Gary Leslie Downes, resident of Grande Prairie, Alberta, formerly of London, Ontario, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, in Grande Prairie at the age of 80 years.

Gary was born on July 1, 1946, in Manchester, England. He relocated to Canada on March 28, 1962, met Ellen in 1963, and they married on October 22, 1966. They later had three children: Kimberly, Gary, and Sheri.

Gary loved hunting, fishing, boating, and anything outdoors.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Ellen; his children, Kimberly (Kim Warren) Sandboe, Gary (Tracy) Downes, and Sheri (Trevor) Hansen; his grandchildren, Gary III, Tamara, Heather, Alecia, Dustin, Kayla, Brianna, Cierra, and McKenna; and numerous great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents, Les and Doris Downes.

Gary’s memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005-107 Ave). Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon in Oliver’s Tea Room. Afterward, interment will take place at the Emerson Trail Cemetery (62048 AB-672, Sexsmith, AB, T8X 4P9).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Help For Dementia (https://www.helpfordementia.ca/ways-to-give/).