Garry M. Glowacki
GLOWACKI, Garry Michael –
On January 27, 2021 the world lost, and heaven gained, an angel. Garry Michael Glowacki fought a hard battle with COVID but ultimately left us too early, surrounded virtually by his family and in the loving hands of the Guelph General Hospital ICU team.
Born on December 24, 1949 to mother Mary and father Joseph, as a child Garry often thought his name was ‘Jesus’, due to his birthdate and his mother saying ‘Jesus, Mary, and Joseph’ when she was frustrated.
Garry was always larger than life and lived as if every day was his last. His storied younger years were the kind that movies are made of. He battled some demons, overcame his addiction, and ultimately turned his life around. He would have celebrated his 30th AA birthday on February 1st.
In his later years Garry turned to a life of service. Prior to retirement he worked as the Program Director for The Bridge prison ministry. He also worked tirelessly on behalf of marginalized communities including those struggling with addictions and in recovery, incarcerated people and those struggling to re-integrate, people experiencing homelessness, and refugees.
He believed in the power of art to heal and spent his short retirement working to bring art into prisons and showcasing the talent of those he worked with.
Garry is predeceased by his mother and father, sister Joanne, and nephew Alastair. He is survived by his daughter Petunia Schmuckmier, III (known to the rest of the world as Azure), her husband John and their children Christopher and Bodhi, the apples of their Grampa’s eye. Also grieving his loss are his sisters Rosemarie (Martin) Goodman, Christine (Al) Gonyea, and Jenny (Tony) Mugford; and his nieces Nicole, Lauren, Holly, and Grace. Grieving his loss perhaps more than anyone is his adopted son Norman, the world’s most spoiled pug.
Garry livened up every room he entered with his bear like hugs and from the heart unmistakable laugh. The world is a little less bright without him in it, and heaven just got way more exciting.
Due to COVID, Memorial services will be postponed until such time that we can safely honor a man that touched the lives of so many. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hope House of Guelph, Community Justice Initiatives of Kitchener, or Regeneration Brampton.
A tree will be planted in memory of Garry M. Glowacki in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.