Gary 'Cuda' Eisler
Gary ‘Cuda’ Eisler passed away peacefully on Wednesday June 14, 2023 surrounded by family.
Gary’s journey began in Egmondville, Ontario on January 3rd, 1955. Born to Jack and Doreen Eisler (predeceased), and younger brother to Cindy Flanagan, Gary spent his childhood either at the rink or on the ballfield where he excelled on the pitching mound.
He spent many days of his youth down on Main Street in Seaforth, where he met the love of his life Cathy at 12 years old who became his wife and best friend of 46 years. Their adventure together took them to Kitchener Ontario, where Gary began his 30 years at Budd Automotive. He was an active member of the CAW, and a mentor to many.
He spent many days of his youth down on Main Street in Seaforth, where he met the love of his life Cathy at 12 years old who became his wife and best friend of 46 years. Their adventure together took them to Kitchener Ontario, where Gary began his 30 years at Budd Automotive. He was an active member of the CAW, and a mentor to many.
It was in Kitchener where they welcomed their pride and joys Jonathon and Janelle. In 1985 the family settled in Baden, Ontario where Gary was an active member of the Baden Optimist Club, and continued his love of the game playing with the Westtown Motors baseball team and later the New Hamburg Stingers slow pitch team. He also extended his love of sports coaching Jon and his friends through Baden Minor Baseball and New Hamburg Minor Hockey.
Gary never missed a game, a practice, or watching his children do what they loved.
In 2006, Gary and Cathy pursued their dream of moving to the shores of Lake Huron. It’s there that they met many good friends and never missed the chance to enjoy a good sunset.
In 2006, Gary and Cathy pursued their dream of moving to the shores of Lake Huron. It’s there that they met many good friends and never missed the chance to enjoy a good sunset.
In 2012, their next chapter began, and Gary thrived at being a proud Papa to Abby, Ava, Harry and Ben. He loved nothing more but to watch them play on the beach, swing in their swing, take them for tractor rides and bounce them on his knee on his favorite front porch.
Gary will always be loved and remembered by his son in law Erik Griffin, his brother-in-law Ken Flanagan, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sandra and Ivan Anderson, and his sister-in-law Marilyn McGonigle. He will be affectionately remembered by Julie Ann Smith, his nieces and nephews, cousins, and the many people that shared an air guitar, a laugh, a story on the beach, or a cold beer along the way.
Gary lived his life "against the wind" but was always "like a rock" to everyone around him. With his beloved Bob Segar playing in the background, and holding the hands of the ones he loved, he knew it was his time to "turn the page".
Gary will always be loved and remembered by his son in law Erik Griffin, his brother-in-law Ken Flanagan, his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sandra and Ivan Anderson, and his sister-in-law Marilyn McGonigle. He will be affectionately remembered by Julie Ann Smith, his nieces and nephews, cousins, and the many people that shared an air guitar, a laugh, a story on the beach, or a cold beer along the way.
Gary lived his life "against the wind" but was always "like a rock" to everyone around him. With his beloved Bob Segar playing in the background, and holding the hands of the ones he loved, he knew it was his time to "turn the page".
A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held
on Sunday July 16, 2023
from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
at the Grand Bend Legion, Branch 498,
20 Municipal Drive, Grand Bend, Ontario.
Tigers, Red Wings, and Bob Seger attire is encouraged.
Please note:
The Family's Tribute to Gary will begin at 1:45 pm
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made to the Seaforth Legion Branch 156 where Gary was a member for almost 50 years, or to the Grand Bend Legion Branch 498, are most appreciated.
Wareing Cremation Services, 346 Simcoe St., Tillsonburg has been entrusted with Final Arrangements. Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared here at wareingcremation.ca
We are so saddened by the death of Gary Eisleer Ourcondolenceses to all his family and friends! He was so loved by many and we love him!
We loved you so much more than I can even express! Love is so much more than I can ever express!
Cathy I am very sorry for your loss, Gary was a good work buddy of mine, sorry I never did more to keep in contact with yeah guys, and again this weekend I am busy with family maters so I won’t make it. Always something sorry.
Aretha
Cathy,Jonathon,Janelle,Cindy & families:
We are sending our sincere condolences for your loss.
We will sure miss seeing Gary on Remembrance Days at Seaforth Legion! We are not able to attend the celebration of life but please know we will be thinking of you all.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. Happy memories of Gary will live on in our hearts. Sending hugs and peaceful thoughts.
Dear Cathy and families
I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing and send my deepest sympathy. I remember Gary in high school and I remember how much he enjoyed playing baseball and chewing gum! I remember visiting Gary and a couple of others when he was hospitalized back in the 70’s. Gary was a friendly, good looking teenager and looks like he aged handsomely too. I commend you both for your long married life together. I often think of your aunt Hazel and uncle Roy McGonigle with fond memories.
