Garth passed away quietly on Friday, February 21, 2025, at Bethell Hospice in Inglewood. He will be forever missed by his wife of 50 years, Lynda; daughters Jennifer and Emily (Jordan Maywood). Garth had a passion for classic cars, Formula 1 racing and soccer – an avid supporter of Liverpool FC, he rarely missed a game. He had a long and happy career with Air Canada, retiring in 2003. We hope Garth will now reunite with his best buddy Barley “Over the rainbow bridge”.
The family thanks Dr. Milan Kacer, Dr. William Raskin and Dr. Karim Alnoor Manji, for their 18 months of care and support.
There will be a private family funeral followed by cremation.
A gathering at the home on Cherry Lane in remembrance of him will be held at a later date, to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Bethell Hospice Foundation, Inglewood (foundation.bethellhospice.org).
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
MaryAnne Ritacca
Sending my deepest condolences to Jen and her family for your loss❤️ May He R.I.P
Lisa
Condolences to Mrs. Rainford, Emily Jordan, and Jennifer. I always enjoyed conversations with Mr. Rainford and the humour and entertainment he brought to every story he told.
Sending our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy during this difficult time.
Lisa, Mike and Family
Del Bernardi
I met Garth the first time at crew scheduling check-in desk a few decades ago. We both retired since but we reconnected a few years back when he attended our regular monthly RAPCAN Luncheon. Garth was a regular member of our Orangeville group. He was also our designated photographer and carry on that task with obvious passion and dedication. My condolences to Garth family and friends. He will be missed.
Del Bernardi
Robert Harris
Lynda, Jennifer and Emily you are all in our prayers….what a perfect picture you picked….that is exactly how I will remember my best friend forever…sitting back with a cigar and a scotch and just taking it easy….when I started in crew sked 58 years ago we started a long friendship that has lasted all these years and as you know we talked and laughed on the phone almost every day….he taught me about racing and soccer and I taught him about golf and curling…when we went to Las Vegas to the flight ops golf tournament back in 1969 it became the first of many many trips together all of which had a million laughs….I know the three of you have a lot of fond memories to help you get through this time and we are thinking of you every day….lots of love Bob and Elaine
Sandy Tipping
Thinking of you Lynda , Jennifer , Emily and family , during this difficult time .
Sending my sincere condolences to all of you in the loss of Garth .
The ogdens
Lynda Jennifer and Emily. Don and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of Garth. Thinking of you all at this very sad time
May all the loving memories of him help you through this difficult time. Jenny and Don Ogden.
The Hargreaves Family
Mrs. R, Jennifer and Emily (Jordan)
Our deepest condolences to all of you, we are so sorry to hear about Garth’s (Mr. R) passing.
Since moving next door on Cherry Lane over 35 years ago we all had the pleasure of spending a lot of time together from our Christmas Eve gatherings, dog sitting Barley and Scruggs to our dad’s phone calls after the F1 race was over on Sundays, sharing pristine copies of the F1 magazine and jujubes for the grandkids when they would walk over for a visit.
Cherry Lane looks a lot different now, but his memory will live on forever at the fence between our houses.
Hope is having a laugh with Mr. H and the dogs up in heaven, may he rest in peace.
Judy, Kori (Mike Guglietti) Kyle (Renèe Francis) Tyler, Breanna and Marcus Guglietti
Krista Lloyd
Lynda, Jennifer and Emily,
My sincere condolences during this difficult time. May your happy memories bring you peace during this journey. Thinking of you all.
Krista Lloyd (Venning)
Margaret Walker
Sending you hugs and love! There are no words. Xo
William Leslie
We are so very sorry for your loss. He was such a great doggy Daddy. We would chat every time we would meet up walking. He was a great man. May he RIP.
Ken Graham
To Lynda, Jennifer, Emily and Jordan,
This is a real loss to a wonderful family. I remember teaching Jennifer, Emily and Jordan at Ellwood P.S. – all great kids. Every time I met Garth, he always had a twinkle in his eye ready for next joke. I remember kidding him about the cast on his broken leg. Lynda has always been so kind and caring that I am sure Garth was well looked after in his final days. I hope the great memories will carry you forward.
Mai-Britt Edgar
Dear Lynda, Emily, Jennifer and Jordan
I am so sorry for your loss, but I know that you feel surrounded by the love of your beautiful daughters, family and friends. You will always have the happy memories that you all shared together.
