Gary Arthur Pharness
July 19, 1943 ~ May 6, 2011
On May 6, 2011 Gary Arthur Pharness, our beloved husband, father and grandfather, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 67.
Gary was born in Spokane Washington and attended school in Spokane and Deer Park Washington, graduating in 1961. He then travelled the US, visiting all the interesting places he had read about in books. Upon returning home he began his teaching career working with learning disabled children in Spokane. On June 4, 1966 he married Linda Calahan. Within the next two years, they welcomed the arrival of a daughter, Angela and son, Christan.
In 1972 he brought his young family to the Creston Valley and began working with the Lower Kootenay Nation. In 1985 he was offered employment with the Surrey School Board where he taught literacy. He became a workplace literacy consultant for the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver School Board in1989. He retired from both in July, 2008.
Moving back to his favourite place on the planet (the valley) he started his new career as an artist and gardener. He was happiest being with family or exploring the mountains behind his home in Wynndel. Throughout his life he was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Gary was predeceased by his father, Leslie Pharness and his mother, Sylvia Wing.
He is survived by his wife Linda Calahan; daughter Angela Pharness; son Christan (Reina) Pharness; grandchildren Sophie, Ivy, Cale, and Aaron; sisters Sandi (Mike) Hemken and Lynda (Tim) Marsh; nieces, nephews and many cousins
Gary was a born facilitator of learning and everyone he met was a potential learner. His passion in life was to encourage everyone to find their voice through reading and writing.
Gary’s family is establishing a scholarship in his name. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the scholarship fund at the Creston and District Credit Union.