May peace, strength, comfort and cherished memories surround all of you at this difficult time.
Sincerely Diane (Phillips) Clark
Woodstock
Cathy and family
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Gary your best friend and husband
I remember seeing you two back in the 70s. My thoughts are with you Cathy. Lois
I WORK WITH GARY AT BUDD AUTOMOTIVE. PLAYED BALL WITH HIM.HE WAS A GOOD PLAYER
REST IN.PEACE GARY.
Our sincerest condolences to Cathy, Cindy and all of Gary’s family. Cherish the memories. We are sitting here listening to Bob Seger and reminiscing about Gary.
Richard & Yvonne Hulley
Elora
Cathy , just heard of Garry’s departure .
My sincere condolence to you and your
extended family . al .
We are so sad to hear of Gary’s passing 😢 We had so many great times with the Eisler clan over the years – memories we cherish. Sending our love to Cate, Jon & Janelle and their families ❤️
My brother Mosie and I send our condolences to Cathy and family and Cindy and family. Our families where connected years ago thru My Uncle Johnnie and Jennie Muir and spent every Christmas Eve at neighbour of Jack and Doreen’s going door to door. Looked forward to talking to Gary every Remembrance Day at Seaforth Legion which he never missed. Rest In Peace Gary.
Our thoughts are with you in these difficult times. Enjoyed every moment I spent with Gary and know how much he will be missed. Thinking of all of you.
Dave and Joanne
Hi Kate, I’d like to offer our sincere condolences to you and your family. I have a lot of fond memories and he will be missed. Jim
Dear Cathy and family, Ken & Cindy,
Our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Treasure the Memories.
Sincerely Marlene & Dave
Cathy, Jonathan and Janelle, my heart hurts for you and your family. Gary was a fellow pilgrim on a quest for a place to happen in our youth. He’ll be fiercely missed by me so it’s hard for me to wrap my head around the size of the hole in you and your family’s life.
Hug your kids for me, Pat Malone
Sincerest condolences upon the passing of your beloved husband, Katie.
The Rau’s (Wee Lake neighbours)
We just heard about Gary and are so very sorry for your loss.
Dear Cathy & family. Just wanted to let you know you are in our thoughts & prayers at the very difficult time.
Brent,George & JoAnne McDonald
i will always remember how much you loved life, ,and how much u loved me my couisin gar/cuda…..to kate and family,im sorry for yr loss….love yas all so very much…xxoo…i will never forget you cuda ,see u on the other side soon ….xxxoooo now go my angel join our family,have another reunion and help yr children along there journey…love you Deb
So sorry to hear of cuda’s passing….I can only imagine the void you’re feeling right now but memories last forever.
Dear Cathy, Jeff and I were so saddened to hear of Gary’s passing. Sending you all our deepest Condolences and Prayers.
Katie and family So sorry to hear of Cuda’s passing. Great guy always a smile and willing to lend a hand to anyone. He will be sorely missed.
Deepest Sympathy dear Katie, kids and entire extended family & friends.
Beth Sweeney & Joe Boyle
To Cindy and family of Gary we are so sorry to hear the sad news of Gary’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karn Durdin and Don Thornton
Katie & family, sending my sincere condolences. CUDA will be missed very much 💗
I will always remember the times we had playing ball.rest in peace my friend.
No one had more zest for life than Cuda. I’m sure he’ll soon be playing baseball again somewhere.
Our hearts go out to Cuda’s beautiful adult children, Jon and Janelle who inherited their dad’s great big heart and giving spirit! They gave him four gorgeous grandchildren, Ben, Abby, Harry and Ava who believe their Papa is truly the sun and the moon and the stars and they have lived to share their individual talents with him during many sports events! And….for the love of Cuda’s life, “Katie” we hope that the lifetime of wonderful memories will allow you to heal.
You were loved by many…much more than you ever knew!
Run with the wind Cuda!
My deepest condolences to all the family.
Dear Cindy and Ken
So sorry to hear this sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My prayers are with the whole family. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for all. He will be truly missed
Pam and Ernie
Cuds, thank you for being a father to me – and I’m sure many many other people. I’ll forever miss our banter, and the love you have for your family. We will keep sitting on your front porch ❤️ forever loved & missed, never forgotten xo
So sorry to hear about your loss Cathy. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Gary was one of the first guys from the pony line that I had a beer with at Budd Canada when I started in 1997, Cuda was the new hire welding instructor, but I always said he couldn’t teach me anything I didn’t already know, he would growl a laugh and tell you off, he always had a good story of his hockey and ball days, great memories with a great man. Thoughts are with you Cathy and family. RIP Cuda.
