This beautiful man taught all of us how to love.

JoAnne Burke Dinney Hodgins

Cheers Gar. Thank you for sharing your life with so many of us.

Well Gar it is sad to know I won’t be able to see you anymore but I know you lived life to it’s fullest. Know you will be missed and were loved by everyone. Cheers to you cuz we will raise a glass to you. Hug everyone who was there to greet you at the gates especially my dad and my mom. I will cherish every moment you were in my life.
Love you cuz.
Brad, Tina Ankers and family

To the Penhale family and friends. I am sorry to read of Gar’s passing. Gar’s bar and grill had many stories. A family member worked for Gar and he always protected her and saw her to her car at the end of the night ,a true gentleman. So many friends will miss him and he had a ton of them. RIP Gar in heaven and show them how you can guzzle two beers in 5 seconds!

RIP old friend. Many memories of Gar as a baby sitter, showing me his first motorcycle, membership in the HCGRA to numerous good times at Gars bar. These memories will always live on with us

Godspeed Gar!

Fond memories of our group of knuckleheads riding our bikes to West Virginia for an epic white water rafting adventure, and of course, about 25 “Really Good Friday’s”…you started a great tradition in our community. ☮️

Rip peace Gar will have drink of Jack and coke in your honor

What can I say that wasnt already said in this obit! Wow..well put! He was a gem. Truly glad to have know and worked for him. Kind, generous and full of spirit! I will raise a glass to you today my friend! Until we meet again..Rest in the sweetest peace Gar! Cheers!

Thanks for your friendship, you touched many hearts. Prayers to all.
Julie Ritchie

I will miss you Cuz! We’ve lost a great man who was one of the kindest sweetest and caring people you will ever have know! Many great memories I will keep with me forever. Growing up I always wanted to go to uncle Toms and Aunt Marion’s. You were so funny and so much fun to be around. I will miss you dearly RIP Gar. You sure deserve it! XO

To my friend Gar………so many laughs and great times! Cheers mate

Gar RIP my friend.

Jeff Borland

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Gar’s family, friends and acquisitions. You will be missed Gar🙏🙏🙏

Karn Durdin and Don Thornton

RIP Gar

You brought the whole town together with a common love for what you created. No one ever had a bad time at your place. Thanks for the memories & and all of the great times .

Donnie & Jodie

Gar,,,
What a extraordinary true friendship you gave to so many,,,you taught us all what kindness and love was all about,,you taught me in these many months your strength to keep me going through this journey of ours together ,,we listen we cried and laughed, alot,,,,,😉we grew a friendship like no other!!!
You made me a better person Gar,
So fly high my friend,,l will miss you deeply,,but you made this world of ours a better place!!💝

Thanks for 65 years of friendship and a million stories. I know you always said that anything over 35 was a bonus,but this still seems too soon.

My dear friend, I will always feel honoured to be a part of your very big life, and your Gars Bar family.
Sending hugs to your sisters and your many, many loved ones.

‘Till we meet again,
Cheers,
Erin

Gar, I want to thank you for allowing me to be by your side these last couple months. It was truly an honour and a privilege to know you.

You were one of a kind, with your quick wit, your humour, and a personality that could never be replaced. Listening to the stories you have shared with me , I now understand why you kept telling me how shocked you were to make it to 70, you had a wild ride my friend.

Even in the hardest moments, you were still Gar, and that is something I will always remember.

Being there with you was something I will carry in my heart forever. Thank you for trusting me to be there, for allowing me to share this time with you, and for giving me the opportunity to say goodbye.

I hope the Jack and Cokes are cold, the fishing is great, and your beloved dog Max was there to greet you. ❤️

Cheers 💙🍻

To Gar’s family & friends

So sad to hear of Gar passing. We all have unique memories of the good times we shared with him
RIP

You were a good friend to me and so many others brother. Made us laugh always made us welcome and didn’t judge others. Thanks for the ride It was a great one. See you later. Cheers!!!!

RIP to a man who made soo many laugh, and made soo many feel special and loved.

Condolences to the loved ones.

What can one say about a fella who was a friend to everyone. I remember the first time I met him when I came home with Norma. He had a wise crack comment and Norma said, “ that’s just my brother, ignore him “. How you could you ever ignore Gar! That wit and that smile had the ability to lighten the mood in a room in a heartbeat. Loved my stops at his bar after our ball games or volleyball games , great memories and enjoyed his bantering with whatever group of people happened to be there. You shall be missed Gar.

