Obituary of Cyril Garlick

Cyril William Garlick

March 19, 1945 – September 1, 2023

GARLICK: Cyril William Garlick, husband to Diane, father to Deb and Jim, grandfather and great grandfather, provider, outdoorsman, shop-tinkerer, a lover of all things Shoal Lake, shortbread baker, joker, and friend, died on September 1st, 2023 surrounded by loving family. He was the eldest son born to Roy and Olive Garlick (nee Brown), in Shoal Lake on March 19, 1945.

Cyril defied time repeatedly! Stubbornly, fiercely, bravely, and without backing down. His health betrayed him when he was still a very young man, husband, and father. Over the years he was told time and time again that he didn't have much time. But Cy wasn't having it, because he was nothing if not a rebel, so whatever the doctors were telling him went in one ear and out the other, as he carried on working, hunting, fishing, building, and loving his family through thick and thin.

Chicken-pie, as he became affectionately known when his first granddaughter Sarah came along and dubbed him with that elegant title, was never happier than when he had a grandchild on his lap or when he was surrounded by the people he loved.

It didn't have to be fancy, or even any special occasion, because spending time with his family put a smile on his face...just about as much as when he would tease them mercilessly! A joke or a quip was never far from Cy's lips, keeping anyone in his company in smiles and laughter, especially around the card table.

All of which is to say Cyril made the utmost of his time here on earth. He defied the odds repeatedly not to simply say he did so or to win an invisible battle against the clock. Cyril fought health complications for decades to stay with his family, because family was everything to him.

Cyril leaves his family mourning with his departure from this life, but with a strong framework on which to continue building his beloved family that he and Diane nurtured and loved their whole lives through. Left to mourn them both, as Cyril's wife of over 56 years died just a short time before him, are children Debbie (Daryl) McCharles, Jim (Lora) Garlick, grandchildren, Chad (Dawn) McCharles, Sarah (Dan) Ferguson, Jessica (Mike) Jury, D.J. (Sydney) McCharles, Liam (Maddy) Garlick, along with 7 great grandchildren, Jacob, Amy, Bowie, Berkley, Tryss, Lawsyn, and Blayke. Brother Glen (Cheryl) Garlick, in-laws Tom (Janice) Taylor, Doug (Cindy) Taylor, Jim (Marilyn) Taylor, Shirley (John) Murray, Barb Brown as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his wife Diane, his parents Roy and Olive Garlick and mother and father-in-law Gladys and Cyril Taylor.

Debbie, Jim and family would like to thank his doctors and nurses, especially the dialysis staff at Brandon for their many years of wonderful care.

Dad ultimately died of heartbreak missing our wonderful mom, but they are together once again. We believe they are watching over us every day.

A Celebration of Cyril’s Life was held at Westminster United Church, Shoal Lake, MB on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Donations in memory of Cyril may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation – Dialysis Unit, 150 McTavish Ave. E., Brandon, MB, R7A 2B3.

Thank you Dad for all the love and beautiful memories.