Array
(
    [ff_id] => 1831
    [first_name] => Gary Charles
    [nickname] => 
    [middle_name] => 
    [last_name] => Stockdale
    [category] => 
    [employment] => Career (Full Time)
    [rank] => Platoon Chief
    [birth_date] => 1936-05-06
    [joined_date] => 1960
    [death_date] => 2022-06-26
    [funeral_date] => 
    [cemetary] => 
    [age] => 86
    [department] => Brantford Fire Department
    [station] => 
    [city] => Brantford
    [province] => ON
    [incident_location] => 
    [incident_province] => 
    [cause] => Work Related Illness - Non Hodgkins Lymphoma
    [circumstances] => 
    [url] => 
    [other] => 
    [wsib_rec_date] => 
    [date_entered] => 2023-08-11 17:00:30
    [source] => 
    [note] => 
    [ceremony] => 2023
    [photo] => Stockdale.jpeg
    [panel_number] => 13
    [story_EN] => 
Gary Ivan Stockdale was one of five kids growing up with two brothers and two sisters. He was an avid baseball player growing up in Brantford catching the eye of the Cincinnati Reds when he was younger but his inability to hit the curveball proved he should just coach. He was a successful manager of the junior baseball team in Brantford as well as senior team that at one time boasted eight OHL and NHL players including Gretzky, coming to play for him each summer.

As much as he loved baseball, he loved his flower gardens even more.  The backyard was the winner of best backyard in Brantford. He loved to spend his time working away around the pool. Also, an avid golfer always finding time to play and lose a few balls. During all the golfing, baseball, gardening, and travelling with his wife Mary who he celebrated 63 years of marriage with last year, he was able to squeeze in a 34-year career with the Brantford Fire Department, retiring as Platoon Chief.  He was so proud of the work he did and the friends he made – many of which are still friends today.   Ultimately he was a true friend, husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law and coach that has been sorely missed by all. He loved spending time with family and friends and probably painted everyone’s house in his extended family and he never missed an event of his sons as they grew up or of his grandchildren.

Love you, Miss you, and Proud of You. Your family. xoxo

    [story_FR] => 
    [is_live] => 1
    [dod] => 2022-06-26
)