I spent a great deal of time with Gar the establishments he ran over the years. Cheerful and with a great sense of humour my time was never wasted when Gar was there. I will miss him and cherish the good times we had.

Such a loss, and great loss for all of us! RI P my friend, you will never be forgotten. Your in my thoughts and prayers!

Hard to find the words to describe our dear friend Gar. He had such a magnetic personality that drew people close to him. I am so happy to be in the group that so enjoyed his friendship. He was a special man. Rest in peace, my friend.
With deepest respect. Joe O’Rourke

Condolences to Gar’s family

“Gar, Gears, Bear”
You will be deeply missed by so very many. Thankful Brion and I had many years
of friendship, fun, shennanigans and oh the laughter. I know you missed “Smi” deeply.
Thanks for being such a good friend and bodyguard lol
Those were the days my friend…. Happy Trails
Til we meet again ………on the Porch
Sherry ♥️

My sincerest condolences…so many great memories…rest in peace gar…

This was a man that, once met, was always remembered. A loving friend with great fondness for the wee ones under his Mother’s care. And that feeling was returned for all the years after.
Although big in stature that could make him memorable, it was his big heart and caring nature that made him our friend for life. He will be remebered always…♥️

Spent many hours with Gar and he was an awesome guy! His legacy lives on. Condolences to Norma and Kathy and to all his Special friends!

RIP Gar. You were a big part of the community and we wanted to say thank you for all the memories. You’ll always be remembered by everyone that knew you…cheers.

Jamie And Danielle Oke

Sad day for me. We go back a long way. A lot of good times I will never forget. RIP Gar

How do you say Goodbye to a Man that was so predominately part of the History, Culture, and Pride of this town? What name did you say that instantly everyone knew who and where you spoke of? Who in this area does NOT have a memory or story of Gar that ran throughout your 20’s, 30’s and beyond?
Well My Friend, you have earned your beautiful rest and fought the good fight. Peace to You.
Maryjane Parsons

Norma and Kathy;
So sorry to hear about Gar. Deepest sympathies to you.

I got to know Gar when I worked at Kongskide. He was a friend for ever since then. Great guy rest in peace my friend!!

Deepest Condolences to the family,
Gar was one of a kind and his witty jokes will be missed his laughter and kindness

What a special man! Thinking of him makes me recall that deep chuckle and his kind eyes. Gar always had a good joke to share and was the procurer of so many good times in Exeter. I hope you get some fishing in and maybe shake the dust off your Harley or Gold Wing. Pretty sure there is a long list of people waiting for you. Tell them a good joke, raise a glass and check out how the crops are coming. One of your many friends Brett Borden

Gar, you leave behind so many stories, so many friends and so many antics .
You are a legend that will be remembered
A toast to you my friend,
You will be missed!
Phyllis Johnson

Gar was a childhood friend living but a block away. Always a smile and a calm presence. I’m sorry our paths did not cross more in recent years.

Kathy and Norma, so sad to hear this news. The times many of us spent in that van “touring”, will never be forgotten, what a blast. Gar was one of the nicest people I have ever encountered. He will be missed by Exeter and all who knew him.

My deepest condolences.

Our condolences to Norma and Kathy. RIP my dear old friend. I will always cherish the memories of pike fishing on Big Lake with Gar and Tom.

Gar’s Family and Friends:
Sincere sympathy on Gar’s passing.
Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you!

Many great memories in our years at Kongskilde rest in peace my friend

Cheers To a man who always made everyone feel special as he smiled and shared a joke or two!

Rest in Peace. Brother. Far 2 soon. See U on the other side 4 🍻🍻. Smitty n Jo 🙏🙏🖖🖖

My condolences to the family

Gar where do I begin. You were a big part of my life growing up. I remember spending countless time with aunt Mario and uncle Tim and you Norma and Kathy You weren’t just a cousin you were like a big brother and from little to big you always called me nipper which I got nickname from somewhere. I will miss you and I love you. God earned a special angel when he called you up. You were one of the kindest men I know with ALIT of friends that will miss you tremendously

Gar’s sisters and families, Gar’s extended family, heartfelt condolences. I have known Gar since kindergarten. He was always good natured and friendly. Rest In Peace. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Gar…The Legend! You came, you saw, you laughed, you shared; and now we take a piece of you in every story we tell in your memory. Extending heartfelt sympathies to your family.

