Whether he was falling off of high steel, felling trees onto himself, crashing through brick walls (or crashing a party and meeting his future wife), tripping down staircases, pulling out another bottle of rum or coming back from the dead yelling 'I'm not ready yet!', Tipper always made an entrance and always left his mark. He was never afraid to speak his mind and, after the initial shock of meeting him wore off, this hilarious, one-of-a-kind man was loved and cherished by so many. He lived a bigger and wilder life than most and, despite the fact that he was content with the full life he'd created, he was still making more wild plans up to the end. "How about Ecuador next winter, Geri? And maybe we could fit in a week in Cuba when we get back home from Thailand and Singapore."
He will be eternally missed by his wife Geraldine, kids and grandkids - Brad, Gail, Jenna and Evan, Christene, Koca, Alex and Jamie, Lindsay, Lolito and yet-to-be-met Jelly-Bean, sisters - Cleo and Shirley as well as so many nieces, nephews, inlaws and 'outlaws'. And of course his friends, all you characters who populated his countless stories and made his life so colourful and rich.
After one of his 'hospital scares', he told us how in the darkest moment he didn't think of all the material things life had given him, he instead focused on all the people he loved, his friends and family, all of us and all of you, and in those thoughts he found total happiness and peace. So know, we were all there with him giving him comfort as he passed, just as a little bit of Tipper will always travel along with all of us who knew and loved him.
Never to do things in a simple way...and to ensure he gets in one final trip...Tipper will sneak in a couple more adventures before we get him home. You can imagine the stories he would tell about the Buddhist ceremony that will be held in his honour before he gets to leave Thailand. At his request, we won't be having a funeral, instead we'll be having a big Gary Tipping party in Ontario in a few weeks time when we can get all the Tippings gathered in one place. We will update the details as we figure them out. Please get in touch with Lindsay in the meantime for updates on the arrangements or if you want to get a message to Geri as she travels with the Big Guy and brings him home...and finally manages to get him to settle in one place!
We know how much our irreplaceable, unforgettable, never-to-be-duplicated Tipper meant to all of you, so please share your memories, love and stories (oh the stories!!) with us.
Tributes
Leave a tributeGeri:so sad to hear of Tippers passing.
Will fondly remember the last time we were together in Puerta Valarta last year. .
He dam nearly took me with him the night he came off his RUM retirement evening.
Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Doug
With love from Keitha, Kelly, Alison and Kelsey
Your loss is only shared by hundreds and hundreds of family and friends. He loved you all so very much, you were the light of his life. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. He will always remain "the Big Tipper" to us.
Your dad sounds like a very special man, and I'm sure he will be missed by all. It's nice he got to be on an adventure when he passed, and that he'll have stories to tell when he reaches his destination. Thinking of you...
Nadine
condolences to you and the family Gerri
Leave a Tribute
One of the first memories that I have of Uncle Boo, is getting Trident gum as a child. I was in awe! Wow my Uncle Boo gave me gum! And I was allowed to chew it.
Over the years I recall visiting in B.C. and then going for a ride in the Corvette in St. Albert and riding in the rag top in B.C through the mountains.
There are so many memories, but one of my proudest moments, was when Uncle Boo was in the Winnipeg hospital. He was the miracle man and stunned the Dr.s by walking out of the hospital. But before he was released, mom and I flew from Calgary to visit Uncle Boo. He asked me for the bed pan. I knew then he trusted me enough and was proud of my accomplishment of becoming a LPN by asking me to place him on the bed pan. But by stating hospital policy I was not allowed to place him on the bed pan and I advised him I would get the Nurse. He made it safely onto a bed pan. I felt that there were some things better left unwitnessed! :)
The last time I had seen Uncle Boo was when mom and I went to Ont. I had a course that I was enrolled in, but had additional days for relaxing. The last day there we all went out for supper. Uncle Boo and I were headed back to get the van to pick up the girls, (mom and Aunty Gerry) at the restaurant's front door. As we got nearer to the van, there was a bunch of young people around and there was a pungent odor emanating from around the area. I looked at Uncle Boo, not sure what he was going to say, the next words I heard shocked me. Uncle Boo stated, " Smells good boys!" I looked, the young boys looked; they smiled and offered him some, he declined. I just smiled and giggled.
I love you Uncle Boo xoxoxox
My thoughts are with you Aunty Gerry, Chris, Lindsay, Brad and your families!
I love you all.
Kathy Kennedy and family
Uncle Boo was always outspoken, and I now understand where I get it from! Say what you mean, clear, concise and to the point. You always new where you stood, and you were always loved! As much as he was gruff on the outside, he was twice as soft on the inside.
Remembering GARY
We sure had a good time growing up in Ft. Rouge Winnipeg. Always had lots of stories to talk about when he came to town. Never thought this day would come. Gary was like a ghost, never knowing when he would show up. He always called to let me know he had moved or what was his next great adventure.We went to the Gordon Bell school reunion together. He said he didn't graduate from there ,attended only one year. That didn't bother him from a good meal and dance. He enjoyed meeting up with a bunch of old school friends. Every time I am in a Casino I look around expecting to see him smiling at me.
Our thoughts are with you, Geri and Family. Wayne and Diane Johnston