UPDATED: Gary Atcheson Passes

Published: March 3, 2009 10:27 am EST

Exhibition Park Raceway today announced the sudden passing of Gary Atcheson, a Saint John, NB horse

owner and entrepreneur. Atcheson, 52, passed away during the afternoon of Monday, March 2.

Atcheson, who was one of the newest owners on the Saint John racing scene, owned a number of horses in whole or in part which were stabled at the Earl Fram stable. He had made a significant investment in the industry over the past year and will be missed by his friends in the racing business.

Among horses owned by Atcheson were two-year-olds Black Dragon and Red Arrow, along with the tough campaigner Allamerican Caras. He also held minor shares in Falcons Kwik, Stagecoach Gambler and Bold Ryan.

This year, Atcheson was to receive the Owner of the Year Award at a banquet later in the spring. This will be presented to members of his family at the annual awards banquet of the Saint John Harness Horsemen’s Association at a later date.

Atcheson burst onto the racing scene through Gordon White, a longtime owner that introduced his cousin to the race game and he immediately was drawn to the industry. He was a vocal presence at local horsemen’s meetings and was present at the formation meeting of Horse Racing New Brunswick.

Trot Insider has received an obituary for Atcheson, which appears below. The obituary contains arrangements.

Please join Standardbred Canada and EPR in offering condolences to the friends and family of Gary Atcheson.


With extreme sadness, the family of Gary Atcheson announce his sudden passing on Monday, March 2, 2009 at the Saint John Regional Hospital.

He was born in Saint John, on August 21, 1956 to Marjorie (Sutton) Atcheson and the late Arthur Atcheson. Gary was a lifelong west side resident and enjoyed a varied career working at Irving Oil, Point Lepreau, Lafarge and Canada Post in the early years.

Currently, he owned and operated Practical Auto/Rent-A-Wreck on Seaton Street in the city with his sons. Gary enjoyed his volunteer work with the NB Heart Support Group having been recently elected to its executive. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially the good trips he took on his Harley.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jacqueline 'Jackie' (nee Arseneau); three sons: Adam (Jill) of Breton, AB, Mark (Heather) of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB and Matthew (Laura) of Lepreau, NB; one daughter: Heather Atcheson of Saint John, NB; four sisters: Karen Foley (Nic), Debbie King, Tanya Murphy (Ken) and Charlene King; one brother Johnny King (Andrea); three grandchildren: Mariah, Nicholas and Jacob Atcheson and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Those who knew Gary, knew he was a force of nature and lived life in forward motion, never looking back. Gary helped many people and was a great friend to all who knew him. He will be sadly missed.

Resting at Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424), with visiting on Wednesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Thursday from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Rose of Lima Church on Friday, March 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Interment in Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery at a later date. For those who wish, remembrances may be made to the NB Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Children’s Wish Foundation.

(EPR)

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