GARY THORNTON

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GARY THORNTON

August 29, 1945 - November 6, 2024

With broken hearts, we announce the sudden passing of Gary Thornton, beloved husband, fantastic father, exceptional Papa, highly regarded FCPA, and Blue Bombers and Winnipeg Jets super fan. Gary passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.

Gary will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by Joan, his wife of 58 years, their three children, Todd (Andrea), Troy (Tara), and Taralynn (Steve), their nine grandchildren, Shelbylynn, Keaton, Jackson, Kolby, Trent, Mackenzie, Hudson, Emma-Rae and Logan, his sister Beverly (Ken), her three children, Kimberly (Lonnie), John, and Lisa (Ed), his beloved Aunty Pat, and her two daughters, Judith and Reegan, brothers-in-law Brent (Barb) and Niles, sisters-in-law Gail (Bruce), Wendy (Don), and their families, and his two fur babies, Shemma and Gracie.

Gary met his wife Joan, whom he affectionately called “Joanie”, the love of his life, in the summer of 1963, when she and a friend were waiting at a bus stop for a bus to take them to a Saturday night dance. Gary and a car load of his baseball teammates turned their car around and offered the girls a ride. Joan got to sit in the backseat on Gary’s knee. They hit it off and remained together from that night on, navigating through life together and eventually adding three children to their own backseat.

Gary had a love for sports, in particular, baseball, hockey and football, and while he played all three from a young age, it was hockey that he truly excelled at. He went from trying out for the Spare Goalie spot on Isaac Brock’s hockey team at the age of 11, and not being able to skate, to quickly honing his net-minding skills and becoming their number one goalie. Later in his hockey career, Gary played for the Winnipeg Warriors Junior Hockey team, and went on to earn a tryout spot at Chicago’s Rookie Camp. Gary was given the nickname “Mr. Zero” for his impressive save percentage.

Gary’s academic years were spent at St. Ignatius, St. Edward, and St. Paul’s Catholic schools. He graduated from Daniel McIntyre Collegiate.

In 1964, Gary landed his first professional job as a typewriter repair technician at Olivetti Underwood. On April 29, 1966, Gary and Joan were married. Soon after, Gary’s desire to further his education became a reality and he enrolled in the Business Administration program at Red River Community College as a mature student. While still a student, Gary and Joan started a family with the birth of their first son, Todd, in 1969. Gary graduated later that same year, but decided that a Business Diploma was not enough, and he went on to enroll in the Certified General Accountant program. Gary became a CGA in 1973, followed by a Life Member in 1979, and then received the honour of a Fellowship (FCGA) in 1985. Gary’s love and knowledge of the field of taxation, and his ability to share his expertise, made him one of CGA Manitoba’s favourite lecturers in both Accounting and Tax.

While busy with his school work and lecturing, Gary and Joan expanded their family with the birth of their second son, Troy in 1971, and daughter Taralynn in 1972. As Gary’s career advanced, his dream to own his own public practice firm became a reality, when in 1975, Jim Pyper and Gary Thornton opened the doors of Pyper Thornton on Graham Avenue. The new firm was successful and went on to expand and add partners Gil Forrest and Ken Eisner. In 1983, the partnership split, and Gary went out on his own to start Thornton & Co., which he continued to run and grow until 2017 when his son Todd took a more active role in the business.

As Todd, Troy and Taralynn grew up and became involved in team sports themselves, with baseball, football and hockey for the boys and ringette for Taralynn, Gary found a new calling in life, that of coaching his children. He devoted countless hours and many years on the ice and on the field running from event to event to support his children and their many teams. When

Gary wasn’t involved as a coach, he volunteered his time as team manager. Gary positively impacted the lives of so many of the young people he coached.

After his children grew up and had children of their own, Gary picked up right where he left off and spent his entire weekends driving all over the city to try and watch as many events as possible that his nine grandchildren were involved in. Papa Gary had a vey special relationship with his grandchildren and was very involved in their lives beyond their sports teams. He was the best babysitter, often playing Monster, and hosting sleepovers, where movies and Coca Cola and popcorn, and candies and ice cream were staples at every visit.

In addition to his wife and his family, Gary was very passionate about cars, particularly classic models from the 1960s. He loved the thrill of finding them, owning them, driving them and washing and detailing them. Gary was also a music lover, particularly music from the 50s and 60s. He was a huge fan of Elvis, Dolly Parton, and Patsy Cline, to mention just a few.

Later in their lives together, Gary and Joan bought a cottage at Laclu in Ontario, followed by a winter home in Mesa AZ. Both places were very special to Gary. At the cottage he loved spending his time washing any car that needed washing, cleaning the boat, cutting the grass on his riding mower listening to his favourite music in his headphones, and visiting with his family. When his grandchildren were little, Gary loved taking them for rides in the trailer attached to the riding mower. He also loved giving all of the many family dogs their morning treats as they waited patiently for him on his doorstep. Gary enjoyed spending time going for pontoon boat rides, watching movies and Bomber games, and having morning coffees and conversations with his children and grandchildren.

In Mesa, Gary enjoyed having the ability to work while he got away from the Manitoba winters for a few months at a time. He loved golfing with his friends, walking his dogs, spending time exploring Phoenix with Joan, washing his cars, and visiting with friends and family at many dinner parties and get togethers.

Gary, Dad, Papa, you will be dearly and heartfully missed by Joanie, your family, friends, clients and fur babies.

As was Gary’s wish, cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Gary’s life and legacy will be held at The Norwood Hotel, June 9th, 2025, beginning at 2:00 pm. We kindly request that those planning to attend RSVP to tara@thorntonandco.com.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 24, 2025