Remembrance / Yvonne Zacharias (former colleague )

You were always a bit of a puzzle to me but I never doubted you were a light shining bright. Just thinking of you brings back so many memories of when we were young.

Peace.

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Not forgotten...  / Rhonda (Friend)
FB is now telling me to "catch up" with you...oh how I wish I could. I hope you now know how much you were loved for the incredible person you were. You are not forgotten! Close

condolences / Elinor Florence (Old Friend )

I worked with Clarence Fairbairn at The Western Producer and became acquainted with Garry then. The last time I saw Garry was when we had dinner at Hy's Steak House in Saskatoon just before he left for his new job in Washington DC. He was as happy as a boy because Canadian Press had paid professional movers to pack his things a sign of really hitting the big time. He was also filled with optimism and enthusiasm about life and his chosen career.

Garry was a true gentleman in every sense of the word - kind patient and loyal. My sincere condolences to his family.

 

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The most charming cousin!  / Margot Hurlbert (cousin)

One of my most cherished memories is attending the Fairbairns' house for family get togethers and special events like New Year's.  This is the home I was in when Neil Armstrong first landed on the moon! Watching Garry and his brothers play war games and discuss politics late into the night was a special treat! Garry was always charming handsome and so very intelligent to me the younger cousin.  The vibrancy passion love and happiness within that home I will always remember and Garry's special place within it.

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Memories... / Catherine Fairbairn (Niece)
My favourite memories of Uncle Garry were from when I was growing up and my dad and I (later David too) would go over to his place for a game of D & D. I was always in awe of his creativity and the way he really helped bring the game to life! I would usually stay the night and have a sleep over with Ashley. Garry would take us to dinner out bowling or to the store for treats. In more recent years while my grandmother was still alive we would sometimes arrive early on Sundays so that we could play a game or two before dinner. I never had the chance to visit Garry in Calgary but I am confident that he was content. I consider myself lucky to have had the chance to know such a wonderful person and regret that in my youth I could not fully appreciate his wit! Close

My favorite pen pal  / Shirley Tyacke (Aunt)

Garry used to tease me about being his much older aunt (there was a whole eight months age difference.) We spent a lot of our summer holidays together in our younger years and while apart we wrote letters to each other. Two much different lifestyles me home on the farm and Garry living in the big city of Winnipeg. It was always a treat to get a letter addressed especially to me and early on he showed a glimpse of his literary expertise. Eventually we both became busy with raising a family and doing all the things that all young people do. These last few years we took up our correspondence again this time through face book and e-mail. Instant communication. It was because of Garry that I joined face book - as Norma said - its a great way to keep in touch. Garry was happy in Calgary and I was hoping to go and visit him soon. I am so glad I found my pen pal again and that I had a chance to pick up where we left off almost fifty years ago. My heartfelt condolences to Jordan Jamie and Ashley; Norma Brett & family; and Clare.

Garry's much old Aunt Shirley

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A real character  / Terry Hockaday (Colleague)
I knew Garry from many years as a journalist with competitor magazines Country Guide and Canadian Cattlemen and later as I worked in corporate communications dealing with the agricultural community. He was a fine journalist with a passionate interest in agriculture. As I got to know him better personally I came to appreciate his wry sense of humor. That was never more evident than when I called on him as a member of the corporate communications community. It was always a good discussion and I would be gently reminded of the importance of journalism standards. Like his father he was one of the real characters of the farm journalism industry. My condolences to his family. Close

Condolences to Garry's family  / Mark Lisac (friend)
In the early 1970s at the Regina Leader-Post a slim dark-haired guy with a perpetually thoughtful expression appeared from time to time at a strange machine toward the front of the newsroom. I learned he was the local CP correspondent and soon afterward learned that he was very good and very fast. Garry quickly became my model for how a good reporter should do his job. Over succeeding months he also became a friend who was set apart by a gentle nature and by an endless capacity for wit of both the humorous and farsighted varieties. I unfortunately hadn't seen him for many years before hearing of his passing but will still miss him. My condolences to everyone in his family. Close

Working with Garry  / Liz Delahey (Colleague)
I had the pleasure of working with Garry for nine years at the Producer. He was passionate about the paper fun to work with and open to new ideas. He took great care in converting the paper to Macintosh and was quick to lend a hand when others had difficulty. I loved his sense of humor. My condolences to family members.
Liz Delahey Close

Condolences to Garry's family  / Ellen Ashton-Haiste (former colleague )
I worked with Garry at the Regina Leader-Post in the early seventies and remember him there as an excellent journalist liked and admired by his co-workers. I was happy to reconnect with him online a couple of years ago and discovered we had some interests in common. I enjoyed his prolific book reviews. I will miss him and I send my deepest sympathies to his family. Close

So sorry to hear this news -- my condolences  / Colleen Slater-Smith (Friend and colleague )

In the mid-1970s I worked with Garry at the Leader-Post in Regina.  Garry was a very fine person.  My condolences to the family.  -- Colleen 

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I'll miss Garry terribly.  / J.K. Kelley (friend)
I first came to know Garry by mail playing board wargames in the 1970s when I was a teen.  I was a troubled young guy and Garry was so patient with me both on a visit where he drove several extra hours to see me and on a visit from me to him in Calgary.  At the time I didn't fully apprehend what a handful I was.  We lost touch when I headed off to college.

