Gary McKibbon passed away suddenly on May 16, 2025, at the age of 71, surrounded by his two brothers, Gord and Gregg McKibbon.
He is survived by his daughter, Emily Todd (Graeme, Silas, Saige), and son, Samuel McKibbon (Amy, Hadley), as well as his brothers Gord McKibbon (Kellie) and Gregg McKibbon (Ellie, Alexandra, Nicholas). He is also fondly remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Gary was predeceased by his parents, Harold and Margery McKibbon, and his loving wife of 46 years, Jennifer McKibbon, in July of last year.
Born on November 6, 1953, in Lorne Park, Mississauga, Ontario, Gary lived an active and adventurous life with his parents, two brothers and extended family. Weekends were spent at the family cottage at Scugog Point where Gary began his lifelong passion for sailing. Throughout high school, he further developed passions for track and field, football, and motorcycles – earning himself a reputation as a bit of a “menace” on his Norton alongside lifelong best friend, Barry Elford. After graduation, he pursued training as a forester at Sir Sanford Fleming College, where he met the love of his life, Jennifer, during a collegiate baseball game.
Together, they pursued a life together in Northwestern Ontario, moving away from their extended family. Their journey took them first to Red Lake, where they welcomed their children, then to Dryden, and finally, just before retirement, to Kenora, Ontario. Gary had a long and successful career as a forester, and ended his working years as a freelance forestry tech specializing in environmental and safety consultation. He was deeply connected to the outdoors and his family, spending countless hours making memories with his children, grandchildren, and other loved ones on sailing and boating adventures, camping weekends, hunting excursions, and many fishing trips to Hammell lake. Later in life, Gary reignited his love for motorcycle touring and Iron Butt endurance rides, often joined by his wife Jennifer and biker buddies, the “Old Guys On Bikes”. Gary and Jennifer enjoyed adventure, and travelled extensively throughout Canada, the U.S., and internationally, creating memories that spanned the globe in their years together.
Gary was charismatic, kind, and a friend to many. He was well known for his sense of humor and willingness to help anyone who needed it. He forged deep connections in Northwestern Ontario, where he made many friends and found a sense of belonging and community. Being the family man he was, he made countless road trips to visit family and loved ones in Southern Ontario, prioritizing those relationships despite the significant physical distance. Gary was admired by many and was known as a man who always had others’ best interests at heart. He was generous with his time and talents, deeply caring for his friends, family, and the communities he lived in.
In his retirement years, Gary used his woodworking and forestry skills to transform his 10-acre property overlooking Round Lake in Kenora. With the help of his wife, his son, and good friend David Plett, he built his dream home, transforming a burnt piece of land to a nature lover’s oasis in the heart of the city – a project that gave him great joy and fulfillment. Gary delighted in putting up his Round Lake Christmas Tree every November for residents in Kenora to admire over the Christmas season. Gary was also a very proud Papa to Silas, Saige, and Hadley, sharing his love of the outdoors, sense of humor, and deep affection with his three grandchildren until the day of his untimely passing.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date to accommodate the arrival of Gary’s fourth grandchild, expected in early June. If you would like to make a donation in Gary’s memory, please consider the Kenora Fellowship Centre.