It is with heavy hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Gary McKinnon, of Vulcan, beloved husband of Maxine, at the Vulcan Community Hospital, October 3, 2023, at the age of 71 years.
Besides his loving wife Maxine of 49 years, Gary is lovingly remembered by his son Kevin, daughter Kristine (Kelly) Mix and grandchildren Grayson and Kailey Mix. He is also survived by his siblings, Lorraine (Jim) Dibben, Bob, Dale, Jean (Jim) Bristowe, and Marlene, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Brothers-in-law Howard, Harry, Norman, Gary, Dean, and Glen Pickering and sisters-in-law Elsie (Art) Friesen and Laura (Lorne) McGowan. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Hank and Agnes McKinnon and infant sister Myrna.
Gary was born in Vermilion, Alberta June 9, 1952. At the age of 20, he ventured to southern Alberta seeking employment and settled in Vauxhall where he met Maxine. They moved to Fort Macleod where he apprenticed with Alberta Transportation as a welder. He achieved the second highest mark in the province of Alberta upon completion of his Journeyman Certificate. This began his lifelong love of repairing, fabricating and design of metal. He also became proficient at machining parts. They later moved to Claresholm where he began working for a local welding shop and a short time later started his first business.
A few years later, the family moved to Vulcan, where he got a job at Vulcan County in the Repair Shop. After many years, he decided to try his hand at self employment again and started G&M Welding. Many of his accomplishments can be seen around Vulcan and surrounding area, including a replica of the Starship Enterprise, Town of Vulcan Tourist Center, Vulcan Cemetery War Memorial and High River Medicine Tree.
He loved what he did and he worked hard. His favorite part of his job was seeing and being with his customers and many of them became close, lifelong friends. After the work was done, many stories and laughs were shared over beers, preferably Pilsner. He was an armchair politician and did not shy away from sharing his views on any political topic, especially the on goings in Ottawa.
He was an avid reader, any genre from fiction to history to mechanics. His knowledge was extensive on many topics. He especially had a passion for World War II airplanes, rescue missions and their heroes.
After being told by family and friends it was time to retire, he reluctantly gave in. This allowed him to begin restoring his prized collection of vintage tractors. His collection favored the John Deere series. Nothing gave him more joy than to be able to work on his favorite tractor, his Cockshutt, which was the same vintage that he operated as a young man. He recently began attending local tractor pulls with his tractor.
His family was his priority. He was incredibly proud of both his children and grandchildren. It brought him so much joy to spend time talking and laughing with them. He attended all the children’s activities. Grayson and Kailey’s antics were one of his favorite topics of conversation.
Life’s work well done.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, October 13, 2023 at the Vulcan Cultural Recreation Centre at 2:00 pm with Sue MacDonald officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation vchw.foundation@gmail.com or Box 28, Vulcan, T0L 2B0.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences through www.vulcanfuneralhome.ca, We Remember.
Max and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Gary. He truly was one of the good guys with that crazy sense of humor and ridiculous work ethic. I will always remember him smiling and giving us a joke with his Scottish accent. I know you guys will miss him so much. May your memories give you some comfort. ( I have a feeling he’s telling big stories and drinking a beer with my dad, Dick.)
I met Mr McKinnon twice , both times at Work, Vulcan Tourism and Trek Station, what a pleasant man ! You could tell he really enjoyed his work . Sad that he has gone . Condolences to the family.
Dear Maxine and Family,
We were shocked to hear of Gary’s sudden passing. We didn’t see him often but his friendly, cheerful way will be remembered. Our condolences, love and prayers are with you all.
Karen & Lloyd Reid
So very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Our deepest sympathy to Maxine & family.
We were saddened to hear of Gary’s sudden passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Our sincerest condolences Maxine and Family.
Marc & Rebecca Mackenzie
Dear Maxine,
So very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. He always had an easy smile and will be remembered and missed by all who were lucky to know him. Take care of yourself dear friend. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your precious family.
Maxine and family, we are sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Always enjoyed our visits with you and him, very pleasant man.
Maxine, the phone call came as a shocker, as only talking to him a few days before that makes it hard to digest. Gary was a good hard working humble man that made his family # 1 and pride for his workmanship. He was one man that deserved a long full filled retirement. To be taken so early, doesn’t seem right. He still had lots energy to teach & give.
Wishing you and the family only best heart filled wishes for your loss.
Cheers to a good man.
Kelly Hauser
Maxine, Alanna and I are so very to hear of you and your families loss. Gary has left his touch on so many things in Vulcan county and beyond. He will be remembered anf missed by many.
Thoughts and prayers from our family.
So many times Gary fixed what seemed impossible and always had a great story to tell to keep a guy laughing. Knowing Gary my entire life from him tying up my skates as a kid at hockey to some great laughs at the county shop, then your shop You will be missed dearly.
