Gary Lawrence Anderson

Gary Lawrence Anderson was born on a Friday. June 27, 1952. He passed from this life on Friday, November 17, 2023. He was 71 years of age and living in Edmonton, Alberta at the time of his death.

Gary was blessed with 3 children and 7 grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Neil (Lindsay) Anderson, grandkids Anabel, Autumn and Jonah; and by his daughters: Kerstin (Ken) Hurd, grandkids Campbell and Clover; and Amy (Curtis) Thompson, grandsons Oliver and Asher.

He is also survived by his sister Irene (Vern) Harder of Peace River. 2 brothers-in-law: Marvin Olson and Vern Harder. 3 sisters-in-law: Carol Anderson, Marjorie Anderson and Janice Anderson. And by numerous nieces and nephews who remember their uncle fondly.

Gary was the youngest of six children of Wilfred and Lila Anderson (nee Hilde). He grew up in the Meeting Creek, Alberta area – with siblings Luverne, Wayne, Yvonne, Don and Irene.

As a 22 year old young man, his early married life took him to Fort McMurray. When he moved closer to his roots in the Camrose area, he played hockey as a goalie for the Camrose Maroons. Gary’s passions also included country music. He wrote some of his own songs and enjoyed performing with his guitar whenever he had the opportunity. In high school, Gary discovered a love for the game of curling and during his time in Olds, Alberta, he curled competitively, enjoying a degree of success in the Southern Alberta playdowns. Both in men’s and mixed curling.

During the years he spent in Olds, Gary earned his Journeyman ticket in carpentry at SAIT and built houses in the area. He remained in construction throughout his life, managing residential and commercial projects in and around Alberta.

After a couple of years in Red Deer, he moved to Calgary, one of his favorite places because he loved the southern Alberta landscape and because he was a Calgary Stampeders fan.

Gary’s relationship to God was important to him. He battled addiction throughout his life and in times of struggle, he looked there for comfort and guidance. Realizing he needed to make a change, he decided to enter a treatment program and was accepted into Simon House Recovery Centre, where he resided for a time. His graduation speech from that program affirmed his desire to live alcohol free. Through his determination and perseverance, he achieved that goal and maintained it for the remainder of his life.

At Gary’s request, there will be no memorial service. His family asks that you reflect on your good memories of Gary, hold them in remembrance and in your hearts. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, consider Simon House Recovery Centre, 5819 Bowness Road NW, Calgary, AB, T3B 0C5. Their program made a positive and lasting impact in Gary’s life and it would be his wish that it continue to do the same for others.