PRIEST, GARY RICHARD

Gary Richard Priest left this world peacefully and is now in Heaven ‘making noise and sawdust’ because they needed a new bench, with his wife of 33 years, Jean, and daughter Heather by his bedside, at Campbell House Hospice in his 80th year after a long fight with Pemphigus Vulgaris (a dreadful autoimmune disease) on December 27 , 2021. Predeceased by his parents Gerald and Estelle Priest and his brother Bruce and sister-in-law Judy Campbell. Left to mourn his death are Jean, his daughters Elaine Priest, Wendy Hodson (Steven) and Heather Reiche and his step-children Erin Gibson (Shawn) and Cameron Archer (Lyssa). He also leaves behind grandchildren Tiffany Reiche, Nicholas Reiche (Rebecca), Amanda Priest, Sydney Leury (Quinn), Ryan Hodson, Jack Hodson, Elliot Gibson and Hudson Gibson. Also great grandchildren Kendra Reiche, Wyatt Reiche and Hugh Leury. His brothers Ross (Susan) and Garth and brother-in-law Brian Campbell. He will be forever missed by his best friend Oscar. He was also a great cheerleader for Elliot’s and Hudson’s baseball and soccer games, and with the pandemic, he truly missed these games.

Special thanks to the Drs and Nurses of Collingwood General & Marine Hospital and Campbell House Hospice for the compassionate care over the last few weeks.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring of 2022. His ashes will be spread at the beloved family cottage in the Laurentians, north of Montreal. In the meantime, if so inclined, raise a glass of single malt scotch, or your favourite beverage, to him.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made directly to the Campbell House Hospice (hospicegeorgiantriangle.com), Collingwood General & Marine Hospital Building Fund (cgmhf.com) or Wyevale United Church (846 County Rd. 6 S., Tiny, ON L0L2T0).