GuelphToday received the following letter from Barry Roy regarding the recent passing of Garry Glowacki
Garry was a legend!!
His legacy will always reside inside the souls and psyches of the THOUSANDS of people whose lives he helped change!
His lessons of resiliency combined with positive confrontation, successfully challenged many troubled minds to find, learn and practice techniques related to the acknowledgement and management of their respective dependencies and resulting unhealthy, anti-social, and outright destructive life-choices.
Indeed, society owes Garry as much as these folks. For every "troubled soul" Garry helped find a pathway to sobriety and positive self-awareness, an untold number of potential victims were otherwise prevented.
Overall, Garry himself travelled an often hard road. But it led him to learn the survival skills he was then able to teach to others in a direct but fraternal manner.
Garry was a light in this often dark world. He spread hope and positivity. Those involved in the 'Bridge Community' had good reason to adore him.
I am certain that Garry will be remembered more for the contagion that was his charismatic optimism, rather than the dreadful contagion that ultimately took his life.
If anyone still doubts the ferocity of COVID-19, they better reassess their perspective immediately. This virus just didn't eliminate a man named Garry, It killed a respected, veteran gladiator.
Garry fought fiercely in the Arena of Life. He overcame so many deadly adversaries to finally 'win' his freedom.
Those to whom he passed along those special skills to eventually 'win' their own 'freedom,' will never forget Garry. Let his name and memory also live in the memories of those who witnessed him practice his unique and personal arts.
Rest in peace Garry
Barry Roy, correctional officer
Ontario Correctional Institute
