›› Allan Gallupe
Gary lived at the corner of Fernwood and Vining for 28 years. He was a good friend and neighbour to all. You’d often find him on his front porch greeting passersby, always ready for a chat. Maybe there’d be a few bikes for sale on the front lawn, picked up on the garage sale hunt and retrofitted in his basement workshop. All those many years he would buy and sell all kinds of eclectic treasures, spotted with his astute eye for quality and impeccable taste—nothing “schmenky” as he would say.
In earlier years, in the cold months he’d be off to some exotic warm locale on travels to Mexico, Central America, South East Asia—around the world. One winter was spent in Finland, just to be different. Many stories—and many photos—flowed from those wanderlust days.
More recently, Gary spent most of his time closer to home. You’d still find him out on the porch, the white GMC van out front with the yellow boat—the Snark—on top, ready to sale/sail when the time was right. As his health declined, Gary’s door was still open and friends from near and far would stop by to visit. Sadly, he died August 28 from complications of COPD. Friends and family sent him off in style on September 8th at the FCA Paul Philips Hall.
Travel on, Gary! We’ll still remember you at the corner of Fernwood and Vining.
