GARRY MCDONALD STEARNS

June 24th, 1936 – September 29th, 2026

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Garry McDonald Stearns aged 90 years of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026.  He was predeceased by his sister, Donna Warman; brothers, Merle Stearns and Dale Stearns; and his beloved son, Lee Stearns.  

Garry was born Armley, SK to Jay and Jean Stearns.  He grew up in Rossland, BC where he spent his childhood and teenage years, and completed his grade 12 there.  He had many jobs as a teen, including forestry and mining.  Gary met his wife Bernadene in Rossland.  After marrying Bernie on March 15th, 1958, they decided to move to Moose Jaw where Gary took up hairdressing at the Artistique Beauty Salon.  He trained in Moose Jaw and eventually trained in Rochester, New York.  After his training he opened his own beauty salon, Select Coiffures in the Town & Country Mall in Moose Jaw.  He was a hairdresser for 56 years!  

Garry and Bernie had three children: Jody, Lee and Vicki.  Gary loved family life and lived for adventures with his children.  Whatever his kids were interested in, he was right there alongside them, sharing in their excitement and making their interests his own.  From skiing and boating, to gardening and woodworking, he loved learning, doing and experiencing things with his family.  In the winter, Garry took the kids skiing every Sunday at White Track.  Eventually this led to organized ski trips with family and friends to various different mountains all around North America.  

Garry and Bernie also loved to travel!  Road tripping everywhere in Canada and the USA, and traveling to Spain, France, Germany, and visiting many European cities.  He always told of his travels to whoever gave a listening ear.  

Garry loved to imagine and create.  He built his beloved cabin out at Buffalo Pound Lake in 1985, and this is where Gary, Bernie and their children would spend the summers.  He loved the lake.  It was his sanctuary.  He was even known to swim across the lake from time to time.  Eventually Gary and Bernie would have several grandchildren, and those children would spend their summers there as well, picking raspberries, going to the beach, boating, playing hide and seek, and swimming in the pool he built for them.  They can still hear him say “KEEP THE WATER IN THE POOL!”  These are a few memories they will always cherish about their grandpa.  

In Garry’s later years, he lived a quiet life with his wife.  They welcomed 12 great-grandchildren with open arms to their life of adventures and creativity.  To say that Garry will be missed is an understatement.  

Garry will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Bernie; daughters, Jody and Vicki (Mark); daughter-in-law, Donna; grandchildren: Jennifer, Kevin (Connie), Megan (Mike), Nikki (Adam), Dustin (Brittany), Matthew, and Samara (Kristian); great-grandchildren: Emi, Liam, Dylan, Freyja, Eden, Keaton, Indie, Kade, Millie, Juniper, Domenic, and Raya; as well as numerous family and friends.

Bernie would also like to thank the caring staff at Pioneer Lodge.  Thank you for looking after and caring for Garry in the last 6 months of his life.  Your kindness will never be forgotten.  

Garry was a humble man who valued the simple things in life, and a large, formal funeral was never something he would have wanted.  In keeping with his wishes, his family will gather privately to remember, honour, and celebrate his life.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Garry’s name may be made to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 55 Diefenbaker Drive, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 0C2.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550