Gary Keith Mason
Posted Oct 7, 2021 | 4:11 PM by CookSFC
Gary Keith Mason
November 18, 1942 – October 3, 2021
On October 3rd, Gary Mason, known to many as “Dad or Poppa”, passed into glory surrounded by his loved ones as they shared a couple of his favourite scriptures and sang two songs that were dear to his heart. He gazed lovingly in the eyes of his beloved wife, Diana, while the family sang Amazing Grace. When the last words of the chorus from The Blessing were sang, he peacefully took his last breath. Gary was just shy of 79 years old.
Gary was born on November 18th, 1942, to Carl Keith & Suoma (Finnila) Mason. He was one of four children along with Tracy (Wilhelmine), Judy (Dan), and Larry (Cathie). Gary was raised by both of his parents until 1955 when he lost his dad in a mining accident. During those first 13 years of his life, he learned a lot from his father as they built three family homes in Sudbury and three family cottages at Fairbanks Lake. This is where Gary’s “jack of all trade” abilities began. Gary spoke often of his days clearing the bush to create a roadway or taking the raft with supplies across the lake. He was often found taking things apart to try to figure out how they went together. His mother, Sue, known to her grandchildren as Mummo, told many stories of the mischief he would get into as a young boy. The loss of his father at a young age was difficult on him but he found great joy on the basketball court as a King Guard with his local high school team, Sheridan Tech Blue Devils. His mother became the steady anchor in his life as she worked to raise four children on her own in a time that was difficult for women to be alone without a male figure in the home.
After graduating, Gary moved to Toronto where he joined the Toronto Police for three years. During this time, he won a sharpshooter award and helped establish the Toronto police basketball team. Gary often shared stories of some of his encounters while on the force with a twist of humour attached to each story.
Gary met his wife of 57 years, Diana (Godfrey) at a church youth BBQ in 1963 and he went on to marry his “Angel” on September 19, 1964. Three children were born from their union, Baby Girl, Laura Lee (Mike) and Gary Jr (Beth).
After the loss of his first child, he decided to join the Toronto Hydro as a lineman. He loved being on the Hydro, often bringing home glass insulators of all sorts to show his children. During these years Gary struggled with alcohol and his wife began to pray, asking God to help him. The day came in 1974 when Gary cried out to God to be his Lord and Saviour. At that moment in time Gary’s life changed. The desire for alcohol left and his commitment to have others come to know this new love that filled his heart began to beat. The heartbeat grew stronger until he heard the Lord speak to him in 1980 to move out west to Regina, Saskatchewan and enter the ministry. After training for two years, they established their first church in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan.
The next 32 years brought a lifetime of adventures and relationship building as he and Diana ministered throughout Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Alberta until he officially retired in Redcliff, Alberta in 2013. The local church was a deep passion of his heart. He believed fully in investing into people’s lives not just on Sunday morning but everyday of the week. During the weekdays it was not uncommon to not find him at the church office. He would be out giving someone a ride, helping with harvest, building a fence, or fixing something with his favourite tools of the trade found in his toolbox – epoxy, electrical tape, or one of many other gadgets he had created or saved in the toolbox. His years in ministry and his great ability to hold people in his heart resulted in an ever-increasing extended family.
Two highlights in ministry came when he was able to go on mission trips to Russia and Africa. His heart opened even more to the love of God as he heard the heart stories of local people. He found great joy seeing the Lord touch peoples lives in simple and profound ways. Gary didn’t just keep his mission trips to preaching and teaching. He could be found once again looking for ways to assist in the daily lives of the people he encountered, like building a foundation for a church or any other practical task that was needed.
During all these years Gary always found time for the deepest treasures here on earth – his children; his seven grandchildren, Amanda (Greg), Michael (Candi), Melissa (Scott), David, Jesse, Josiah and Matthew; and his seven great grandchildren, Kyla, Zoey, Rider, Weston, Brielle, Jamie and Riley. He was a constant presence in their lives attending Christmas concerts, track and field days, dance recitals, and who can forget the countless trips to Dairy Queen, just because. He spent his holidays going back east, keeping those family ties close to his heart. Gary lived a life valuing relationship over religion or being right. Except for when it came to driving! His road rage reminded us he was still human, and no one could drive as good as he.
If you are reading this, then Gary’s life has likely impacted yours, but none have been more impacted than his wife and his immediate family. Gary’s family would not be the people they are today without the influence of seeing this man walk a life of integrity and unconditional love. He will be missed greatly but his legacy continues in us, in lives lived by faith, love and grace.
For anyone who wishes to attend Gary’s interment, it will be held at Redcliff Cemetery on October 15th at 1:30 pm. Due to covid restrictions, we will be livestreaming Gary’s celebration of life at Medicine Hat Family Church at 3 pm with his immediate family and church family in attendance. Others who wish to attend are welcome, but please understand we will have to limit the numbers of attendees if need be. Those who wish to watch the livestream can select the following link https://youtu.be/gpEPy5hoVU4 or visit the Medicine Hat Family Church YouTube Channel at service time. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone: 403-527-6455 or toll free at: 1-877-528-6455.
- Date : 2021-10-03
- Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta