Garry Russell Stephenson 13 May, 1956 – 4 July, 2024
CONTRIBUTE
TO MEMORY TIMELINE
To all of Gary's.extented family mu sencere condolences . May he rest in peace. His old argumentative friend Hughi.
You were loved by many people Garry. You will be missed. Love from Jenny, John, Darcy and Flynn.
>read on
I remember when Gaz joined us at "Hothlyn High" when we were all new to EDP . Garry's coat would get caught under his chair, as he pushed back to answer Uncle Bob's phone. He'd go flying. I remember when he encouraged a team of us to watch Slacker's Sloppy - his staff training film - one lunchtime. I remember when Garry and Chris Fox drove me home after my "Bucks turn". I remember when Ken and I staffed for him on one of his Murray River marathons, during Ken and my honeymoon. And so many other times. Luv ya Gaz
>read on
Our condolences to Garry’s extended family and friends. Gaz was a very generous, humorous and loving man. Generous with his time, knowledge and especially his advocacy of the ‘long’ working lunches. Humorous in a dad joke kind of way. Loving of all his family and close friends. We will miss him dearly. R.I.P Gaz
Stevo Christmas drinks at Y & J will never be the same now that you have left us - you will be sadly missed Vale from the all the SBV team of 1980 George
I have many precious memories of this special man. Here are just a few… Garry’s unrelenting optimism - whether for his golf game, his beloved Pies, a business sale, or a successful fishing trip (I never witnessed a caught fish, but it didn’t seem to matter). His openly affectionate love of dogs, his focussed culinary expertise to produce an extra-hot curry that could only be accompanied with a fulsome shiraz or a buttery chardy, his country driving adventures, and his long-held blissful memories of canoeing the Murray River Marathon (he insisted on carrying those canoes around from place to place for decades afterwards). Mostly, I remember Garry’s prolific and diverse social engagement sessions - with Uncle Ron at Box Hill, with ‘his tribe’ at Mount Evelyn footy club, with regulars at his local, with former business colleagues turned life long friends over a lunch time quiz, with extended family and step-family, with those he met walking Nina – the list goes on. I am so grateful for having known Garry, and I will miss him. My sincere condolences to Garry’s family whom he loved dearly - to Glad, Di and Ron, Jenny and John, Peter and Ronny. To Garry’s beautiful children Joel Carly Bec and Liz - he was so proud of you - my heart goes out to you. Garry lives on in you and your children, in your kindness, cleverness and laughter. To Robyn and Ivana, my thoughts and sympathies are with you at this sad time. Garry was one of a kind. It was impossible not to smile with him in the room.
>read on
So sad to hear of Stevo's passing and condolences to his family and friends. I first met Stevo when I was a young man in my first fulltime job and fair to say I thought he was a bit mad. We had a lot of fun and continued to bump into each other over the years - he never lost his passion and love for fun. He will be sorely missed. Vale Stevo. JB
Only just found out about Stevo’s passing and as usual through the SBV network where Stevo was always front and centre. Amazingly passionate about everything he took on and will be sorely missed at our Christmas drinks, been going for 40+ years and probably because we all knew Steve was going to be there. We’ll have one, or two for you this year Stevo and we’ll leave your seat at the end of the table vacant for you! Condolences to the extended Stephenson clan. Will be sorely missed.
My dearest cuz Gary my heart is breaking again as another chain in our family is broken 💔 life goes on they say but we who love you will always keep you locked in our hearts. My sympathies and love to your children and my dearest aunty Glad, Di and Ron, Peter, Ronnie and Jenny. 💔😭❤️
Garry you were a kind and gentle soul that was easy going and always willing to help. It was a pleasure knowing you and panelling in the studio with you as you read for the low vision and blindness community teaching them all about the latest technology and sharing the latest news in the AFL. We miss you dearly and thankyou for your endless contribution to Vision Australia Radio. Rest in Peace Garry. Lots of love the team at VAR.
>read on
Garry, working with you in the 80s at SBV was such a wonderful time. You brought so much energy, fun and laughter to every day while being great at your role. While we only caught up occasionally in more recent times, I loved that you still had that fantastic energy and cheeky laugh. Gone way too soon - you will be missed. My deepest sympathies to your family and loved ones.
