Garry Robert Oswald passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 16th, 2024, in Oak View, CA. Whether you knew him as Garry, Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Godfather, Gazmate, Fingers, or one of the other many nicknames he collected over the years, he will be remembered for his kindness, respect for others, sense of humor, and his ability to offer the greatest support and advice.
Garry was born in Wimbledon, England on October 9th, 1948, where he lived until moving to Chingford at the age of 9. Garry found his love of soccer at a young age, playing as a boy through adulthood, until he had to retire his cleats and continue to cheer on his favorite team, West Ham United. As a teen, Garry also discovered a passion for music, playing guitar in his band, “The Cobblers.”
After graduating with a degree in construction from Tottenham Technical College in 1970, Garry began what would be an almost 50-year career as a commercial general contractor, working for MacLeod Construction, Dial Services, and finally serving as the president of his company GRD Construction for more than 30 years, before retiring in 2018. Garry was also a respected member of the Ventura County Contractors Association for 30 years, serving as a board member from 2000-2018, and president from 2006-2007.
While Garry was proud of his professional accomplishments, there is nothing that made him prouder than his family. Garry met his wife Christine in 1970, and they married February 17th, 1973 in Stanford-Le-Hope, England, and just celebrated 51 loving years of marriage together this year. Their son, Craig, was born in June 1975, and they lived in Stanford-Le-Hope until moving to America on Thanksgiving Day in 1977 and became citizens in 1989. The family first settled in Camarillo, until moving to Oak View in April 1985. They welcomed their daughter Kate just a month later in May. Garry and Christine raised their family in Oak View, eventually designing and building their dream home, where they have resided since 2003. Garry took the greatest pride in working hard to provide the best life he could for his family, and his wife and kids have many fond memories of vacations all over the world together. Garry’s daughter-in-law, Karen, officially joined the family in 1999, and Garry had the great honor of walking Karen down the aisle. In 2001, Garry was promoted to Grandpa and was thrilled to welcome his first grandchild Tyler, followed by his granddaughters Hannah in 2004, and Molly in 2013. He could be found at every school, sporting, or musical event he could get to, cheering on his grandkids with the greatest pride.
Outside of work and his family, Garry had many other interests, including music, painting, sudoku, reading, a good beer or whiskey, and a cigar. He loved feeding the many birds that made a home in their backyard, making sure to throw peanuts to the bluejays that greeted him every morning. You could find Garry at Ojai Pizza with his friend Martin on a Thursday, or down at the Ojai Valley Moose Lodge on Wednesdays with Craig and Tyler. Yet anyone that knew Garry would know his greatest pastime was a round of golf. Garry was a member of Las Posas Country Club for many years, spending Saturday mornings on the course and golf trips away in the desert with his friends Steve, Rich, and Dan. Eventually, Garry would join the men’s club at Soule Park Golf Course, playing every Wednesday and Sunday morning. While every golfer on that course would call Garry a friend, his son Craig would tell you that Garry was his best friend, and he loved playing golf while sharing whiskey and stories together every Sunday.
Garry is survived by his wife, Christine Oswald, son and daughter-in-law, Craig & Karen Oswald, daughter, Kate Dunlap, grandchildren Tyler and Hannah Oswald and Molly Dunlap, goddaughter Samantha Kester and godfamily Rick, Summer and Kai Nolette, as well as many other beloved relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Violet Oswald.
If Garry could have a final word with all of us, he would tell us all to stop making a fuss over him and “get on with it,” so to honor the joy and love that was Garry, a Celebration of Life will be held on October 11th, 2024 at 5 p.m. at Soule Park Golf Course. As Garry was known to be one of the greatest storytellers, everyone is invited to come and share a favorite story or memory you have with him. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that a donation be made in Garry’s honor to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.