Obituary for Gary Sims
Gary Rudolph Sims, (middle name after his uncle Milton) was born the fourth of nine children, and the oldest of the twins on September 14, 1956, to Anna L. (nee Van Dyke) and Robert B. Sims Sr.
Having moved from Puce to Windsor, he first lived on Howard and Erie, across from the Cozy Restaurant and next to Smokies Garage. From there, he grew up on Elliot Street.
He attended Prince Edward Public School and Monarch Secondary School in Windsor. Gary was athletic, having played on Monarch’s Winning soccer team as their defenseman for 3 years in a row.
He began his career in the maintenance field, as the Head of Maintenance for the University Mall and Zellers. From there, he moved to Beatrice Milk as a truck driver delivering to the Beckers stores from here to Tilbury. Then he worked as a welder for a construction company, building high rises. His DZ license and prayer opened the door for him with the City of Windsor, where he worked for over 32+ years, before retiring.
At a concert at the University of Windsor, his cousin Lynda introduced him to her sister-in-law who would soon become his wife, Lydia Smith. Her parents, Pastor Edsel and Vivien Smith said that she had to be chaperoned for Gary to court her. Gary and Lydia were married for over 44 years, and from this union were Melissa and Jeffrey (and as Gary would say, his “Favourite Daughter-in-law in the whole wide world”, Bethany). He was Grampa to Ebony, Gabriel, Joel, Nevaeh, and Malia. And Step-Grandpa to Jaclyn and her kids, Avah, Julius, and Levi.
He was a silly and fun grampa, who liked to hide a stash of goodies in the house or under his car seat. And when Lydia wasn’t around, he would pull them out, bribe the kids “not to tell Nana”, and they would usually squeal on him anyway. Often, he would give words of advice to his grandkids, such as “What the Dickens?”, “I’ll cook your goose!”, “You want some whiskers?”, “Who wants to go to Wally World?”, “We’re gonna burn some rubber”, “I’ll take you there!”, “Up there, down there, around there”, “where’s my pitbull tamer?”, “Gotta go!”, and “By the grace of God”.
Gary loved and served the Lord. Raised in the Baptist Association, Gary was a Youth Leader at First Baptist Church Windsor. He had the gift of Helps and stepped up whenever he could. After marrying Lydia, he became a long and active member of St. Mark Evangelical Church, even driving the St. Mark’s Holy Ghost Express Bus for several years. Gary had a shouting style all his own, and could often be heard yelling “Gloooray!!!”.
He considered himself a back-alley mechanic and loved tinkering and “implovising” (improvising) where possible. He loved road trips, watching ‘Rusty78609 on YouTube, camping with his family, and was the “great hunter” and fisherman. Gary was also known for telling stories of his fantastic adventures. Sometimes, they were thought to be made up. But one of the things he really enjoyed was a good game of Chicken Foot dominoes with family and friends. He was a trash-talker and had his own lingo for the game. And finally, Gary had an ‘inspired word’ that he loved to share: “You Gotta Have The Want To!”
A cherished brother of Betty-Ann Brown, Gladys Whited, Harry (Tracey), Geraldine (Philip) Crosby, Stephen (Michelle), and Christopher (Serabeth), and brother-in-law to Leon (Dianne) Smith, Dennis (Lynda) Smith, Lorna Huff, Brenda Smith, Doris, Paul, Timothy Smith, Pamela (Tony) Handsor, and Aaron Smith. Predeceased by his brothers Robert L. Jr. (Carole), and twin Terry. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Not to mention, he will be deeply missed by all his church family in St. Mark and the Baptist Association. Gary will always be remembered as a good faithful man and father.
Having moved from Puce to Windsor, he first lived on Howard and Erie, across from the Cozy Restaurant and next to Smokies Garage. From there, he grew up on Elliot Street.
He attended Prince Edward Public School and Monarch Secondary School in Windsor. Gary was athletic, having played on Monarch’s Winning soccer team as their defenseman for 3 years in a row.
He began his career in the maintenance field, as the Head of Maintenance for the University Mall and Zellers. From there, he moved to Beatrice Milk as a truck driver delivering to the Beckers stores from here to Tilbury. Then he worked as a welder for a construction company, building high rises. His DZ license and prayer opened the door for him with the City of Windsor, where he worked for over 32+ years, before retiring.
At a concert at the University of Windsor, his cousin Lynda introduced him to her sister-in-law who would soon become his wife, Lydia Smith. Her parents, Pastor Edsel and Vivien Smith said that she had to be chaperoned for Gary to court her. Gary and Lydia were married for over 44 years, and from this union were Melissa and Jeffrey (and as Gary would say, his “Favourite Daughter-in-law in the whole wide world”, Bethany). He was Grampa to Ebony, Gabriel, Joel, Nevaeh, and Malia. And Step-Grandpa to Jaclyn and her kids, Avah, Julius, and Levi.
He was a silly and fun grampa, who liked to hide a stash of goodies in the house or under his car seat. And when Lydia wasn’t around, he would pull them out, bribe the kids “not to tell Nana”, and they would usually squeal on him anyway. Often, he would give words of advice to his grandkids, such as “What the Dickens?”, “I’ll cook your goose!”, “You want some whiskers?”, “Who wants to go to Wally World?”, “We’re gonna burn some rubber”, “I’ll take you there!”, “Up there, down there, around there”, “where’s my pitbull tamer?”, “Gotta go!”, and “By the grace of God”.
Gary loved and served the Lord. Raised in the Baptist Association, Gary was a Youth Leader at First Baptist Church Windsor. He had the gift of Helps and stepped up whenever he could. After marrying Lydia, he became a long and active member of St. Mark Evangelical Church, even driving the St. Mark’s Holy Ghost Express Bus for several years. Gary had a shouting style all his own, and could often be heard yelling “Gloooray!!!”.
He considered himself a back-alley mechanic and loved tinkering and “implovising” (improvising) where possible. He loved road trips, watching ‘Rusty78609 on YouTube, camping with his family, and was the “great hunter” and fisherman. Gary was also known for telling stories of his fantastic adventures. Sometimes, they were thought to be made up. But one of the things he really enjoyed was a good game of Chicken Foot dominoes with family and friends. He was a trash-talker and had his own lingo for the game. And finally, Gary had an ‘inspired word’ that he loved to share: “You Gotta Have The Want To!”
A cherished brother of Betty-Ann Brown, Gladys Whited, Harry (Tracey), Geraldine (Philip) Crosby, Stephen (Michelle), and Christopher (Serabeth), and brother-in-law to Leon (Dianne) Smith, Dennis (Lynda) Smith, Lorna Huff, Brenda Smith, Doris, Paul, Timothy Smith, Pamela (Tony) Handsor, and Aaron Smith. Predeceased by his brothers Robert L. Jr. (Carole), and twin Terry. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Not to mention, he will be deeply missed by all his church family in St. Mark and the Baptist Association. Gary will always be remembered as a good faithful man and father.