Gary Delbert Behm

BEHM, GARY DELBERT    August 14, 1950 to April 3, 2023

Gary passed away surrounded by his wife and family at the Renfrew Victoria Hospital on Monday April 3rd .  Gary had been sick for many years fighting his way back to health several times.  He entered the hospital on Saturday Morning April 1st and this time he lost the battle. Best friend and devoted husband of Reta (nee Shean –Dellaire) for over 45 years.  Gary was the son of the late Delbert Behm and Clara  Boldt of Eganville. Gary was a very kind and loving man who was liked by everyone he ever met. He was very Proud of his Children, Grandchildren and Great – Grandchildren Gary was the Chosen Dad  of Joey  - Spouse LeeAnn Dellaire of Spruce Grove Alberta Johnny -  Spouse Stacey Dellaire of Waterford Ont. Carlene - Spouse Glenn Gauthier of Campbell’s Bay Que. Adopted Dad to Andrew Cartwright (Tara Tower) of Renfrew. Gary was the Proud Grandpa/Papa to Ashley-Ann Dellaire, Spruce Grove, Alberta, Kristena Dellaire-Patterson (Spouse Scott)  Edmonton Alberta, Marcus  (Spouse Jessica) Dellaire Edmonton, Alberta, Kaili Dellaire  (Branden Deschamps) Pembroke, Jonathan Dellaire (Skyler Lunar) Hawksbury, Kaden Dellaire (Marley ) of Nepean, Katie Hellewell-Dellaire  of Waterford, Christopher Mahusky of Renfrew, Michael Mahusky (Mellissa Dolan) of Arnprior, Brittanee Mahusky of Ottawa, Hannah Mahusky of Campbell’s Bay Que., Ashley McLeod (Spouse James) of Ottawa. Adopted Grandpa to Aiden Cartwright of Renfrew, Great Grandpa/GP to: Aaliyah Patterson – Edmonton, Alberta, Jaxon & Phoenix Dellaire – Edmonton, Alberta, Clayton & Clara Mahusky of Arnprior plus one more GG coming in the fall, Koda & Airia Dellaire of Hawksbury, Isla Deschamps of Pembroke, Juniper McLeod of Ottawa, Gary will be sadly missed a lot by his Best Buddy – his fur Grandbaby Rascal who was a loving companion to Gary for 10 years. Gary met his wife Reta in 1975 in Eganville.  She had 3 small children at the time and he fell for the full package right away.  They took 2 years to get to know one another before they decided they were the “Star Crossed Lovers” who were meant to be together.  Gary took over the job of raising Reta’s children and became their “Chosen Dad”  whom they all loved from the first time the kids met Gary.  This was truly a love story from start to finish.  .  Some people say Gary and Reta were joined at the hip as they did everything together. Besides his wife Reta, family and mother Gary is survived by his sister Donna Behm, and sisters-in-law Bonnie Shean, Darlyne Shean, Janet Shean and Betty Shean-Lucas , Special Sister in law of Kaireen Merchand of Eganville and adopted sister in las Lisa Bell of Pembroke, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins, Gary was very involved with the Royal Canadian Legion in Eganville, Cobden and at both Zone  & District levels.  .He was the District G bartender for many years for the Legion Convention Hospitality Suites , Gary was a Life member of the Eganville Legion and was awarded the Legion Meritorious Service Medal – the second highest award in the Legion plus he held many positions at Branch and Zone levels and received numerous awards at both levels. He was also a Charter member of the Bonnechere Valley Civitan Club of Eganville. Gary grew up in Eganville and went to Eganville Public and high Schools and then on to Opeongo high School.  Gary worked at Timminco Metals Mine (formally Dominion Magnesium and Chromasco) for over 35 years until it’s closing in 2008. Gary enjoyed volunteering for Valley Heritage Radio since 2008 and he is a Life Member of the Station. Up until a few days before he entered the hospital, Gary was stamping bingo cards with Reta. Gary loved sports and music and he loved to dance and that love has been passed on to all the family. Gary and Reta always welcomed everyone into their home and family and have many young people who consider them to be their “other Dad and Mom”.   Gary Your battle is now over.  No more pain and suffering.  I still do not understand why this had to happen to such a great person as you.  Now you are my Angel so spread your wings out wide.  Please wrap them around me whenever I’m feeling lonely.  I will miss you always until we can meet again “Ma  Hun”. Reta and the family would like to thank Doctor Nixon and the nurses who looked after Gary during his last 2 days while a patient in the Renfrew Hospital.  You were all so good to our Gary making him so comfortable in all his pain and for being so kind and considerate to our family.  We also want to thank Doctor Pinard and all the nurses, PSW’s and volunteers who took such good care of Gary while he was in Renfrew Hospice.  We know we would not have had him for the last year without all your excellent care.  Thank you to the nurses from Bayshore and the PSWs from Access for your care of Gary at home for the last 3 months and to Tracey and Glenda for filling in when I needed extra help for Gary.  I cannot forget to thank our family and friends who visited Gary while he was in Hospice and again after he came home.  He loved all your visits.In lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Canadian Legion Eganville (Ont.) Branch 353 or to Valley Heritage Radio in Renfrew would grately be appreciated.  Gary loved his time at both places.

A Celebration of Life will be help later in the summer when the weather is warm and sunny as Gary requested.

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