Obituary of DOUGLAS GARTH AGER

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved, brother, uncle, father, grandfather and life partner, Douglas “Garth” Ager on May 1 2024, after a short illness, quickly but not without a fight Garth made the mad dash to have his forever fishing season. Garth was born April 4, 1958 to John and Shirley. He was predeceased by his grandparents Edith and Earl Bottrell, Parents John and Shirley Ager, brother Pat Colins and nephew Rodmond Huska.  He leaves to mourn his passing his puppy Lillie, his children Roblyn, Danielle (Johnny), his siblings Cheryl (Dave) Huska, Loretta Hernandez and Byron Hernandez, his grandchildren Kiptyn, Paisley, Easton, Kennedy, Aubrey and Owen. To remember his many memories are his many nieces and nephews.  Garth’s heart will forever be with the woman that help fill the hole in his heart Fay. Even on his hardest day you made his face light up with such happiness and love for that we will all be truly grateful for.

Garth spent most of his childhood and adult life growing up and raising his family is Stonewall, MB, in the early 2000’s they lived in Arborg, Ashern, and Morden, MB. Garth’s proudest moments was watching his children graduate high school, and become parents themselves. The love he had for all of them was truly immeasurable. Even when he could not see them, he spoke about them with such love and adoration.

Garth’s always had a passion for working with his hands. He was quite the carpenter, anything from wood working to construction he would do it with such a passion, he build converted picnic tables to benches, to Dropbox mail boxes, to flower beds he would make a design and execute it with such detail and pride. Garth loved spending time outdoors, in the last few years he spend much of his time outside planting gardens and flowers, as well as fishing and camping whenever he could.

Garth loved to be the talk of the street when he would set up Christmas, and Halloween decorations for the kids and adults to enjoy. He always made sure there was a small treat for the neighbourhood dogs as they walked past, and he always made a friend along the way!

Garth’s love for his family was never put into question, although distance was sometimes the issue, he always found a way. A text always started with “hi honey” “hey sweetie” or “hey bud” the joke was always what do you need?

When Garth came to live with his sister Cheryl and brother-in-law Dave, he always managed to keep Dave on his toes, and even got him doing winter snow removal, which he loved doing. They were each other’s alarm clocks for the long nights during snowstorm. The best was listening to the banter of which was better CNN or Fox News. For the last few years Dave and Garth spent a lot of time doing fishing, puttering around the yard and starting small projects.  Cheryl gave them many projects, mostly yard stuff, and flower and garden building. 

Wherever Garth went his dog Lillie was not far behind, quick trips to the stores Lillie always joined. He spoiled his baby with treats, and trips to the groomers as much as he could.  He made a point at the hospital to keep plastic bottle caps for when Lillie came to visit and keep her happy while they visited. Even at the end Lillie was there to say her goodbye. Garth’s wishes was that Lillie remain in the home she knows with Cheryl and Dave and she is still very spoiled.

3 years ago Garth met Fay, and well they became stuck together, they loved to travel, and took a trip to BC together. Fay and Garth spent a lot of time camping with family and friends as well.  Although Fay never quite knew his love for Potatoes, which was the reason why he always went home for a break from rice.  He gained so much more family in his life with having been apart of Fay’s life. He adored her children, and grandchildren, as well as all of her extended friends and family. One this he wished was to have been able to meet you sooner to love you longer.

He always made sure that he had a smart comment about his sister’s birthdays and when they were. One at Christmas time, and the other at peak fishing season, and that he had to come home when the baby sister was born interrupting his fishing time.

Garth always said all of his nieces and nephews were his favourite, but his niece Belinda was his number one, being the first niece Garth and Belinda had a bond, she would put him in his place when it was needed, whether it was talking about his finances, political issues, or voting choices. They had very different views! When Belinda got married, she asked him to do the toast to the bride, he did this with such pride. He stated that he could not give a toast without grandma’s jam. Belinda asked him to do a project during covid to remodel a kitchen. It was to change flooring and ended up being a complete remodel. It came with challenges, but he survived them. She could give him crap and his answer was always “yes sweetie… love you!” Garth gave Belinda the task to complete his wishes before after he left, and he left her with some of the hard ones, and when she asked why me, he said because I know you can handle it!

Our family would like to thank Maurice Leduc, and Bill Lee for your continued support and friendship to Garth over the years, to the Grace Hospital nursing and support staff on 3S thank you for everything you did for Garth up until the end and keeping him comfortable along the way. We are truly thankful for all you do!

There will be no service as that was Garth’s last wishes, he has been cremated and will be buried at a later date in Roseisle, MB with his parents. Garth knew that there would have to be something to celebrate him, because he knows his sisters would not follow the no service rule, his family will have a small celebration to which we will invite close family and friends at a later date.

Thank you to all who loved him, sent your support, or just stopped by the house for a quick hello. Please know he loved and appreciated all of it. You kept him going even on the hard days.