Gary Greer

Gary Douglas Greer

Gary Douglas Greer was born on June 17, 1944. It is with great sadness that we announce his passing on May 25th, 2023 after a long struggle with lung disease. He passed away peacefully at the Carleton Place Hospital.

Gary was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He is predeceased by his parents, Pearl and Willis Greer, older brothers Gordon and Jack, and sister Patricia (Crampton). He is lovingly remembered by his wife Margaret, his children Allison (Brad), Todd, and Janice (Mike), and his two grandsons Ayden and Declan. He is also fondly remembered by his nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Gary was an avid sports enthusiast from a young age and remained involved in various sports throughout his life. When he was seventeen, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and went off to serve his country and see the world. He was stationed in Quebec and Labrador, where he had some harrowing experiences in flights with doors falling off, undercarriages on fire and more! He also spent time in the Yukon and at a place called Alert, just 200 miles from the North Pole, where it was dark day and night for four months of the year.

While on leave from the north, he met a young lady named Margaret, and they were married in 1969 when he was transferred to Base Borden (just outside of Barrie, ON). With his wife and daughter Allison in tow, he was then transferred to Germany for a three-year stint. There were wild adventures during his time there, and the birth of his son Todd was just six weeks before their scary flight home to Canada.

During the five years he settled his family in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, they had their third child Janice. His family along with Auntie Joe began camping, which he loved and it became a constant in family life. Gary served in the Middle East for two six-month tours of Peace Keeping also during this time.  He was then transferred to Kingston, which would be Gary’s last posting as he retired from the Military and launched into civvy life (as non-military life is referred to). They returned home to Carleton Place, where he enjoyed life with his children's sports, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends at Glenn Isle, a hub of fun and activity. 

Throughout Gary’s retirement, he kept busy renovating, working, and playing at Carlbeck Golf Course, going to garage sales, collecting and putting together old stereo components, enjoying life at Mississippi Lake, and spending cold winters in Myrtle Beach.  Gary's latest adventures saw getting on his scooter to Riverside Park, taking in a ball game, or just enjoying the freedom the four-wheeler provided. 

He is loved immensely and will be forever missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.

A funeral service to celebrate Gary's life will take place at Captain A. Roy Brown, Legion Branch 192, Carleton Place on Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 1 pm with a reception to follow. Donations to Captain A. Roy Brown, Legion Branch 192 would be appreciated by Gary’s family.

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