Dunn, Garr
Dunn, Garr
October 17, 1944 - January 18, 2021
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share news of the passing of a loved and respected man.
Husband, father, educator, volunteer, union man, car enthusiast, collector, tinkerer. All of those describe Garr. For most who knew him, he was simply a good friend. He was a man of many passions, who never shied away from his convictions and who found joy throughout his life in doing for others.
Garr died comfortably at his Cambridge home on Monday, Jan. 18, with Jeanne, his wife of 19 years (after 14 years of dating) at his side. He was 76. Predeceased by his mother, Francis Fuller Dunn of Stratford, he leaves behind, in addition to Jeanne (Fear Kenney), his sons Kristopher Kenney (Allanah) of Guelph and Jeffrey Kenney of Kitchener and members of Jeanne’s family in Ontario and beyond. Sorely missed at home by the family dog, Jaz.
Garr grew up mostly in Stratford, starting to take after-school jobs at 14. After completing teacher’s college in Guelph he taught at schools in New Liskeard and Kitchener before finding his place at Galt Collegiate Institute, where he spent 25 years before retiring in 2002. He later delighted in recounting the post-graduation success of his students and was always thrilled when they approached him in the community to say hi and chat. For many years Garr was also employed as a stagehand at the Stratford Festival. In retirement he did volunteer work driving trucks for the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank and driving a bus for St Luke’s Place .
Garr loved spending time with his closest friends, sharing stories and laughs, road trips, music, cold beers, and the sunsets and sunrises of Grand Bend and Ormond Beach. His friends meant the most to him, especially Johnny and Neil in Stratford, and the many former students who remained in his life to the end.
In lieu of flowers or donations, Garr would want you to phone your own friends and neighbours, to see if they need a hand. A celebration of his life will be held when the fates allow.
