As so often happens in the Bow Valley when dire circumstances or tragedy strikes, friends, family and members of the wide community gather together.
Such was the case on March 4, when a celebration of life at the Rose and Crown was held in honour of Gary ‘Uke’ Bachynski, who passed away from cancer on March 3 at the age of 62.
After Bachynski was diagnosed with cancer in February, friends such as Dave ‘Swanee’ Swanson and many others planned a fundraising bash for him.
Unfortunately, said Swanson, Uke passed away the day before. Undaunted, the event changed from a fundraiser for Bachynski to support for three charities in town – with more than 400 people attending.
In all, $15,000 was raised, with $10,000 going to the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley, $4,000 to Kids Sport Bow Valley and $1,000 toward a junior golf scholarship at the Banff Springs club.
“Our friend was in palliative care, although it was short-lived,” said Swanson. “We know that group is really in need of funds and it struck a chord.
“Palliative care isn’t just for the old and not everyone can afford 24-hour care. And, if we can get a hospice here, people won’t have to go to Calgary to visit dying loved ones.”
Bachynski at one point was given three to nine months to live, said Swanson, “but he passed away before the fundraiser so the idea came up that it would all go to charity.
“Gary was quite a character in the valley and many people knew him. He arrived in Banff in 1977, played hockey with Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo), back in 1997 baseball and was a Banff Springs golf club member since 1978. He worked the Rose and Crown, Wild Bill’s, the Cascade Inn and Barbary Coast and was an irreverently humorous character on either side of the bar.
“Uke will be missed by many, but not without a story and a ‘cheers.’
Also in the works are plans for a commemorative bench at the golf course.
