It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our father, Garnet Lawrence Behnke, aged 83. He peacefully left this world on October 2, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and countless memories.
Born in Blind River, Ontario to Lawrence & Doris (nee Tulloch) Behnke, on January 13th, 1941. He spent his life making people smile, always armed with a quick-witted joke, or a unique nickname for everyone he met. He was the kind of man who never met a stranger, turning acquaintances into lifelong friends, and filling every room he entered with joy.
A proud accountant by trade, Garnet earned his professional accounting designation (RIA), while raising three young children and working at Ontario Hydro. As a dedicated and hardworking man, he took on many successful business ventures including Mr. Snappy Foods, Roller Country and Vitto Brand Foods.
In the earlier days, he enjoyed owning and operating a 340 acre hobby farm in Blind River. He later became Chief Controller and Assistant General Manager at CKSO/ CIGM Radio and Television.
Throughout his life, Garnet’s commitment to providing for his family and achieving his career goals was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Garnet had a deep love for “the island,” where he built his forever home on Lake Manitou. There, he found true peace and happiness in the outdoors, especially when fishing on the lake, and at his beloved fishing camp on Burns Lake. He kept in shape by cutting 20 cords of wood per year; It was his passion.
He also cherished Killarney Moose hunting trips, in the early years. Later in life, he hunted deer on the Island with the Jones Gang, in Silver Water, and then hunting Whitetails on his own property in Spring Bay, with the Iron Buck Hunt Club.
A natural wordsmith and storyteller, Garnet loved sharing tales of his outdoor adventures and entertaining his family and friends for hours on end.
He leaves behind his children, Caroline (Michael), Steven (Michele), and Laura♡. He adored his grandchildren, Davey, Stevie, Emily (Franco), Leigh (Greg), Alexandra (Brent), Corey (Shawn), Sammy (Lindsay), and Veronica♡. He loved his three great grandchildren, Owen, Hallie, and Max♡. He also shared a close bond with the mother of his children, Frances♡.
He leaves behind his 9 siblings, Dale (Farhina), Jerry (Marilyn), Lyle (Bev), Gloria (Rick), Lorne (Ruth), Janice (Gary), Byron (Sue), Elaine (Claude), Corinne (Tom)♡, and a vast network of friends and loved ones who will forever cherish his infectious sense of humor and zest for life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lansing Baptist Church on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 2pm, where friends and family are invited to share their fond memories and stories, just as Garnie would have wanted — with laughter and love. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts https://alzheimer.ca/sudburymanitoulin/en.