Cathy, Jon, Janelle, Cindy, and Families:
There is nothing that I can do or say that will truly ease your hurting heart and spirit. Know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so very many family members and friends.
The wonderful thing about human beings is that each of us has our own memories of a person.
Gary Eisler was a genuine character; he was a solid human being; he possessed so many wonderful qualities.
Ralph Waldo Emerson described it best when he wrote:
“To laugh often and love much,
to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self;
to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
to know that even one life has breathed easier because you lived -
This is to have succeeded.”
My life was blessed and enriched because Gary was my friend and my cousin – I breathed easier because he lived – and I remain grateful for that gift.
If I have to boil it down to one – I will truly miss his hugs.
When Gary hugged it was an embrace of acceptance, affection, and strength…..and very few mortals I have encountered have the ability to give of themselves with such sincere intent and effect. In this harsh world, that embrace of safe harbour is gone, and that is a tremendous and heartbreaking loss.
Katie and family
So sorry for loss Cuda Will be missed by all
Always keep the good times close to your heart ❤️
Dear Cathy,Jonathon,Janelle and families-we were so very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Please accept our deepest condolences. Gordon & Laura
so sorry to hear of garys passing. always liked chatting to him at the legion about old times growing up in seaforth and about doreens antics during legion functions. it was always good for a laugh. he will be missed. gone but not forgotten.
Cathy, Jonathon, Janelle and family,
Our Condolences for your loss of Gary.
Hope all your great memories bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Doug & Sharon(McLaughlin)
Wolfe
Dear Ken Cindy. So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. My deepest condolences to you and all your family Rudy Mary
Dear Jon, Cathy, Ava, Harry and family. I’m sending sincere condolences on the loss of Gary. Thinking of the family at this very challenging time.
Sincerely.
Kristy Hardiman
Dear Cathy I’m so very sorry to hear of Gary passing he loved life and lived it to the fullest. For me remembrance day wont be the same without him.
My deepest condolences, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time ❤️🙏
Cathy & family…my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Gary. You have a Garden of Memories showered with a million tears! BLESSINGS to all. Sincerely, Barb Martz.
Our Condolences to you Cindy and the rest of your family. You have wonderful memories to help you through this time of grief. Hugs
Katie Jon Janelle and Erik and kids
We are so very sorry and sad to hear of Cuda’s passing
He was such a great person who loved to live life fully as he did
Great guy rip Cuda 🍺❤️🍺
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing, our deepest sympathy to the family .
So sorry to hear this news Thinking of the entire family, he was a great neighbour to us when we lived in Grand Bend Many hugs…💙
I remember Gary from my youth in Seaforth. He was a good guy and a heck of a pitcher on the mound. RIP Gary Cuda Eisler and God bless
Our deepest condolences to everyone!! Gary was well known and loved by everyone he will be deeply missed!! ♥️♥️♥️ Janice & Brett Finlayson
Our deepest condolences to everyone!! Gary was well known and loved by everyone he will be deeply missed!! ♥️♥️♥️
Cathy , Jonathan & Janelle
Our deepest sympathy on your loss . Know that you are in our prayers & thoughts. Cherish all the good memories & fun times.
May memories of happier times help with the grief and your loss. You remain in our prayers.
I am so sad to hear about Cuda’s passing. He was a great guy and loved having a good time. My heart goes out to all his family and friends. Sleep well Cuda!
My deepest condolences to you Cathy, to your family and to Gary’s sister Cindy.
My prayer are with you at this sad time.
Sincerely & with love
Karen Lehnen
Cathy, I am so very sorry for your loss! So many wonderful memories of our younger years and your amazing love story. He will live on in the beautiful family you created together. R.I.P. Cuda. 🌹
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. You have my sinccere condolences.
Sincere condolences to all the family. Gary will be missed by everyone who knew him. He always had a smile on his face.
Sending all our love to my favourite “Aunt” Katie, John, Janelle and family. Cuda will hold a special place in so many of our hearts forever. He’s truly unforgettable. 🤍🤍🤍🤍
Cathy , I am so sorry to hear about your hubby. Sending my condolences to you and your family.
I have many happy memories with cuda and Kate with some thierger summer sausage after a good party.RIP big cuda
Katie, Jon and Janelle…. We are saddened to hear about Cuda’s passing. We will forever hold many memories of his ability to make you laugh and smile. He was definitely a one of a kind.
We shared the same love Cuda had for the Detroit Red Wings and the Tigers. Our sincere condolences to the Eisler families, John and Jane
Gary will always be remembered for the many many memories we have of him. Condolences to the whole family at this time of saddness