Man with heart of gold remembered
Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter
His rough-looking exterior may have had a few people turn away, but his heart of gold was what drew people to Glen ‘Guido’ Garland. Garland, 48, was a well-known face in and around Strathmore and Wheatland County, often seen travelling with his Yorkie Harley, who was also always dressed to ride.
Last Tuesday, June 3, Garland was in Caresland preparing the land for his second annual Ride Dogs Ride Motorcycle Poker Run, which raises funds for the Calgary Humane Society, when tragedy struck.
He was using a bobcat to level out land designated for the children’s carnival, but the machine was having mechanical problems. When he got out to check the problem he was crushed by its bucket.
Garland’s wife Diana and their five children quickly agreed that the Ride Dogs Ride Poker Run will still go on this August 2-3.
“There was no doubt in our minds that it was going to happen, it was going to happen one way or another, but I think it’s really important because it was what he did full time and it was what he was passionate about, and I think for us, that’s what his legacy is,” said his daughter Daphne.
Even the day that she and her family had found out about the accident she was in a meeting with Wheatland County going over details for the August event.
“It’s how my dad was it was just push through, he always said build a bridge and get over it, so that’s what we’re doing. It is so true, we just have to build a really big bridge this time,” said Daphne.
“He worked so hard at this, he would roll in his grave if he knew that we stopped,” said his son Munden.
“He was such a great guy, there’s not even a word that can describe him.”
In 2009 Garland got ill with H1N1, and had not been able to fully return to work since. That’s when he jumped right into the world of fundraising and volunteering every chance he could.
“I think he genuinely knew what his passion was and unlike most people he actually followed through,” said Munden.
Garlands passion was animals and bikes, and it was a passion he combined when he created Ride Dogs Ride, which sells ‘biker apparel’ for your dog.
On June 29 there will be a Celebration of Life block party fundraiser with a silent auction, raffles, outdoor BBQ, bike wash and more. The event will be held at the Strathmore Hotel (the green bar) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The fundraiser is to help ease some of the financial burden of Garland’s widow Diana, so that she can focus on emotionally healing, without having the added worry of financial stress. Anyone wishing to donate can do so by contacting either Strathmore Pawn and Collectables, or the Strathmore Hotel. To buy tickets for the Ride Dogs Ride Poker Run go online at www.ridedogsride.com.