of months ago and he told us that he was doing great and that he was coming to visit us soon at our new home in Osoyoos.
He was always in touch with us no matter where we moved to and loved to have us come visit him for a weekend or longer. Garry was a lot of fun, he loved to laugh and would always find something good in everyone he met and everything he did, and he spared no expense at being the perfect host, we always shared a scotch or two which he helped us to discover.
He helped us so many times throughout our friendship whether it was our legal needs or just to listen when we needed an ear. He was always there to take a call as we were for him. We will miss him so much! Rest in peace Garry, you’ll always be in our hearts.
Our condolences to Garry’s family and many other friends.
– Al & Gwen Gage Osoyoos BC
Garry was a friend and a politically active supporter. It was his support, along with Al & Donna Horning and Walter Gray that I was able to win the nomination prior to running in the 2009 provincial election. He frequently advised me on many legal and other matters important to our community, province, and myself. Our community was the better for having him lead from behind the lights and is worse today with his passing. Missing him already.
I have other photos that I would love to share : )
A good laugh, good council, I’ll miss you Garry Benson. I feel that you faced it with a brave face, a warriors resolve. You will be missed, remembered well, but for us all, we’re better off having been around you. Bye for now.
I am shocked and so saddened by this news. I worked with Garry many years ago at Salloum Doak, and as a client on many a file at Benson Law. Garry was a staple in my business world, as an advisor, a colleague and even a guest speaker on a few occasions. Garry was always keen to be involved and help out. Our community has suffered a tremendous loss. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends.
So sad to hear the news of Garry’s passing he will be greatly missed in the community. Condolences to the family.
We saw Gary just days before he passed. He had the most positive outlook. just as always. I have learned from him how to deal with adversity and I’m grateful for the good times we shared from good legal advice to showing my son how to strip some of the moonshine taste from his homemade whiskey..in my early 20s we shared beers and we BBQ crayfish at the shells cabin. . we will miss you greatly my friend
RIP Gary we’ll miss you.
Nous présentons toutes nos condoléances à la famille et ses proches. Nous sommes de tout cœur avec vous , pour cette triste journée et nous vous souhaitons beaucoup de courage.
Nous avons eu la chance de connaître Gary il y a 6 ans et d’avoir partagé de merveilleuses soirées en sa compagnie. Nous garderons de Gary un homme exceptionnellement gentil , genereux et bien veillant..
On ne l’oubliera jamais….
Isabelle Pascal