Garry Palechek

Garry Palechek

Garry Palechek was born in Ponoka on October 8, 1947 and passed away suddenly on December 2, 2015. Garry grew up in Hobbema before moving to Ponoka where he attended school. Garry married Joanne Krefting on November 21, 1970 and they had two daughters - Stephanie born November 6, 1973 and Jennifer born January 2, 1976. Garry went to work with his dad at the Imperial Oil Bulk Fuel & Fertilizer Station in Ponoka and eventually took over the family business which he managed for many years. Garry also worked for Ponoka Fertilizer and Wespro Oilfield Services as well as driving bus for Hobbema Transport (from which he recently retired). His interests included curling, cars, guns (collecting and trap shooting), golfing, sailing, waterskiing, his dogs (he showed Bull Terriers), all animals, and spending time at the cabin at Pigeon Lake. Garry was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, The Knights of Columbus, and a life time member of the Ponoka Fish & Game Association. He also served on the St. Augustine School Board. Garry is survived by his wife Joanne; daughters Stephanie (Derick) Jaffray of Lethbridge and Jennifer (Blair) Bartley of Ponoka; granddaughters Kailyn and Amber Bartley; brothers and sisters Philip (Janet) Palechek of Edmonton, Patricia (Frank) Cissell of Ponoka, Dianne (Joe) Dodds of Ponoka, and Allen Palechek (Darlene Gartner) of Edmonton; long-time best friends Lennie Newton and Wayne Sondergaard; as well as many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Inez Palechek of Ponoka.

A Funeral Service to celebrate Garry’s life will be held at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ponoka on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. with the Interment Service following at Forest Home Cemetery.

Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to the Arthritis Society of Alberta or the Ponoka Wheelchair Van Society.