Gary Shushi Tanigami of Calgary, beloved husband of Linda, father of Mark (Brittni) and Jodi and formerly of Brooks and Rosemary, passed away in Brooks on Monday, November 7th, 2016 at the age of 67 years. Born in Brooks on March 13th, 1949 Gary was raised in Rosemary and received his early education in Rosemary and post-secondary education at Mount Royal College (Calgary), Washington State University (Pullman, Washington, U.S.A.) and the University of Lethbridge, graduating with a Degree in Education, majoring in Physical Education. Gary taught school in Oyen, Eckville, Cessford, Vauxhall, Duchess, Brooks Junior High School and Brooks Sunrise School. He married Linda Corcoran on July 7th, 1979 in Brooks and resided in there, until moving to Calgary in September, 2006. Gary was devoted to his family – his children were his pride and joy. Gary was a true sports enthusiast – he loved playing, coaching, officiating and watching a very wide variety of sports. Judo was a family tradition – he achieved his black belt and started a Judo Club in Brooks. He coached Jr. and Sr. high school sports – volleyball, basketball, badminton, golf and track and field. He also coached his children in community sports such as soccer and club volleyball. Gary believed that good officials were needed to keep school sports strong and he worked as an official himself and was an assigner for the County of Newell for volleyball and basketball for many years. Gary loved his golf! He had many great memories of his Oldtimer Hockey days – both the hockey and the socializing that was a big part of it! In the last few years he enjoyed playing pool – a love of this sport began early in his youth. Gary was predeceased by his father Harry and his in-laws Cyril and Irene Corcoran. He is survived by his loving family, wife Linda of Calgary; son Mark and his wife Brittni of Brooks; daughter Jodi Tanigami of Calgary; mother Betty Tanigami of Brooks; 9 siblings, Yoko Fujimoto and her husband Nob of Rosemary, Herb Tanigami and his wife Lissa of Brooks, Aiko Sakurai and her husband Tosh of Brooks, Mayumi Bunney and her husband Lorne of Brooks, Ken Tanigami and his wife Evelyn of Lethbridge, Tia Crapo and her husband LeRon of Calgary, Tracy Tanigami of Rosemary, Lorri Muirhead and her husband Jack of Red Deer and Kelly Tanigami and his wife Shani of Brooks; 2 brothers-in-law, Doug Corcoran and his wife Virginia of Brooks and Wayne Corcoran and his wife Lynette of Mexico and numerous other family members. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, November 15th at 11:00 AM from St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Rev. Bryan K. Frank Celebrant. Interment followed at Brooks Cemetery. In memory of Gary, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to PLAN Calgary www.plancalgary.ca ,#101, 223-12 Avenue SW Calgary, Alberta T2R 0G9.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM, BROOKS, ALBERTA
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