Gerald Joseph Antonio Gauthier

Most recently a long time resident of Westbank, BC, Gerry was born in 1942 in Baie-du- Febvre, Quebec. With service to his country in mind (and growing out of his small town roots), Gerry embarked upon a career in the Canadian Armed Forces at the age of 17, and served his country faithfully for 34 years, until his retirement in 1994. On his career journey, Gerry was able to see the country and the world, and while stationed at Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh, New York, he met his wife Linda Marie (Paolini), where they married in 1965. The adventure continued as children James (1966) and Kenneth (1970) arrived, and postings around Canada ensued. Along the way, Gerry managed to achieve a Degree in Language Arts from Mount Allison University. In 2004, Gerry and Linda moved from Quebec to Westbank, BC to be closer to their son Ken and new grandchildren Lily (2001) and Nolan (2003). Both Lily and Nolan grew up with Gerry in their lives and will forever remember the wit, humour and love of ‘Papere’.

Gerry is survived by his son Ken and his family; and was grateful to experience the wedding to his daughter-in-law Stephanie Gauthier in Kelowna in August of 2021, and his bonus grandson Levi. Gerry is also survived by his loving sister Claudette and her husband Romeo (Dionne) and nephew Jean-Pierre (Dionne) all of Quebec City, his loving brother Jean-Guy Gauthier and his wife Francine Elie of Montreal, and nephews Alexandre and Etienne Gauthier and their families of Trois-Rivières. Gerry is further survived by his loving brother-in-law Anthony Paolini and his wife Doreen and their family (niece Monica Paolini, nephews Joe and Anthony Paolini and their families) and his sister-in-law Joanne Diaz (Paolini) and her husband Tony Diaz and their family (nieces Lisa and Janine and their families), all of Newburgh, NY.

Gerry was sadly predeceased by his son James in 1978, and wife Linda in 2018. Gerry was also predeceased by his father Clovis and mother Yvette (Lemire) Gauthier, sister Genevieve Gauthier, and mother-in-law Josephine (Tripodi) Paolini and father-in-law Joseph Paolini.

A lover of all things related to his genealogy, Gerry retired from the military to invest countless hours in understanding and mapping his ancestry, to share his deep sense of identity with his family and well beyond. We all know who we are, and where we came from, thanks to Gerry’s tireless efforts. With a cracking sense of humour, Gerry was the life of many a party and family gathering, and his self-deprecating, curmudgeonly and edgy commentary on all manner of current events will be sorely missed. The global supply of authentic (from Quebec only) maple syrup will surely rebound as Gerry’s affinity for the golden nectar was legendary.

Special thanks to all the staff at Kelowna General Hospital for their exemplary care during Gerry’s short and sudden visit; you made his transition peaceful. Further gratitude is extended to the Team at First Memorial, who have always taken care of things in our time of need.

Gerry moved on to join his beloved wife Linda and son Jimmy, on what would have been Linda’s 77th birthday. To commemorate Gerry, the family asks that you raise a glass of cheap whiskey somewhere between 3-5pm every December 13th (a shot of maple syrup is a suitable substitute for those who can’t get past the cheap whiskey, but know that Gerry will be making fun of you!).

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299