Vale Garry, A true friend in life and business, always positive, optimistic, enthusiastic and always trying to help anyone whose life he touched in anyway he could. Regards Don Beggs
Deepest condolences to Joel, Carly, Liz and Bek and the whole family. Garry was very proud of you all. I’ve known Garry for 44 years, much of that time working together but most of all as great mates. I have so many great memories of fun times and adventures we enjoyed together. Sitting in the middle of the Dargo River drinking beer in the high country, sitting in a stretch limo in Washington as the driver left the freeway and went off road to avoid the tollbooth, singing Karaoke together into the wee hours of the morning at a bar in Tarrytown NY, doing a martini bar crawl in Philadelphia old town, our epic road trip to Woodstock and Pennsylvania, Friday afternoon golf days where Garry would utilise his famous long range putting from 50m short of the green. Too many more to list here. Garry will be greatly missed, but always remembered with a smile and a laugh.
I first met Garry through work, I remember that he had these cufflinks that were little taps, and that he had strong opinions and would never budge. We stayed mates for fifteen years, and ever since Covid Garry led our online quiz almost every single day. In the early days he talked about work but lately it was often about his kids. He was a good mate and he will be missed.
My dear brother,lm so crook on myself for not spending more time with you Gaz,l hope you can forgive me.l love you mate and also proud of your achievements in life.My tears at this moment are soeked in love l never really managed to show.l love you Gaz.Will NEVER forget you my dear brother.
His love of music inspired me to look at many artists that perhaps I would not have a go in listening to like Dan Fogelburg. I remember he was very caring and loved to help people. He was also the instigator of fit's of laughter.
Garry, you were an amazing manager. I learnt so much from you in my early days at SBV. You made our team's Motto "Work Hard. Play Hard". I remember when you made the team get up after every 50 minutes to do stretching and exercises on the spot. The other teams laughed at us. But you said it was good for us! And so we did it! It was so much fun to work and learn from you. You are a legend. You developed the prototype for the SBV Visa Card with the linked offset accounts behind it, which Comm bank then took over and which is still in existence today. Your legacy continues. It was always great catching up with you at the SBV reunions and texting in between. It won't be the same without you. Thank you for making IT so much fun. Miss you.
>read on
To all of Gary's.extented family mu sencere condolences . May he rest in peace. His old argumentative friend Hughi. Read full message here.
You were loved by many people Garry. You will be missed. Love from Jenny, John, Darcy and Flynn.
I remember when Gaz joined us at "Hothlyn High" when we were all new to EDP . Garry's coat would get caught under his chair, as he pushed back to answer Uncle Bob's phone. He'd go flying. I remember when he encouraged a team of us to watch Slacker's Sloppy - his staff training film - one lunchtime. I remember when Garry and Chris Fox drove me home after my "Bucks turn". I remember when Ken and I staffed for him on one of his Murray River marathons, during Ken and my honeymoon. And so many other times. Luv ya Gaz View full message
Anne Brackley nee MortimerOur condolences to Garry’s extended family and friends. Gaz was a very generous, humorous and loving man. Generous with his time, knowledge and especially his advocacy of the ‘long’ working lunches. Humorous in a dad joke kind of way. Loving of all his family and close friends. We will miss him dearly. R.I.P Gaz Read full message here.
Stevo Christmas drinks at Y & J will never be the same now that you have left us - you will be sadly missed Vale from the all the SBV team of 1980 George Read full message here.
My deepest condolences to Garry’s family. Garry was a fun bloke to work with at SBV and later in other roles. Always great company socially. It’s difficult to believe he is no longer with us. Unfortunately my wife and I are in the Pilbara region in WA so won’t be able to attend on Friday. Thinking of you all. 💕 Read full message here.
I have many precious memories of this special man. Here are just a few… Garry’s unrelenting optimism - whether for his golf game, his beloved Pies, a business sale, or a successful fishing trip (I never witnessed a caught fish, but it didn’t seem to matter). His openly affectionate love of dogs, his focussed culinary expertise to produce an extra-hot curry that could only be accompanied with a fulsome shiraz or a buttery chardy, his country driving adventures, and his long-held blissful memories of canoeing the Murray River Marathon (he insisted on carrying those canoes around from place to place for decades afterwards). Mostly, I remember Garry’s prolific and diverse social engagement sessions - with Uncle Ron at Box Hill, with ‘his tribe’ at Mount Evelyn footy club, with regulars at his local, with former business colleagues turned life long friends over a lunch time quiz, with extended family and step-family, with those he met walking Nina – the list goes on. I am so grateful for having known Garry, and I will miss him. My sincere condolences to Garry’s family whom he loved dearly - to Glad, Di and Ron, Jenny and John, Peter and Ronny. To Garry’s beautiful children Joel Carly Bec and Liz - he was so proud of you - my heart goes out to you. Garry lives on in you and your children, in your kindness, cleverness and laughter. To Robyn and Ivana, my thoughts and sympathies are with you at this sad time. Garry was one of a kind. It was impossible not to smile with him in the room.
