GARRY CHARLES FRIESEN

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GARRY CHARLES FRIESEN On October 11, 2015, Garry Charles Friesen died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 65. Garry was born May 2, 1950, in Whitehorse, Yukon. He leaves to mourn his parents Gladys and Bert Friesen and four siblings Sharyn (Jarzombek) and husband Joe, Bradley Friesen and wife Chandra Hickling with nephew Aiden and niece Keira, Ivan Friesen, CariLyn (Buller) and husband Mark, nephews Christopher, Zachary and Luke. Garry was born with Down's Syndrome, and had a happy, almost normal, childhood. He interacted with his siblings and cousins as a "big brother", joining in with their activities and always being the tease and the "strong one" as he played with them. He was physically able and had great acrobatic skills as a young child. He attended a special school (Kindale) from age six to sixteen when he entered the workshop program at Kindale Workshop. At age 18 he contracted Guillain-Barré syndrome and was bedridden for a few years. He lived with his parents until he was 40 years old. Although Garry had lost most of his speech during his illness, he was very expressive with his gestures. He was baptized at Christian Fellowship Chapel and at coming out of the baptismal tank he plainly let the congregation know that he was aware of what went on by a clear approval gesture. At age 40, Garry moved to his new home at S.P.I.K.E. (Special People in Kildonan East) Care Home for the next 25 years. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at SPIKE Care Home who always treated Garry with respect, love and laughter during his residency there. Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Christian Fellowship Chapel, 465 Osborne Street, with viewing prior to the service. Interment to follow in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. Donations in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to S.P.I.K.E., RPO North Kildonan, P.O. Box 28029, Winnipeg MB R2G 4E9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 17, 2015