Gary Armstrong was born in Calgary, Alberta May 25th, 1955. His
mom, Ida, had grown up on a farm in the prairies, but after the
war the family had moved to Armstrong B.C., near Vernon. She moved
around and found herself in Salmo up in the Kootnays, serving the
miners in the mine cafeteria and there she met Roy Armstrong. When
the mine closed down they both moved to Calgary where they got
married and where their first child Gary was born. After moving to
Kitimat, B.C. Gary’s sister Lorraine, and brothers Ron and Kevin
were born. Gary used to watch over his younger brothers and sister
protecting them and making sure they were OK. Gary was a
Champion in the true sense of standing up for others who
needed help or defending. We remember his finger pointing sternly
at the one who was doing something that wasn’t good or kind.
Many of us have memories of Gary tugging us by the arm because
there was someone important he wanted you to meet, or someone who
needed a warm welcome. Gary was an ambassador for
others. He always was glad to have someone else become the center
of attention. He never seemed to want us to notice him, unless we
were failing to notice someone else that he felt was important
One of the greatest gifts that Gary offered to his friends was
his welcome. His whole body seemed to light up and his arm would
go out in a handshake or a hug. At that moment you were the most
important person in the world to Gary. Gary was a welcomer.
The family decided to move down to Vancouver where Gary could
get better support. He enjoyed Oakridge School, and spent the rest
of his school years there, making many life-long friends.For many
years he lived at home with his mother and father and then with
his mother after his dad’s death. He was a great help to his mom
and very good company for her. He got around on the buses by
himself very well, and worked in a number of workshops and day
programs over the years, including Pender St. Joan Burrows, Gary’s
social worker, mentioned Joy Fellowship to Ida and suggested that
Gary might enjoy it. The rest is history…
Gary
was a shepherd. Gary watched everyone so carefully,
would let people know when there were problems somewhere:
someone was sick, someone was doing something they shouldn’t,
someone was frustrated, someone had just arrived, He was a man
who was always on the lookout for what he could do for others.
Other people were what Gary lived for. He was most concerned
that other people he cared about were properly treated and
properly welcomed and he loved his neighbor as he loved himself.
Latterly, Gary loved living at Taseko group home in Richmond.
He enjoyed the increased freedom, and the interaction with others
and the activities and the staff. He loved to come home to his
mum, but only for a visit. He was very good on the buses and was
able to travel on his own from Richmond to his moms home, down to
bowling and many other places. Gary joined Special Olympics and
last summer was in the Summer Games where he won a ribbon for shot
put.
Last year, on Mother’s Day, not long before he went into
hospital, Gary insisted that his Mom come to Joy Fellowship for
the Mother’s Day service. Since then Ida, too, has become a
beloved member of our church. What a wonderful gift of God Gary
has been to us all. We miss Gary very much.
