Garry Orville Bjornerud, a loving father and proud grandfather, passed away suddenly on Tuesday May 18th, 2021.
Garry was born in Rose Valley, Saskatchewan on December 8th, 1952 to Bonnie and Vernon Bjornerud. About his childhood, he would speak fondly of riding horses bareback at his uncle’s farm in Saltcoats and fishing at Meadow Lake. He graduated from Jasper Place High School in Edmonton (AB) while working as a Page Boy at the Alberta Legislature. He loved riding motorcycles in his teens and never tired of seeing a ’67 Mustang. In 1976, he married a barefoot Rhonda (Coghill) Bjornerud in the living room of her parents’ house and honeymooned in Hawaii.
Garry was a consummate optimist, pursuing many careers, always with a new idea about how to make a dollar. He worked as a brakeman for CN on the rail line to Jasper but soon found his true passion as an entrepreneur. Pizza restaurants, lounges, and many years as a General Manager for Ford would follow during which time Gary’s solution to every problem always seemed to begin with “I’ll make you a deal”. Those who knew him knew his love for golf. He dreamed of playing on the Old Course at St Andrews but would have settled for Augusta, Georgia. Garry shared his love of sports with his community, volunteering hundreds of hours coaching hockey and serving on various sports boards and committees in the Bon Accord and Fort Saskatchewan areas.
Gary is survived by his wife Rhonda, two children, Ben (Tina) and Kristin (Blair), two grandchildren, Brady (11) and Lucy (6), Mother-in-law (Lou Coghill), brother Larry, and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his youngest bother Ken, sister Fay, and his beloved Jack Russell Monty.
Much too soon, Rest in Peace, Dad
No services will be held at this time. Please send any flowers or condolences to: Ben Bjornerud 459 Madison Oaks Dr. Madison, MS USA 39110. Garry loved helping local underprivileged kids, therefore donations “In Memory of Garry Bjornerud” are gratefully accepted by the Boys and Girls Club of Fort Saskatchewan by contacting Wendy Serink (780) 992-0405.
Serenity Funeral Service-Fort Saskatchewan-780-998-1422
Tribute wall - a place to share your memories and condolences
Kyle
You were a leader bro thanks for everything!
Ted & Diana Koczka
You have our deepest sympathy.
Gary put a very high value on his children, grandchildren
and his relationships.
He really cared about people , especially if you shared his
Passion for golf.
He will be missed. Rest In Peace
Ted & Diana