Kyle Gardner, Eagle Lake Chiefs’ deadliest defense player #67, born and raised in Migisi Sahgaigan passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 18, 2020 at the age of 29.
Kyle is survived by his paternal grandparents; his Okomison Rose Gardner, his Omishomison Philip Gardner, his dog Makwa, his parents; Kenneth Gardner and Kathleen Chief, his siblings; brothers Kendall Gardner and Charlie Chief, sister Victoria Gardner-Anderson, nieces and nephews; Kiera, Bianka, Kierron and Zaira Chief as well as many aunts uncles and cousins who loved him dearly. Kyle is predeceased by his maternal grandparents Lucy Kelly and Tom Chief.
Kyle was born in Dryden, Ontario on September 25, 1990 to Kenneth Gardner and Kathleen Chief. He was raised by his paternal grandparents Philip and Rose Gardner in Migisi Sahgaigan. He graduated grade 12 and went to Red River College for an apprenticeship in carpentry. Kyle was also a guide at surrounding fishing resorts.
Kyle’s all-time favourite thing to do was to play hockey with the Chiefs. His teammates were his ‘Boys”. The boys did everything together, from hockey to golf to fishing. They would go to fly-in hockey tournaments in the north and travel to places like Las Vegas or Chicago. They also enjoyed a good bucket of skins from KFC together. Kyle liked to attend as many Winnipeg Jets games as he could. He didn’t only have one favourite Jets player, he liked them all!
Kyle loved his culture and traditions. He was a beautiful traditional style dancer at pow-wows. His feet flowed like the water to the beat of the drum. It was his peaceful place.
Kyle had a genuine soul and a heart made of gold. He would take the shirt off his back to make sure you were comfortable. He will be remembered by his sense of humour and gift of gab. Kyle could light up a room full of laughter for hours if you let him. He could also nurture you if you needed it with so much care and compassion.
A poem in his honour: The rink in the sky, that’s where I’ll go and fly with the ancestors I will soar. Creator’s fans will chant and roar because I’ll play the game I love. I’ll skate hard from above and if you look up at the clouds I’ll wave to you with my glove.
Condolences(3)-
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Lee-Anne Kelly says
May 24, 2020 at 5:12 pmOur deepest condolences to the family and community of Migisi Sahgaigan.Not only myself, but Kevin and Pamela knew and laughed many times with Kyle, he was a beautiful soul. Our thoughts And prayers are with everyone there at this time of such sorrow. Please accept our prayers for everyone to help give you the strength. Love you all.
Lee-Anne, Pamela & Kevin Kelly
London, Ontario
Louise Lulashnyk says
May 24, 2020 at 5:29 pmOn behalf of my son Aaron Belanger, we would like to express our sincerest heart felt condolences to Kyle’s grand parents; Philip and Rose, his parents Kenny and Kathleen, his siblings and to the community of Eagle Lake First Nation. We were very shocked and saddened to hear of his passing and we would have liked to have been able to travel out to the wake and funeral but as you all know, their are travel restrictions in place. RIP Kyle. ❤️
Patty Vann says
June 9, 2020 at 6:47 pmWe want to express our sincere condolences to the entire Gardner family . We are sorry we were not able to join you at Kyle’s wake and funeral but know we were there in thoughts and prayer. May you all be surrounded by Wonderful Memories of time shared with Kyle and may those memories bring you Peace. Patty Vann and Carl Eisener
Donations may be made to DRHC Mental Health & Addictions through the Dryden Community Funeral Home, 249 Grand Trunk Avenue, Dryden, ON P8N 2X3