A sad day for Huron county, a legacy friend for many.
Gravel runs, demo derbies and pig roasts.
A toast to you Gar
Your laugh will never disappear +

Hey Gar , you know you are already missed down here , but I’m sure there are many that welcome you up there!
Hugs for your family

My deepest condolences

I am so sad to hear this. I served Gar for years at The Ridge. Rest easy friend.

Norma & Kathy and all of his friends, sorry to learn of Gar’s passing , ‘always a big hug & a smile when we would see him, If someone was around, he would tell them I had been his baby sitter and bounced him on my knee when we where both living on Andrew St…the community has lost a very special person. He was loved by many and will be missed for his stories and his kindness. Will think of him and smile.. .RIP Gar…

Hey Gar, I know you are up there looking down and know by now how much you are missed by many. If you have Max with you hugs to you both and give Tanner a big hug too. Many times in the past out walking you would share a smile and a funny joke. Sending a toast you Gar.

To all family and friends

Rest in peace Gar.
Many great times and memories left behind at the “Ridge”

Rest in Peace Gar. I always enjoyed our talks when I ran into you.
My sincere condolences to the family.

Ellen Green

Thanks for your kindness and everlasting friendships that were made over the years…., the memories we will treasure forever….

Mark, Mary Ellen, Jack and Sam
Finlayson

Gar you truly were a one of a kind, genuinely great guy. And oh the memories….I wouldn’t know where to start but they always left us with a smile and laugh. Give one of your sidekicks, my brother Ponch a big hug from me. Rest Easy my friend. Hugs to Kathy & Norma.

My sincere prayers and condolences to the family.

To Gar’s family and many friends;

Wow, what a legacy and a true local legend we have lost. I’ve known Gar for 44 years. He has been a friend, valued customer and source of many great conversations and laughs together. I especially remember our many visits on the porch at Gar & Marian’s place on Sander’s street east. Rest in peace Gar. Our thoughts are with all those whose lives were touched by Gar. (“Special K”…thinking of you especially at this time)

Mark & Julie Heimrich & staff at Lifetime Water Products

So hard to believe we will never see your smiling face again! I have so many fond memories of you since your Mom babysat me, you coming home from work at Kongskilde to watch tv with the kids. If one was lucky enough, they got to go on a ride on your bike. Later on in life I rode in poker rally with you, being so much fun! You were the best behind the bar at Murphy’s and then behind your own bar for decades where you brought the community in and treated them like family. We were all one big family and those days I cherish the most! The Christmas parties for us regulars being the best!! I can still hear your hearty laugh as you told one of your colourful jokes! Rest easy big fella, and as many have said there will be a lot of familiar faces there to greet you…Cheers!

My Sympathies to Gars family 🦋….. Remembering Gars big smile & the fun times at Gar’s Bar back in the day…….

Our condolences Norma and Kathy
Thinking of you!
Bonnie and Morley

It’s still unfathomable that such a huge legend can pass. It seems unfair that the stories and adventures, the jokes and advice are now just what we hold onto. From all the good times over the years to being my roommate at the hospital for 9 weeks, it still seems like someone should tell us it’s not true.
You are, and will always be missed, talked about fondly and be a part of all of our lives for many, many years to come. And I think that is the best tribute any of us could give you.
Rest well good sir.
Darren, Denise, Kayleigh & Sean Boyle

Gar will always be fondly remembered and reverred for his marks of goodness he left on the lives of those that knew him.

To the many people who had known Gar throughout the years . Memories flow through everyone minds old and new . The icon to Exeter he had so many stories to tell .Our family share very good times when growing up across the street from them . Rest your soul now Gar. Happy fishing as you share some great stories up above now . The Hearn family

Gar, our families memories of you go right back to The Exeter Inn. We all have different stories and memories of you but we will all cherish your friendship and sense of humor. Rest in peace ♥️

RIP,,Big Guy,,,thanks for great memories being on the Gars Girl Baseball Team ,,and Thursday night drinks,,,,cheers ❤️

Recalling a Gar moment.
Your quick wit and laughter will be remembered.

RIP Gar!

So long Lion Gar. Thank you for your friendship and I’m glad you filled your dash your way.
Enjoy your next adventure.
Lion Paul Anstett