Garry Sabo

It is with the deepest sadness that we share the sudden passing of our beloved husband and father, Garry Sabo, on June 26, 2025, at the age of 72, at St Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC.

Garry was born in Edmonton, AB on October 27, 1952 to parents Michael and Ethel Sabo.  He was raised in Edmonton until his father retired and his parents moved to Creston in 1969. Garry finished his schooling in Edmonton then joined his parents in Creston in 1970. One of Garry’s first jobs in Creston was with Tak’s Home Furnishers, driving the furniture truck and making trips back and forth to Calgary for pickups.  He thought very highly of and appreciated his boss,Tak Toyota, for the opportunities Tak made for him. Garry then worked at Valley Sports Centre in Creston, which was owned by Al Swanson.  It was here that he began his lifetime career of “twisting wrenches”.  Following that he worked in partnership for some time with his father-in-law Fred Chappell, in their business “Chasa Contracting”.  He then worked at Tompkins Equipment for Russ Tompkins for many years until the business was purchased by Ron Comfort of Comfort Welding Ltd, and Garry spent the remaining 33 years of his work life at that business, retiring as a partner in 2023. Over all those years he acquired his journeyman papers in Motorcycle, Small Engine and Marine repairs.  He was well known in the valley by his customers for his deep knowledge of motors, etc, and for his cheerful, helpful and kind personality.

Garry was an avid outdoorsman, and his passions were hunting, fishing and trapping. He loved sharing his knowledge with his family and others and spent over 40 years here in the Creston Valley as a certified CORE (Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education) instructor.  There are now adults in their 40’s and 50’s who fondly recall taking their CORE course and firearms exams with Garry for their first hunting licences. 

Garry was a dedicated family man and the center of his universe was his wife, children and grandchildren.  He met his future wife, Pamela in 1972, while she was still in high school, and they married on July 5, 1975.  They were a devoted and loving couple and raised two wonderful children, Lucas and Erin.  They were just a week away from celebrating their 50th anniversary.   Garry was the heart and soul of our family and will be forever loved and desperately missed.

Garry was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Ethel Sabo and his sister Elaine.

He is survived by his forever love, his wife Pamela, his children Lucas Sabo (Kaelynn), and his daughter Erin Prefontaine (Paul), 5 grandchildren, Evan, Hunter, Keltie, Brad & Wyatt, his sister Linda (Wally) and several nieces and nephews.  

As per Garry’s wishes a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

His family would like to express their sincere and abiding appreciation for the following people who did their best to guide us through this traumatic event with expertise but also with the utmost wonderful care and compassion:

Creston Valley Hospital and Emergency Room staff. Specifically Dr.s Bailey, Campbell and Dewan and ALL the nurses.

Ambulance paramedic attendants, Jason Deatherage and Rob.

Cranbrook Hospital ICU staff:  Dr.’s Hogins, Dodson and Jaworsky, and ALL the nurses and staff, specifically Maria, Chris and Alice.

Air Ambulance Critical Care attendants and pilot. 

St. Paul Hospital ICU, Vancouver, team of doctors, residents and staff and support: Dr. Freidman, Michal, Agnes, Ingrid, Geelas, and Claude

GF Oliver Funeral Chapel for their kindness and compassion.

Family and friends wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to:

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada

Creston Valley Hospital

Cranbrook Regional Hospital ICU

St. Paul’s Hospital ICU, Vancouver

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