Sending you my love and hugs, and you know that I am here to listen and support, always.
In the past years of being close friends and sisters, we have been through many sad and difficult times. We have helped each other, since those high school days.
I will miss Garth’s dry sense of humour and he will missed by your family. I didn’t know his middle name before. Weston. A good name. Love to you all.
Dan & Susan Adams
Dear Lynda, Jennifer, Emily & Jordan.
Dan & i send our love & heartfelt condolences on the sad loss of Garth, such a loving & caring husband & father. He has left you with such beautiful memories that will help guide you & give you the strength to carry you through the journey of grief ahead of you. Walk through it slowly. Big hugs.
May he R.I.P.
Howard and Sharon Venning
Dear Lynda and family
Our sincere condolences at this difficult time. Thoughts and prayers to all.
Micahel Vasil
Lynda and family,
My sincere condolences to you on Garth’s passing. A very sad day. I was one of the many pilots at Air Canada who had the pleasure of working with Garth. He was easy going with a wry sense of humour and always the professional.
May he rest in peace.
Michael Vasil
Air Canada (retired)
Jim Todd
Dear Lynda and family,
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. It was always a pleasure interacting with Garth when I would check in for a flight. We had very little interaction after my retirement however I always enjoyed his photos from the Rapcan meetings in Orangeville.
Jim Todd
Captain Warren Wallace
I knew Garth at Air Canada and always enjoyed his quiet manner. He was a good man.
Andy Baker
I am so sad to learn of Garth’s passing. Garth was always so very courteous and helpful to me over my 35 years at the airline. And he never even drafted me LOL!! What a very fine gentleman he was. I know he will be missed by a great many people.
My sincere condolences go to his family. Rest in peace Garth….and thanks for everything.
Kent Smerdon
Dear Lynda & Family;
A sad day and deepest condolences on behalf of the RAPCAN membership and especially from those who knew and worked with Garth. A great presence, a true professional, a natural with a camera and a quiet dry wit. He will be missed at our Orangeville luncheons.
Warmest Regards
Captain Kent Smerdon
President
Retired Airline Pilots of Canada
Brian Murray AC retired flat ops
Hi there always enjoyed interacting with Garth at crew sled, was on reserve for many years at Air Canada he will be missed !
ADOLFO DIMARCO
I loved talking with Garth at Scheduling, then later at RAPCAN luncheons. A bright intelligent mind hidden behind a calm look and dagger-like wit. Condolences to ALL who knew him.
Dave DiMarco
Captain Paul J Debrone (retired)
Reading this gives me a heavy heart and a gentle smile as I picture Garth. He was a large part of my aviation Schedule. Our conversations were always delightful and very genuine. He even saved an ACARS message from years ago to give to me personally. Miss you Garth!
Fly Safe!
Paul
Allan Snowie
A gentle giant of a man in all aspects. He was a kind mentor to new Air Canada Second Officers as we floundered about finding our way into that awesome company. You are Remembered Garth.
Dennis Copley
Most sincere condolences to the family.I met Garth in 1973,a great introduction to the airline life.Very professional and easy going many wonderful conversations.
David Thomson
Garth was a very nice, kind man.
Ken patry
Dear Lynda and Family
Georgina and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Garth was one of the good guys, fun and a pleasure to be around. I always enjoyed our relationship at work and eventually our personal friendship. He will be missed!!
Doug McLeod
Garth was one of the best crew schedulers Air Canada ever had. I worked with him as a pilot for many years and had the highest regard and respect for him. It was such a joy to see him again at the Rapcan luncheons in Orangvillee. I always looked forward to seeing and talking with him.
My sincere condolences go out to his family and close friends and be comforted by the knowledge that there are more folks than you can imagine, who are silently grieving along with you today.
Bob Kirk
So many great memories started in the mid 70’s on the Cherry Lane circle. All new neighbours on a new street spending time watching our children grow up and enjoy each others company . The street parties with Garth and Lynda and all the neighbours participating. Thank you❤️
Enzo Paduano
Garth was a very fine gentleman that epitomized professionalism, kindness & respect. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
May Garth rest in peace!!
Jay McGowan
Memories of Garth cover many years. He patiently and competently guided us through our initial exposure to the complexities of Air Canada. Garth provided a trusted, steady and appreciated hand through chaotic and normal operations.
