LEONARD “GARTH” MCCONNELL

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Garth McConnell on Monday, October 7, 2024 at the age of 73.

Garth was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on March 2, 1951. He was a kind, humble and devoted man (Papa to his grandkids). He had a depth of character, wisdom and gentle spirit that made knowing him, living with him and working with him, a joy.

Garth enjoyed many careers throughout his life and excelled at all of them. He worked on the railroads as a younger man, moving on to drafting and teaching. His last career was as a highly skilled builder/carpenter taking on both major and minor jobs. He renovated many homes for friends and family with extreme patience and attention to detail; both functional and aesthetic. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water was a favorite masterpiece of architecture for him. 

He was also exceptionally skilled with computers, vehicles, etc. He could pretty much fix just about anything!

He was thrilled to join his sister, Connie, cycling in the 2009 Ride to Conquer Cancer. After surviving cancer, this was a huge accomplishment for him.

He loved beauty in all its forms – meeting up with deer on his walks through Assiniboine Forest, scaring the geese at Lindenwood Park, trying to hold a bird in his hand, our cats.

Road trips were frequent, many were taken to British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His travels with his son, Seth, were very special to him.

He loved the beautiful sequoia trees in California, the badlands of North Dakota, the ocean waves in Manzanillo, Mexico. Road trips took us to Pheonix, Arizona; Glacier National Park and the Road to the Sun; Disney World in Orlando, Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; golfing in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri (to name just a few!).

He loved watching the Winnipeg Jets and Blue Bombers, but his greatest enjoyment was golf!  He loved both playing and watching it. He started playing golf quite late in his life, but soon caught up to a lot of his golf mates. His obsession with finding golf balls was legendary!

Garth will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. 

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 603 Wellington Crescent; First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to CancerCare Manitoba.

Garth’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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