Gary Walter Fedori

Gary Fedori passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at home on Monday, January 20, 2025, at the age of 69 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 18 years, Laura; sisters Kathryn 'Kathy' L Fedori, Marianne Fedori (Paul Gemmel); nieces and nephews, Spencer Buck (Annie), and their children Madalyn & Parker; Julian Buck (Kelsey); Mallory Gemmel (Steve Coe); Paul Gemmel Jr. (Christal Barrett) and family; Jamie Gemmel and family; Laura's children Cassandra Whitelaw (Jason) and their children Zachary & Lily; and Charlie Hojnik (Hillary Fraser); cousins, including his closest cousin, Michael Chorney; and family and friends. He was predeceased by parents Walter & Stella Fedori, brother-in-law Rick Buck, uncles and aunts, ‘Sonny’ Chorney & Alice Chorney, Irene & Nick Slobojan, Mary Chorney.

Gary was born in Port Arthur, Ontario. In 1957, the family moved west to Edmonton and then Calgary (1958 to Cambrian Heights and 1966 to University Heights). Calgary remained his lifelong home. He attended Queen Elizabeth High School, where Gary was a strong player and letterman on The Knights Senior Football team, a coach of the jr. boys’ basketball team and served on student council. At the University of Calgary, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. He worked at McMahon Stadium with the Stampeders, on the grounds crew, occasionally appearing on TV with the famous touchdown horse. 

Gary’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to putting his customers first led him to thrive in business. Like his father, selling was in Gary’s blood; he had sold collectibles at flea markets, go-karts, and started a t-shirt printing company with lifelong friend, Ed Moore. Gary worked in the wholesale furniture business with his dad W.E (Walt) Fedori at Fedori Agencies, and then went solo with his own company, Pro-Ex, as a broker of industrial equipment. Gary was a collector of rare neon signs, historic cinematic equipment, slot machines and telephones from times gone by. If there was something broken, Gary tried to fix it. Gary was a devoted caregiver to his dear mother, Stella, as well as a good companion to many seniors, and the family videographer of special occasions. 

Gary was known for his kind loyalty. Gary loved dogs. He met the love of his life, Laura, through their joint love of dogs. He became ‘a dad’, with Laura, to their rescue dog, Sponge Toffee, and even took in Kathy’s dog Munch to help his sister. Gary travelled with Laura, to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, exploring the flea markets of Long Beach and Fairfax, playing the slots, creating a new bar drink (his favorite spiced rum and coke with Baileys). He loved the buffets and sharing his know how of ‘found objects”, which landed them on an episode of Pawn Stars. They enjoyed visiting Alice and Sonny in Florida. Summers at Lake Shebandowan with his Thunder Bay cousins held a special place in his heart.

His nephews, nieces, grandniece and grandnephew, and grandchildren were a source of pride, although he insisted on being called, ‘Grumpa’. He loved to find silly nicknames for dogs and family members like Sponge, Gump and Speeze. Gary was the biggest fan at Julian and Spencer’s hockey games through the years as well as Mallory’s figure skating. Gary, a good brother, uncle, friend and neighbour to many, lived for his beloved Laura … and everyone’s dogs. 

A Funeral Service is at Pierson's Forest Lawn Chapel (4121 - 17 Avenue SE, Calgary) on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 2:00 pm. THose wishing to watch the livestream of the service may do so at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84506115217. Donations to Gary's memory to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary www.yamnuskawolfdogsanctuary.com.