Gary was born June 14, 1936 in Tisdale, Saskatchewan to parents: William Francis Stoker & Henriette Marion Duchesneau. He resided & attended school in Crooked River, he was the oldest of 4 children, siblings: Dale, Myrna, Billy.

Gary became the man of the house at 10 years old when his father died of pneumonia. He quit school in Grade 11 to work for the Dept. of Highways to help support his family. From 1955 to 1960 Gary was in the Navy, after leaving the Navy, Gary worked for the Dept. of Highways from 1960 to 1965. He then worked for Pioneer Grain from 1965 to 1996.

Gary met Betty Humphreys on New Year’s Eve 1963 and they were married on Oct. 10, 1964.

Gary was very involved in the Crooked River and Tisdale communities, coached and played hockey, umpired and coached baseball, very active in the Legion, participated and volunteered in the Tisdale Curling Club, Air Cadets’ instructor, loved gardening, music, dancing, and card games. Gary enjoyed endless summers at Marean Lake as a boy and with his kids and grandkids. He enjoyed traveling especially to Las Vegas and Palm Springs and had an infectious laugh and lively sense of humour dotted with colourful language.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 53 years Betty, daughter Shelley (Roger) Rotariu, son Kevin Stoker, grandchildren Brett & Danna Rotariu, brother Dale (Loretta) Stoker, sister Myrna (Ray) Tennent as well as numerous relatives and friends.

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