Tribute

Edward Garry Wilks passed away peacefully at the Poplar Ridge Pavilion in Trail, BC, on March 28, 2022, from health complications.

Garry was born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan April 14, 1940, to Alex and Ann Wilks who resided on a farm near Nipawin, Saskatchewan.  The family moved to Calgary Alberta when Garry was around 14 years of age.  He attended school there and eventually joined the Calgary Fire Department and retired as a captain in 1989.

He and his wife Marjorie then moved to their property in Balfour, BC to enjoy their retirement. The first year in Balfour Garry acted chief of the Volunteer Fire Dept until they could hire a permanent chief.  His biggest aim in life was to enjoy the outdoors fishing and camping in the area and on the prairies.  He loved smoking and canning the fish he caught.  Being a firefighter, he was also known as a great cook and his specialty was fried chicken and cheesecake.

Garry loved to play the guitar and jamming with his friends.  He played with Red & Pat’s Band for a few dances, Remembrance Day at the Balfour Beach Inn, and some dances in the area. In later life he and his wife enjoyed spending their winters as snowbirds in Yuma, Arizona.

Garry is survived by his wife Marjorie, sons Don and Darrell, daughter Jodi and stepson Kirk who all reside in Alberta. He is also survived by his brother George (Lynn), brother Ernie (Linda)and sister Carole. His grandchildren Ben Wilks of Ontario, Stephanie and Ericka Wilks of Calgary, his great grand children Garrett & Kaylie, and many nieces and nephews.

Thank you to the staff at Homecare in Nelson, the nurses, doctors and other staff who helped Garry in the Kootenay Lake Hospital and the staff at the Poplar Ridge Pavilion in Trail.  All your help was greatly appreciated by us.  A very big thank you to all the paramedics and Balfour First Responders as well.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, 2234 30 Avenue NE, Calgary Alberta, T2E 7K9  www.CFBTS.org.