It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gary Howard Cronk, a beloved son, husband, father, grandpa, brother, and friend. Born on May 24, 1968, Gary grew up in Victoria, BC, with brief family relocations to Kamloops and Nanaimo before returning to Victoria in 1977 due to his father’s job transfer. Gary had an adventurous and active childhood, playing hockey and lacrosse, and developing a lifelong passion for BMX. As soon as he got his driver’s license, his love for cars blossomed.
Gary’s career began as a banquet captain and bartender at Harbour Towers in 1984 before pursuing a career in the skilled trades. Gary completed entry-level plumbing training in 1994 and earned his Red Seal certifications in both plumbing and steam fitting-pipefitting, major milestones achieved in 1998 and 2007, respectively. Over the years, he worked at UA Local 324, Victoria Shipyards, the federal government, University of Victoria and Royal Roads University. His work often took him across BC and Alberta, including Kitimat and Fort McMurray. Gary was proud of his role in building key projects such as the Royal Jubilee Hospital Patient Care Centre and the Prestige Oceanfront Resort, where his daughter, Paige, later got married.
On February 16, 1985, Gary met his high school sweetheart, Sherry, and they began a partnership that would span nearly four decades. They married on June 1, 1991, building a beautiful life together. Their greatest joy was raising their two children, Graham and Paige.
Gary found great pride and fulfillment in watching his children grow, often spending time riding BMX bikes with Graham and cheering him on at hockey games. Family camping trips across BC and Alberta for BMX races were a special part of our memories, as were the adventures of traveling with Sherry and the kids to places like Mexico, Hawaii, and California. In 2024, Gary welcomed his granddaughter, Grace, born on March 31, who brought immeasurable joy to his life.
Gary’s passion for adventure was matched by his love for spending time with family and friends. He cherished boating on Shawnigan Lake with his brother Russ, traveling to lodge events with his dad Howard, brother Ron, and brother-in-law Mark and sharing beers in his sister Colleen’s backyard. Special holiday dinners at his mom and dad’s house were among his most treasured memories. Gary was a dedicated 20-year member of Camosun Lodge No. 60 A.F. & A.M. BC & YT, where he most recently served as Junior Warden.
Gary also took immense pride in restoring his 1966 Acadian Canso, a car he purchased at the age of 19, and eventually became a member of the Pharaohs Car Club. His love for speed and adventure extended to dirt biking, which gave him endless joy. Through these passions, Gary created countless memories, surrounded by the people and hobbies he loved most.
After enduring multiple complications during a 14-month hospital stay, Gary was ultimately diagnosed with Myotonic Dystrophy. He faced this diagnosis with remarkable courage and strength. On December 5, 2024, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family.
Gary is survived by his devoted wife, Sherry; his children, Graham and Paige (Patrick); his granddaughter, Grace; his parents, Howard and Noreen; his siblings, Ron (Kathleen) and their son Riley, Russell (Shari) and their sons Liam and Logan, and Colleen (Mark) and their son Nicholas; his parents-in-law, Linda and Bill; his sister-in-law, Cindy, and her children Tyler and Kayleigh; and many extended family members and friends.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the countless doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists who cared for Gary at Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospital.
A celebration of Gary’s life will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 2:00pm (PST), in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. For those unable to attend in person, the link is below:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84607727866?pwd=QgJ89K4ByIAC7vtFR2Eo5wzzE9Wmhu.1
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Brian & Kimberly Galey
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Christine and Al Macmillan Sending love to all the Cronk’s. Much love, Christine and Al Macmillan.
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Marty Gates My sincere condolences to the whole Cronk family and extended family. Including his brothers Ron, Russ and sister Colleen, who I also knew from our BMX racing days. I have fond memories of racing and being teammates with Gary on Harvey’s Bikes BMX racing team.
Gary was a fun guy, great teammate and a kind man. He certainly will be missed.
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Jeanette, Kyle and Jayden Merrick Our condolences and prayers go out to Gary’s family and friends.
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Robin and Faith Como Our thoughts and prayers to the family with your loss of Gary. Our love and sincere condolences are with you all. Love, Robin and Faith
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Vance Smith Deepest condolences to the Cronk family. I know he will be deeply missed. Rest in peace brother.
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Robert Clemenhagen So sorry to hear about Gary. It is hard to imagine the death of a child.The car community and your fellow BCBC workers send Howie and family our deepest sympathy.
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Maxim-Evan Chouinard My Condolences to Ron Cronk and family and all affected..
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Ally Flynn Sherry,
I am so sorry for your loss. Sincere condolences to you and your family.
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Maria Hla Tin Dear Paige,
I am very sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.Maria
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Karen & Chris Klein Galbraith Colleen, My deepest condolences to you and the entire Cronk family. Holding you in our hearts, sending love and strength during this incredibly difficult time. Colleen it was wonderful to read about your brother, he sounds like he really lived life to the fullest. Cherish the memories. xo
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Cindy vadnais Thinking of you all at this time of loss. He is now at peace and no longer suffering.
All our love,
Cindy and Pete
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Cindy Sherry, Graham, Paige and the Cronk Family,
With great sadness I write Rest in Peace Gary. You will be sorely missed. With your passing we have a large void in our family.
Please know you are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
We are sending love and strength.
Take good care,
Love to all,
Cindy, Tyler and Kayleigh
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Steve Griffiths To the Cronk family. So sorry to read about Gary’s passing on facebook this morning. I had no idea he had been sick.
We worked together in the plumbing and pipefitting trade for years. All over Victoria and Alberta.
He was always happy and a good tradesman. Keep on cruising Gary and rest in peace.
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Pat and Bob Russell We know that you are blessed with wonderful memories of Gary. May it be soon that they can ease the pain of your loss.
