Gary O'Connor

It is with profound sadness that the family of Gary announce his passing on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the age of 75. 

Gary is lovingly remembered by his loving wife of 53 years, Betty; son, Ryan and his wife Corrina; daughter, Kathleen and her husband Jose; grandchildren, Riley, Kaeli, Brody and Jennifer; as well as two great grandchildren, Atalea and Jeremiah Ezikeal; his sister, Brenda Angus; and several sisters in laws, brothers in laws, nieces and nephews. 

He is predeceased by both his parents, Irish and Ida O’Connor; his older sister, Patricia O’Connor; and numerous beloved friends.  

Gary was born on March 23, 1951 in Lethbridge, AB to Irish and Ida O’Connor. He grew up moving around Alberta with his family, as his father, Irish, worked for the United Grain Growers of Alberta. Before settling as a family in Calgary, AB. Gary had many hobbies as a child, and adolescence. He was an avid bird watcher, played baseball and learned to play piano. The family would eventually settle in Bowness, a suburb of Calgary. This is where he would meet the love of his life, Betty. Both having last names that end in O they would meet at their lockers in school which were side by side. They would then discover that they lived a block away from each other and would often walk to school together. They eventually became more then friends and would become high school sweethearts. After high school Gary went to work in the oil patch while Betty attended university. Shortly after Betty graduated the two got engaged and were married on Aug 4,1973. They bought a house close by their parents and embarked on building a family. Ryan was born in 1977 and shortly after came Kathleen in 1980. Gary worked very hard and moved his way up quickly through the oil field ranks. In 1984 Gary, Betty, Ryan and Kathleen moved from Calgary to Red Deer, AB. This is where he would build his successful company Patch H2S Services. Gary became very well known in the oil industry and for his kind heart. Always willing to help a friend out in need and support others. Loyal, funny, generous, kind, a friend, fiercely proud, smart and a hard worker. He ensured Betty, Ryan and Kathleen were never without. He also had a very adventurous spirit and spent many hours traveling and experiencing new adventures. Gary loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, wildlife, horse back riding, music and singing with his guitar around the campfire with a cold Budweiser in his hand. This love of the outdoors would bring Gary to the wilderness of the BC interior where he would purchase a beautiful untouched parcel of land that he would homestead, making it into a beautiful ranch and building Betty her dream ranch house with his own two hands. They spent many beautiful summers out at this property and had many fun and boisterous times with friends and family. Gary was a determined man and self taught in many things from playing the piano by ear, to the guitar, to becoming a master instructor. Gary would ensure that his family traveled and saw the world. As the children grew the family would travel all over the United States, Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, and even the Middle East. Gary worked hard and would instill that quality in both of his children a lasting legacy that will forever live on. Gary eventually grew his company into an international success. In the year 2000 Gary’s company went public and it eventually became HSE integrated. He and Betty continued to work for the company until his retirement, but his hard-working spirit wouldn’t remain retired long. He became a master instructor from the College of NAIT and worked as a safety instructor in the industry that he loved. He taught Leadership, H2S alive, confined space entry, high angle rescue, first aide and CPR. Many a student in the oil field passed through his classroom. He was a fantastic teacher and mentor. Many admired him.

In his later years he loved being a grandfather to Riley, Kaeli, Brody and Jennifer and great grandfather to Atalea and Jeremiah Ezikeal. Gary loved to tell stories of his adventures, depart wisdom and advice to all he loved. He was a family man, a friend and a genuinely good man. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed by all that had the pleasure to know him.

The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses of unit 24 for their kindness and care of Gary at the Red Deer Regional Hospital especially Trish, Karyn, Iris, Nitha and Marc. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bower-Kin Place 85 Boyce Street, Red Deer, AB.  

On Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 1:00 pm-4:00 pm 

“I now soar amongst the eagles, with freedom, peace, open skies ahead and God to guide me home”