Garry Locke – December 31, 1965 to November 16, 2012
Beset with numerous physical aliments, including a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis in his late 20s, Garry was nevertheless a happy go lucky guy with a friendly, sweet personality. Everyone who knew him remembers his caring, humour and dedication to his volunteer ‘families’, including the Shuswap Community Living Association, Shuswap Family Daycare and Churches Thrift Store. His practical jokes were legendary.
A special child, Leonard Garry Locke was born in Langley in 1965 and moved to Salmon Arm with his parents, Bernice and Leonard Locke, in 1990. When his Mom & Dad moved back to Langley in 1994, Garry elected to stay in Salmon Arm, living with Peter Kuzek and his family for the next 19 years.
Garry loved hockey, and never missed a Salmon Arm Silverbacks game if he could help it. Upon his death in November of 2012, he was paid a tribute by the game’s announcer, and accorded a minute of silence out of respect for his long-time support of the team.
Strong in the Christian faith, he was an inspiration to many throughout the community, and demonstrated daily how to live with grace, humour, love and compassion for others. As noted in his obituary, Garry did indeed make the world a better place.
In lasting remembrance of Garry’s life and achievements, his family have opened the Garry Locke Endowment Fund with Shuswap Community Foundation. The fund is open to contributions from anyone who wishes to support mentally and physically-challenged people in the Shuswap. When the fund has accumulated $10,000, the interest earned will be disbursed as grants to charitable organizations which focus on providing education, training, support or assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities.
