Date of Birth: July 4, 1958
Date of Death: May 23, 2025
Garry Merlin McConnell, beloved husband of Liana McConnell, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the age of 66.
Garry fought bravely to recover in hospital after a myocardial infarction. He fought hard and we genuinely all believed Garry would have more time, but it just wasn’t in the cards.
Garry married the love of his life, Liana Rothnie, on Sept. 20, 1986. He was the loving father of Mark Riley McConnell, married to Aimee Ferguson and fur-granddad to Charlie and Georgia. As well as father of Megan Ewert, married to Devon Ewert and fur-granddad to Harlow.
Born in Melville, SK, to Isabel and Russell McConnell. Garry grew up in a household with three siblings: Gwen, Rob and Doug. Garry attended St. Henry’s School and graduated in 1976 from the Melville Comprehensive High School. Garry had juvenile diabetes at an early age, and freaked out his friends when he showed them how he gave himself his own needles. Despite juvenile diabetes, Garry succeeded in sports, school and anything he wanted to do.
After graduation Garry’s career path had him living in many places, including Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Regina. He was deeply involved in Saskatchewan Child Find when he was in Regina. He learned to play the bagpipes and to everyone’s surprise after years of telling his friends he was Irish, he revealed that actually he has Scottish ancestry.
In 2006, the family moved to Calgary, AB, where eventually he pursued his dreams of opening his own business, Wheels Training Centre Inc., a driver and motorcycle training school. He was so enthusiastic about motorcycles and safe driving habits, this seemed like a perfect fit to share his passion with the world!
Garry and Liana raised two amazing children together, who married their soulmates. This is one of Garry’s proudest accomplishments.
Garry will be remembered for his unwavering love and resiliency. He was the definition of loving, kind, stubborn as hell, passionate and deeply empathetic, and he cared with his whole heart.
Garry is survived by his wife, Liana; children, Mark (Aimee), and Megan (Devon); siblings, Gwen (Garry), and Robert (Lorraine); nieces and nephews, Erin, Ashley, Andrew (Amy), Kyle, Ryan (Montana); great-nieces and nephews, Joseph, Shayleigh, Brynn, Madailein, Brayden, and Connor; and longtime friends, Larry Brooks, Karl Bazin, Martin Knuth and Sandy Russell (Kelly).
He is also survived by brother-in-law, Ike (Karen); many nieces, nephews, and extended family members and sister-in-law, Sandi.
He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Russell in 2019, mom Isabel in 2024; his brother Douglas in 2021; and nephew Lucas in 2018; as well as father and mother-in-law, Bruce in 1969 and Georgina (Jo) Rothnie in 1985, and brother-in-law Terry in 2024.
A Celebration of Garry’s Life was held in Calgary June 21, 2025.