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Danny Vales My heartfelt condolences to Brother Gary and his family & friends. May he R.I.P.
Very sorry for your loss Brethren Howie, Ron, & Mark.
Much Love!
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Marjorie Fenwick My Condolences to all of Gary’s family. Such good memories when all our boys where growing up.
Such great memories we hold deep in our hearts.
Gary went way to young. He got to see his first Grandchild. What a blessing.
You will never be forgotten Gary. Rest in peace.
The love is out there for a good man.
Many years a Neighbor and Friend.
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Andrew de Cunha Dear Cronks, sincere condolences. Such a tragedy for everyone. It hurts so much to lose people, but I always try and focus more on all the happy times we shared instead of the loss. Either way it is such a bitter pill. As a fellow parent i can only imagine how this magnifies the greif. I hope your family gets to finally heal over Gary’s passing. Who doesn’t love a Chevy guy? Lots of love Andrew d
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Rick and Nancy Chan Our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the whole Cronk family. May you find comfort in each other to get through this very difficult time. Gary will forever be remembered through all the love you shared with him.
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Fiona Talbot What a wonderful obituary. Graham you look so much like your father. I am thinking of you at this difficult time wondering what I can do to help. This is part of a poem
When your father dies, say the Irish,
you lose your umbrella against bad weather.
May his sun be your light, say the Armenians.When your father dies, say the Welsh,
you sink a foot deeper into the earth.
May you inherit his light, say the Armenians.When your father dies, say the Canadians,
you run out of excuses. May you inherit
his sun, say the Armenians.When your father dies, say the French,
you become your own father.
May you stand up in his light, say the Armenians.
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Daryl Foster So sorry for to hear of Gary’s passing. Fond memories of high school and beaver lake and Cordova bay parties, and crossing paths with Gary. He was truly a kind soul.
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Julie Shaver I have a few memories of Gary pre-Sherry when he used to be at my house hanging out with my older brother Jay. I recall one particular time when they were shooting a BB gun; this may or may not have resulted in my neighbours car window having a mysterious hole in it. Lol! Most of my memories are of the dynamic duo of Gary & Sherry back when they were teenagers. Two beautiful souls that managed to find one another so early in life. I remember Gary as kind, smiley and always riding around Broadmead on his BMX bike (that is, until his car obsession started). Sherry, Colleen, Russ and all of Gary’s family – I can’t imagine your heartbreak. This must feel so terribly senseless, and I’m very sorry for the hole this leaves in your lives. Wrapping you all in a big giant hug.
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Todd Fenwick I grew up with Gary. We terrorized our neighborhood. Building tree houses, making go-carts, bmx, dirt bomb fights, trick or treating, nicky nine doors, climbing xmas hill, fun city, fist fights , and our most fun a kiss cover band (Air band) sold tickets to kids in the hood. The memories will never be forgot and neither will Garry! Love ya Buddy!! Rest Easy!
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Michael Gains My condolences to Gary’s family and friends. May he R.I.P.
and Howie, Ron and Mark heal over time.
Very sorry for your loss!Mike Gains
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Kathy Heyd Karren Carver. Don Heyd Jr Howard and Noreen
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
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Larry Zilinsky I only met Gary once but heard a lot of good things about him through his Dad Howie because we were “car guys”. Very sad that he was taken way too soon. My condolences to his large family, I know he’ll be missed by everyone who knew him . RIP Gary .
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Michelle Loveless Paige, I’m so sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family.
Michelle
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Renee Thinking of you Sherry and family. You are all amazing humans and have been through such a hard journey. I hope that you continue to share all the great stories and hang on to the incredible memories you have of the life you all built together.
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Barbara and Lou Fekete Sherry
Our condolences to you and the whole Cronk family. Gary’s legacy will live on through Graham, Paige and little Grace. We hope the memories will help you all through this difficult time.Barb and Lou Fekete
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Nikolic family Our deepest condolences on Gary’s passing. Sherri, Graham, Paige, and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Gary was a kind and generous friend to all. our family has such great memories of our time in the neighborhood, with BMX, and also connecting through car shows later on. We are so very sorry for your loss. Nikolic Family in Victoria.
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Doug Lumley A Good man taken from the family way too early…..Rest in Peace my cousin Gary….Keep on Cruising in the Heavens….xoxoxoox
Doug Lumley and Family
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Kevin & Cindy Warren Cindy & I were saddened to hear of Gary’s recent passing. We take solace in his legacy of his wonderful family that we’ve been blessed to get to know when children were joined in marriage. We send you our heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers for you and the family.
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Lisa Banner Sorry to hear about Gary’s passing. Many fond memories from BMX days. My sincere condolences
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Glen Bridarolli So terribly sorry your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. Glen, Shelley, Samuel, Ariella and Lorna. May God Bless you all and keep you safe.
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Erin Best My deepest condolences to the entire family. Words can not begin to heal your hearts but know that you are in ours
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Andrea J Lee Sherry – I haven’t seen you in so many years but I remember you and Gary so well of course. I am so very sorry to hear this news about Gary and I’m thinking about you and your family. When I think of Gary now I remember his big, friendly smile. Wishing you peace and comfort.
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Fred Havekotte Sorry for your loss, Gary was a great guy, his loss is being felt across the team here at RRU. R.I.P. our friend.
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Sylvia Haftner Sherry I am so sorry to hear this sad news.
Please accept my love and condolences to you and your family.
Love Sylvia
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Aunty Lorraine and Uncle Gary. Our sincere condolences to Gary’s family. He will be missed.
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Dana Edwards My heart felt condolences to you, Graham and Paige as well as the rest of his family and friends.
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Bob Warren Paige.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our condolences to you and your family
Dawn and Bob
Very sad to learn of Gary s passing. So sorry to Sherri.