Working with Garth for a large portion of my career was a privilege. My sincere condolences to his family.
Jay McGowan (retired)
Tom Baldwin
Garth had a permanent, warm smile, with a heart to match.
He even made being drafted seem pleasant!
How fortunate we have all been to have him as a friend.
David England
Dear Lynda and Family
Garth will be greatly remembered as a gentleman, professional and friend. His kindness and humour were shared with so many over the years. My deepest condolences
Kent Wilson
A true gentleman and always a professional calm voice of reason at crew sked. I’ll miss him at Orangeville.
Captain Robbie Robinson
Garth was someone you never forget. He was a great guy to work with and always a delight to be around. May he REST in PEACE !!!
Jeff Benson
Dear Lynda and family,
My most heartfelt condolences on Garth’s passing. As a newly minted Second Officer many moons ago, I was always able to trust Garth’s advice as he led us newbies through the contractual wilderness. Getting to know him better over the years I thoroughly enjoyed his wonderful sense of humour and knowledge on so many non-airline topics. Then, of course, there was that grin. A true gentleman who will be missed.
RIP
Captain Ron Jones
Dear Lynda and family
Very sorry to hear that Garth has passed away.
What a great guy! Had a lot of great conversations with Garth over the years including some wonderful stories. Looked forward to seeing him at crew scheduling and later at out luncheons in Orangeville
He will be missed.
My sincere condolences.
Iain Edghill
Dear Mrs. Rainford, the airline industry has lost a titan. My deepest condolences to you and your family on this profound loss.
Working with Garth was always a pleasure. He is irreplaceable. May he Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
Sincerely,
[Capt.] Iain Edghill [AC ret’d].
Terry and Marcia Simair
We were very saddened to learn of Garth’s passing. I first met Garth at work and later at the Orangeville RAPCAN lunch’s. I always enjoyed seeing him and talking to him. He will be sorely missed.
Our sincerest condolences to his family.
Richard H Fister
Dear Lynda and family.
It was very sad news to learn of Garth’s passing.
The role of crew scheduling has been likened to “herding cats”. Despite all the challenges that he faced, Garth always maintained calmness and courtesy. He was one of the best.
Similarly, Garth was a great character at the Orangeville RAPCAN luncheons along with his photography skills.
He will be missed.
Joan Martin
My condolences to Lynda and her family, from your neighbour Joan on Cherry Lane
Chuck Almasy (Capt Ret) Florida
Dear Lynda and Family,
It was so sad to hear about Garth’s passing. He was a real gentleman and easy to deal with. He had a calm and relaxing way about him which had a real positive influence on all who had dealings with him. Crew Scheduling would not have been the same without Garth.
My deepest condolences to Family and Friends.\ Garth will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
May he Rest In peace.
Judy Kirk
Lynda, Jennifer and Emily
So very sorry for your loss. So many fond memories of Cherry Lane!
Pamela Seidel (Johnson)
Lynda, Jennifer and Emily,
We are so sorry for your great loss. I just read the news and I’m heartbroken for all of you. Sending our deepest condolences to all of you. So many memories growing up in the neighbourhood and babysitting the girls. Hugs to all of you.
Bent Pedersen
Bent & Marion Pedersen;
What a loss to ALL of us that knew Garth. Doing his Crew Scheduling job with class, and apart from him being a true
gentleman when we met him checking in for work, he always had a smile, and we could share a few words before we
then proceeded to our jobs. I also belive here I can speak for the early days when the airline was much smaller, and our Flight Attendants had to check in with a combined crew Sched. Never ever heard a bad comment about Garth.
What memories we all have of a great person. May he rest in peace after a job WELL DONE.
Bent Pedersen
Grace and Buster Wood
Dear Lynda and family
We were so very sorry to hear the news of Garth’s passing, he was always a gentleman,
considerate and thoughtful and very professional in his job, a great guy.
May you find solace and comfort in knowing that many care and we know that over time
all the good memories you hold of Garth will carry you over those difficult and sad times
ahead.
Our deepest condolences.
Sincerely,
Buster and Grace Wood
Joanne MacDonald
Dear Jennifer, Dennis and I are so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing, our deepest sympathy to you and your family at this sad time . May he rest in peace .