Ian and Serena Donovan
Our sincere condolences to all of you. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Our deepest condolences to you Maxine,Kevin,Christine and extended family,he was one of a kind ! You are all in our prayers in this devastating time
Sending our sincerest condolences to Maxine and families. A true gentleman will be missed. We will be toasting Gary with Pilsners. May memories keep him close. .
To Maxer, Kevin, Chris, Kelly and family,
My heartfelt feelings for your loss. Wow what a friend…lots of memories, laughs, fun, work, fixing my farm projects and sitting down for a beer or six after the work was done, or the ballgame over.
I will always remember what a great guy he was!
Our condolences and prayers,
Ron and Virginia Barnes
My heart is with you and your family.
Maxine and family, we are so sorry to hear about Gary. We will always remember his sense of humor and warm smile. Sending you tons of love and hugs.
Our deepest sympathy to Maxine and family. May your memories help you through this difficult time.
We are very sad to hear the passing of Gary. Our deepest sympathy to Maxine, Kevin, Kristine and family. Also to all of Gary’s siblings and family’s. We will dearly miss Gary’s sense of humour, wisdom, and presents at the family reunions.
Condolences Matt, Trudy McKinnon and family.
Maxine and family … my sincere sympathy to all of you on Gary’s passing! He was quite a man … and I was always in awe of his mechanical ability and the fact he could basically fix anything! His work was meticulously done and about the only thing that exceeded his skill level was his friendliness! It was a pleasure to take work into his shop if only for the great conversation Gary always had time for. He will certainly be missed by everyone in The Vulcan County … and beyond!
Dear Kevin and Family,
Sending our sincerest condolences to you all with the passing of Gary, our hearts are breaking for you. We will always think of him fondly and all of the great memories we shared. He was truly one of a kind!
Love,
Paul, Donna, Julie & Lisa Faber
Dear Maxine and family,
My brother Jay and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you in this shocking and sad time. I was very fortunate to spend time with Gary and Maxine at the 2018 family reunion. I will remember his sense of humour and good nature. May he rest in eternal peace. Love, Josie & Jay McKinnon
My sincere condolences Maxine and family, he was an amazing man and will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Maxine and family. Please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss.
When I think about you and Gary and your family, I realize I only know you from the McKinnon reunions that we attended over the last 50 years. My connection with you and your family was pretty much limited to about 3 days every 3 years, yet I feel that we all got to know one another quite well.
Gary always cherished his conversations with our Dad and I know Dad had a few favourite nephews, especially Gary, in attendance. Since Sandy and Hank looked and sounded alike, I am sure Gary recognized his Dad in my Dad.
Gary will be missed for many reasons, for me, it will be his sense of humour and quick wit.
All the best, Laura
Max, Kevin and Kristine and Family, Many Prayers to you all on the passing of Gary. I know he loves you all big time And his practical jokes were always a show stopper because he could pull them off with such a straight face. You would have to drive a very long country mile to find anyone that didn’t know him or his amazing metal talents. Once Gary built anything it was in place to stand the test of time. I will truly miss him big time and if you three need anything, I am not hard to find. Many Prayers and Blessings. TP
Dear Maxine and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was a wonderful friend and to have the opportunity to work with him was a blessing.Ruth and I are both thinking of you and your family in this time of grief and our prayers are with you
Dear Maxine, Kevin, Kristine and Family,
We want you to know that “Sparky”, literally kept our outfit running on more than one occasion. He never backed away from a McFadden break down ( and some he should have… 🙂 but when things got a “Gary fix” they were well and truly fixed! We will miss his friendship, his sense of humor, skilled craftmanship and his brilliant smile at our farm. We are sending our warmest thoughts your way and remembering Gary with much fondness.
Rod and Lori McFadden and Family
Heartfelt condolences; he was an awesome person and great neighbor who’ll be missed much! Next door Neel
Sincere condolences. Gary was such a good friend and mechanic. His talents will long be remembered. God bless your family and May all the shared memories bring you comfort.
Edna, Dave, Mike and Kelli
Our sincere condolences to all of you. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Deepest condolences to Maxine and family, thinking of you all
Our deepest sympathy Maxine and family. So sad. Our thoughts are with you at this time.
Heartfelt condolences to Maxine, Kevin, Kristine, Kelly, Grayson and Kailey. Gary was a true professional and gentleman who was a friend to all that knew him. The work he completed for us was always impeccable and done with precision and dedication to his ethics. We know he will be dearly missed by all of you and the entire community.
Dear Maxine, Kevin and Kristine and Family,
We know your hearts are broken at the lose of your beloved husband and father and grandfather. As well we, the friends of you all, have broken hearts, knowing we will miss a good and caring friend and neighbour. He will forever be in our hearts. Please know that we are thinking and praying for you as you share and cherish the wonderful memories of Gary.
Love Leighton, Penny, Matt and Theresa and Family
Deepest sympathies to your whole family Maxine. We are deeply sorry for your loss.
Dean and Louise
Our deepest condolences Maxine Our thoughts and prayers are with you What a great guy Gary was