Mick McGarry

(18 February 1940 - 12 July 2020) (Rhodesia & St Peter's 1964)

Mick was born in Bulawayo on 18th February 1940 and attended St George’s College
from 1949-57. He went on to the University College of Rhodesia & Nyasaland, and
graduated with a BA History (Hons). He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship for his fine
mind and many well-rounded talents. He read Politics, Philosophy and Economics
achieving his MA (Oxon) at St.Peter’s College, Oxford University from 1964-66. While
there he met his future wife Jacqueline and they headed for Canada together in 1966.

After teaching and coaching as Junior Housemaster at Shawnigan Lake Boys’ School
he returned home to Rhodesia with his wife and new son, Gavin, to teach at Umtali
Boys High School. Later as Head of the English Department at Oriel Boys School in
Salisbury, he guided new teachers with firm and gentle advice and instilled in them the
love of teaching.

In 1979 he pursued his long-held interest in the law. He completed his LLB at the
University of Western Ontario and practised as a Specialist in Family Law. Here he
created an educational and social group of lawyers - ‘The Cabal’. He was the linchpin of
this collegial group which wrestled regularly with the intricacies of family law.

After volunteering and travelling overseas with his wife for 2 years he returned to
practising family law in BC. Again, his talent for drawing people together and creating
dialogue led to the formation of many groups some of which continue to this day such
as the Kelowna Really Terrible Choir, the Awards committee of the Kelowna Film
Society, the Canada Day luncheon, and his Annual Christmas ‘Music & Munchies’
Celebration.

However, ‘The Filos’ is the group of which he was most proud. It is a gathering of retired
intelligentsia who discuss shared interests and debate issues of the day. It became the
mainstay of his intellectual and social life bringing as it did not only mental stimulation,
but deep friendship, which he valued and in which he participated until his death.

Mick will be remembered and missed by many for his gentlemanly demeanour, his
ingenuity, energy and sporting prowess, his generosity, inventiveness and kindness.