Garry passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on April 29, 2026, at the Chinook Regional Hospital.
Garfield “Garry” Alvin Dyer was born on March 28, 1935, in Gronlid, Saskatchewan to George Dyer and Phyllis Hammersmith.
Garry grew up in the Coal Branch area of Alberta with his mother, step-father Lester McLeod, and six brothers. Older brother Laurae, and younger brothers James Dyer, Theodore “Ted” Mcleod, Jack McLeod, Robert McLeod, and Duane McLeod.
Garry enlisted with the Royal Canadian Navy after leaving home, and later joined the merchant navy, where he served on an ice-breaker in the Arctic Ocean (at a time when there was still ice to break).
After leaving the navy, Garry drifted for several years until his path led him back home to Edson, where his mother introduced him to a single schoolteacher, Marian Knox. Marian and Garry were soon married, and their first child Bradley was born in the fall of 1964 in Calgary. Younger brother Graham followed in 1967, when Garry and Marian were in New Westminster, while Garry completed his electrical apprenticeship.
Garry worked as an electrician and proud member of the I.B.E.W. until retiring in 2002. During his career, he worked on many large infrastructure projects, including the Mica Creek and 7-Mile dams in British Columbia.
Throughout his life, Garry loved spending time with his friends and family in the mountains, enjoying horses, hunting, and fishing. A supporter of youth sports, Garry coached Bradley’s hockey team, the Beaver Valley Bantam B All-Stars for several years, including winning the West Kootenay Championship in 1978. He also loved golf and gardening; he and Marian established a small garlic farm when they retired in Wyndell, BC.
In the final decades of his life, Garry lived in Lethbridge, where he stayed close to his grandchildren as they established their own families. He remained active with hobbies he loved, golfing, tending to his balcony tomatoes and working on woodworking projects.
An adventurous soul, Garry made good friends wherever he went. His unfailing laughter and kindness will be missed by all.
Garry was predeceased by his son, Bradley Norman Dyer, and three brothers: Laurae O’Dwyer, Jim Dyer, and Bob McLeod. His memory lives on with his wife, Marian, son Graham (Leora), granddaughters Emily Anne (Colten) Lumley and Hannah Grace (Michael) Dyer-Heynen, and four great-grandchildren: Fiona Grace, Wren Marian, Winter Anne, and Finn Bradley; as well as his friends and extended family, including brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the kindness and professional service rendered by so many members of Alberta’s health care services, including the staff of St. Therese Villa, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services, and the nurses, doctors, and support staff from the Chinook Regional Hospital, as well as Homecare Services.