Gary Memorial

Sacred places of the Qu’Appelle, part I

Spring in Saskatchewan is slowly warming up. And thus, some of my favorite local places are getting possible to bike to.

Many Spring time obstacles can be in the way. Slushy snow melt. And mud. Lots of mud.

I managed to make it to the Gary Memorial last weekend for the first time in 2022. And the only Spring obstacle was a few feet of two inch deep water.

Of my sacred spots, the Gary Memorial is the closet to my house. I can bike there in 5-7 minutes. But I think few locals know of it. The fewer, the better I guess.

Maybe three years ago I stumbled across this small, hand carved cross attached to a stand, sitting on the ground, loose. It had a painted red heart in the centre with the words “In Loving Memory of Gary” engraved into it. 

Also embedded into the entire cross and hanging from its sides are small symbols and items that must have represented Gary’s identity and interests. The Canadian flag. The Metis flag. The Pittsburgh Steelers. The Montreal Canadians. Praying hands. The Ford logo. A burger. A beer.

The following year, someone (family, I assume) placed an outdoor park bench in front of the cross memorial. Nearby I found a short, stubby log about 12 inched in diameter and placed it next to the bench, like a coffee table. Surprisingly, it’s remained.

The latest addition is a walking stick with Gary’s name written on it. I think this arrived last summer.

It’s one of my places in the Qu’Appelle Valley that I can sit, undisturbed. A good meditation spot. A good place to pray. A good place to vent when my kids are nuts. 

I feel a burden lifted off my shoulders every time I arrive, around the corner from a bush patch, facing the reeds and lake shore.

I never knew Gary. But I remember well when he went missing. It was in the Fall. September, I think. Flyers were on every pegboard and business door in town. “MISSING: Gary”, followed by his description and information. He was kind of a well known guy, I guess. I believe he had a mental handicap of sorts. And he generally followed various daily routines. But I suppose one day he didn’t show up to any of his places.

I remember hearing that his body was found out in the marshes. Maybe late October or early November. Just as the snow was starting to fall.

The Gary Memorial: A burden lifting bench and quiet spot in the marshes