So sad to hear of Stevo's passing and condolences to his family and friends. I first met Stevo when I was a young man in my first fulltime job and fair to say I thought he was a bit mad. We had a lot of fun and continued to bump into each other over the years - he never lost his passion and love for fun. He will be sorely missed. Vale Stevo. JB Read full message here.
Only just found out about Stevo’s passing and as usual through the SBV network where Stevo was always front and centre. Amazingly passionate about everything he took on and will be sorely missed at our Christmas drinks, been going for 40+ years and probably because we all knew Steve was going to be there. We’ll have one, or two for you this year Stevo and we’ll leave your seat at the end of the table vacant for you! Condolences to the extended Stephenson clan. Will be sorely missed. Read full message here.
My dearest cuz Gary my heart is breaking again as another chain in our family is broken 💔 life goes on they say but we who love you will always keep you locked in our hearts. My sympathies and love to your children and my dearest aunty Glad, Di and Ron, Peter, Ronnie and Jenny. 💔😭❤️ Read full message here.
Garry you were a kind and gentle soul that was easy going and always willing to help. It was a pleasure knowing you and panelling in the studio with you as you read for the low vision and blindness community teaching them all about the latest technology and sharing the latest news in the AFL. We miss you dearly and thankyou for your endless contribution to Vision Australia Radio. Rest in Peace Garry. Lots of love the team at VAR. View full message
Marilyn BednarGarry, working with you in the 80s at SBV was such a wonderful time. You brought so much energy, fun and laughter to every day while being great at your role. While we only caught up occasionally in more recent times, I loved that you still had that fantastic energy and cheeky laugh. Gone way too soon - you will be missed. My deepest sympathies to your family and loved ones. Read full message here.
Vale Garry, A true friend in life and business, always positive, optimistic, enthusiastic and always trying to help anyone whose life he touched in anyway he could. Regards Don Beggs Read full message here.
Deepest condolences to Joel, Carly, Liz and Bek and the whole family. Garry was very proud of you all. I’ve known Garry for 44 years, much of that time working together but most of all as great mates. I have so many great memories of fun times and adventures we enjoyed together. Sitting in the middle of the Dargo River drinking beer in the high country, sitting in a stretch limo in Washington as the driver left the freeway and went off road to avoid the tollbooth, singing Karaoke together into the wee hours of the morning at a bar in Tarrytown NY, doing a martini bar crawl in Philadelphia old town, our epic road trip to Woodstock and Pennsylvania, Friday afternoon golf days where Garry would utilise his famous long range putting from 50m short of the green. Too many more to list here. Garry will be greatly missed, but always remembered with a smile and a laugh. Read full message here.
I first met Garry through work, I remember that he had these cufflinks that were little taps, and that he had strong opinions and would never budge. We stayed mates for fifteen years, and ever since Covid Garry led our online quiz almost every single day. In the early days he talked about work but lately it was often about his kids. He was a good mate and he will be missed. Read full message here.
My dear brother,lm so crook on myself for not spending more time with you Gaz,l hope you can forgive me.l love you mate and also proud of your achievements in life.My tears at this moment are soeked in love l never really managed to show.l love you Gaz.Will NEVER forget you my dear brother. Read full message here.
His love of music inspired me to look at many artists that perhaps I would not have a go in listening to like Dan Fogelburg. I remember he was very caring and loved to help people. He was also the instigator of fit's of laughter. Read full message here.
I remember Garry's motto in his group was "work hard, play hard". He certainly lived up to it. I haven't met anyone more determined to have fun no matter what he was doing. Thanks for all the good memories Stevo, I'll have a glass of something tasty in your honour. Long lunches won't be the same without you. Read full message here.
Garry, you were an amazing manager. I learnt so much from you in my early days at SBV. You made our team's Motto "Work Hard. Play Hard". I remember when you made the team get up after every 50 minutes to do stretching and exercises on the spot. The other teams laughed at us. But you said it was good for us! And so we did it! It was so much fun to work and learn from you. You are a legend. You developed the prototype for the SBV Visa Card with the linked offset accounts behind it, which Comm bank then took over and which is still in existence today. Your legacy continues. It was always great catching up with you at the SBV reunions and texting in between. It won't be the same without you. Thank you for making IT so much fun. Miss you. View full message
Karin Herber