Only in the past year did I find him on Facebook.  I knew nothing of his health problems though given his age I had to consider them.  We bantered now as grown men and I got the chance to express my gratitude for his role in my youth by sending him a copy of a book I helped author--it arrived within only a month of his passing. How doubly glad I am it arrived in time.

Garry will never be forgotten and wherever my house is his name will always be a term of respect.  Farewell Gar'ogi of the Fro'ogi.

J.K. Kelley
Kennewick WA USA Close

"If its peace you find in dying,........"  / Lesley Cluff (old friend )
I don't think Garry ever grasped what an incredible individual everyone else knew him to be.  Meibe that was his downfall.  He did set a standard for great  journalism great humour intelligence  integrity and kindness.  He was way ahead on technology.  Without much ego he would share whatever information he had.  Living so far away its been nearly 17 years maybe more since I last saw him but we kept in touch then lost touch then back in touch with Facebook. Whew so good to know he was okay and alive not too long ago.  Now his death is a bit of a shock but hopefully he will now find the peace and that ego that eluded him here.    "If its peace you find in dying let my dying time be near..."  David Clayton Thomas Close

Sophisticated motorcycle rider  / Kathryn (cousin)
As a youngster I was always somewhat in awe of Garry... my older much more sophisticated cousin who for a living wrote books and followed the lives of such great men Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Elliot Trudeau. As a teenager I got to know Garry on a more personal level and even enjoyed touring around with him on his motorcycle when he stopped by to visit us in Kinistino! Recently I reconnected with him on Facebook and enjoyed chatting with him about various things. I most enjoyed his wry sense of humor and his great talent at writing; it was easy to tell he was a jounalist! ~ Kathryn Melfort Saskatchewan Close

Very special  / Helen Campbell (aunt)
Garry was very special. He was John and Elsie Hurlbert's first grandson; he was Clarence and Eva's first son; he was my first nephew all 8+ lbs of him. He was named after his dad's best friend Lawrence Ferguson an Air Force pilot who lost his life in WWII. Incidentally Mr. Roy Ferguson Lawrence's father was my principal at Kinistino. Not only did we have teaching in common but also the Fairbairns so news was up-dated frequently. As a youngster Garry spent many hours exploring and being educated about life on the farm which was such a contrast to his life in the city. These experiences probably provided background for his later successful career as a journalist. Garry also had a keen interest in politics. I remember a surprise meeting in a Saskatoon hotel elevator. There was Garry - from Winnipeg 15 years old attending a Conservative Youth Rally. Everyone knew my support of John G. Diefenbaker was 100% so I was thrilled to know that Garry was in the cirle too! To Jordan Jamie and Ashley our sincere sympathy. To Norma Brett and family our sympathy and thanks for your efforts to help Garry find a satisfying quality of life. To Clare - our heartfelt sympathy. I'll miss Garry too. ~ Aunt Helen Melfort Saskatchewan Close

Condolences / Lawrence Braul (brother-in-law)
Condolences to Jordon Jamie and Ashley and Norma and brother Brett. Garry was very appreciative of everything that Norma and Brett were able to do for him including their help with his move to Calgary and their frequent visits. Garry's move to Calgary was the fresh start that he needed and he used it to reconnect to many. Garry was smart and polite and exceedingly modest never wanting to make any claims or proud boasts. A gentle soul who will be missed. ~ Lawrence Braul Calgary Alberta Close

A gifted scholar  / Bud And Muriel Hurlbert (Uncle and Aunt )
As a gifted scholar always interested in the world around him Garry was a delight to visit/chat with if one were fortunate enough to be in his company when he didn't have to dash off chasing a story. As an uncle I know also that Garry's Mom/Dad were so very proud of their First-Born and that He brought them much joy. As for heartache it is a human condition from which we cannot escape. We have great memories of happy bygone times with Garry his brothers and his Mom/Dad. Bud and Muriel Hurlbert Close

Thinking of you  / Lynn Murphy-Osborn
Thinking of Brett and family on the loss of your brother Brett. I was sorry to read of Garry's passing. Take care of yourself will be thinking of you. ~ Lynn Murphy-Osborn Port Coquitlam British Columbia Close

Many happy memories  / Keith Dryden (colleague)
Brett and Family: I have many happy memories of associations with Garry firstly as a free-lancer then when he succeeded his father Clarence as managing editor and then when he succeeded me as editor. He was a skilled computer user and did some pioneering that benefited The Western Producer and other newspapers which were experimenting with Macintoshes. His background in history and writing about agriculture was extremely valuable to us. He helped build what is now  the No. 1 agricultural newspaper in Canada. The high regard with which he was held in the journalism field helped us obtain and hold quality staff. He was a popular and highly regarded member of the Canadian Farm Writers Association and Canadian Journalists Association. These are the things I`ll remember about Garry. My sympathies to his family. Keith Dryden. Close

A man of many talents  / Barb Glen (Colleague and friend )
Garry was first my colleague and later my friend. He was an excellent journalist and a supportive boss and he built much of the foundation on which the Western Producer still rests including its code of ethics its bureau system and its technology. His wit and ready quips brought many a laugh to our newsroom. Our world is poorer for his absence. My condolences to his family and to all his other friends. Close