May 26, 1954 – July 31, 2022
Garnet passed away peacefully on July 31, 2022, at the age of 68, following challenges with several different health issues over the past few years.
He faced each new battle with determination and cheerfulness, and his positive attitude and will to fight were inspiring to witness. Garnet was born in London, Ontario, moving with his family to Barrie, Ontario, as a young child. He attended the University of Guelph earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with a major in Animal Science.
He came west in the late ‘70s and worked in the oilfield and then in the livestock industry. He married his wife, Fiona, in 1983, and in 1986 they were fortunate enough to buy a dairy herd near Cochrane and then moved up to the Olds area in 1993. Garnet sat on several boards and committees during his 14 years as a dairy producer and was always eager to learn and to make a contribution.
Following the sale of the dairy herd, Garnet was able to pursue his interest in stewardship of the land and raising grass-fed livestock. He was a lifelong learner, never content with the status quo, always looking for new ways of doing things and yet valuing tradition and the experience of others. He loved visiting with friends and meeting new people and was genuinely interested in the opinions and life stories of others. Garnet was a man of principle and integrity, and was unfailingly kind and thoughtful. He enjoyed training border collies, sailing, reading, and recently even taught himself to play the piano. But above all, he loved his family.
He was immensely proud of his daughters, Julia and Rachel, and took such delight in his granddaughters, Harper and Hadley.
He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Mary, and his sister, Judy, and he remained close to and will be greatly missed by his sister, Sheila, brothers Sandy and Fraser, and their families.
A celebration of Garnet’s life will be announced at a later date. Donations in Garnet’s memory can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Alberta or the charity of your choice. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made or viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
