Gary Henry Cortus passed away on November 7, 2024, at the farm near Stranraer, SK where he was raised. He was 74 years.

Gary was born July 6, 1950 to Henry and Annie Cortus, and the older brother to Sonja. He was proud of his Queen’s Scout honor. Gary graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1972 with an agriculture degree and married his lifelong love Debby later that year. After a brief stint in Edmonton, they moved to Swift Current in 1973 and North Battleford in 1985. He spent most of his career working for the provincial agriculture department, managing land and pastures, and making life-long friends. While raising their three boys, Gary took an active role in Scout leadership, Gun Safety training, and Snowmobile Club. He dedicated a lot of time to serving local organizations like the Battlefords Wildlife Federation and North Battleford Legion. They traveled near and far to cheer on their grandkids in hockey, football, baseball, dance and Scouts. Always the life of the party, he could always be heard from across a hall, even though in later years he could barely hear the person across the table!

Farm, family and friends were everything to him, and they called many places “home”. Their North Battleford home was the place of many gatherings – it was amazing how many shoes could fit in a 5 ft x 5 ft landing. Throughout his life, he maintained a connection to the family farm and it became their second home after his parents passed. Since 2001, Gary and Debby spent the winter months at Mesa Regal Resort in Arizona in their home on wheels, and more recently parked their camper at Jackfish Lake during the summers. Always on the move, Gary and Debby traveled a lot with family and friends. Ski and snowmobile trips, Disneyland, Nashville, San Francisco, New Orleans and Hawaii, just to name a few, were some of the many destinations made richer by the people they traveled with. Since Debby’s passing in January, Gary was able to cross Alaska and Europe off his bucket list and he seemed rejuvenated by these experiences.

Gary’s motto was “Life is good”, and he lived his life to the fullest. Left to remember his love and carry on the story-telling tradition are sons Dean (Kali) and Scott (Erin); grandchildren Jakeb, Sophia, Cole and Chase; His sister Sonja (Chris) Olson; and several nieces, nephews, and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife Debby; their son, Brett; and parents Henry and Annie Cortus.

A Celebration of Life Come and Go will take place on Saturday, December 28, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. held at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 70 1352 100th St North Battleford, SK.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Royal Canadian Legion 1352 100 St, North Battleford, SK S9A 0V8

Condolences for the family can be made at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium – Trevor Watts Funeral Director.