I was a student of Gerald’s when I attended the Langara College Fine Art program.  Gerald taught design and he did it with passion. Passion is how I remember him. He taught with energy and flair. He was one of the best teachers I had in the art program and certainly the best design teacher. I still remember his voice and a number of the design principles he taught. He was a highlife of the time I spent at Langara. 

Back in late 2017 I was suppose to have lunch with Gerald but I couldn’t connect with him. I suspected his health was the blame. I wish I could have seen him but it didn’t work out. 

You were a good teacher, Gerald. Now I teach art and I have carried forward some of your teachings to my art students. 

He was my design prof in the late 80s. I remember the first time I met him - he interviewed me for entrance to art school. Gerald’s kindness and gentleness were magnificent. He just crossed my mind for some reason. I was thinking about sculpture. And there he was, his teachings and his voice - still guiding my thoughts and the way I understand these things. What a gift to have known him and been his student. Sending love to his family and friends.

gerald was my design teacher in 1985 at langara --- he interviewed me for art school ---he never asked to see my portfolio saying if you want to get into art school you'll bring some great works whether they are yours or not --- so do you want to go to art school? --- of course i did so i got in !!! ---  i was an older student so i knew exactly what he meant and yes, all the pieces in portfolio were mine!

Hi, can anyone please get me in touch with his Maltese family via email please?

Farewell Sensei Gerald, I am sure you are rocking the upper spheres as you rocked this one.  Thanks for your attentive guidance as teacher since 1973 at Langara.

I am so very grateful to have intuitively knocked on your door, grocery bags in hand, several months ago. There you were peering through the glass. I had so hoped we would have more time together. I will miss your sweet and honest companionship. You alone taught me the color wheel. Rest for alittle while then take up your spirited garments as we all must do. You have gone beyond before us.  You are dancing in the light, fresh and free as a beam of joy.

I have such fond memories of my all too brief visits with Geraldus. He was a wonderful host to my family when we would come down to the coast to visit him and Grace. Our visit to Pender when my daughters were young is a vivid memory I will always cherish. He took us crab fishing and delighted in showing my girls all the nooks and crannies of Pender island and the magical oasis that was his home there. He treated my girls as 'goddesses' in keeping with his theme of having a goddess in each building at Pender.
He had an enthusiasm for life that I have never met in another human being. He seemed to embody the saying Carpe Diem.
To those closest to him, I offer my heartfelt condolences 
He was a special kind of man. I feel privileged to have known him.


Geraldus, dear brother. You opened your heart and home to me and all my family from the day we first arrived in Canada. You loaned us Alexander's crib for Zuleika , you made us fabulous Sunday meals while our children played and you read us poetry by Hafiz. We relished in the beauty of your spirit houses, your home, your soul. Thank you for the joy and delight in life that you shared in so many ways. May your journey home joyful and quick. We will miss you very much and hope we can stay in touch with Alexander. Ill

Hi Geraldus
May you have peace and God's Blessings in the next World,
Hanafi

For many years Gerald and I shared both an office and design classes in Langaras Fine Arts Program. He had over the years filled the office with so many inspiring treasures from nature, from life.  On the walls and shelves were numerous examples of the most gorgeous objects, student exercises, amazing colour, texture, pattern studies and, of course, the many and varied colour wheels
All of this plus seeing him in action as a teacher showed me how inspiring he was to his students and how he was so inspired by them and their creativity. It was a very special time and Gerald a very special teacher and guide.

Over those years my wife and family all got to know Gerald as a very delightful and special friend. Gerald  will be missed by us all.

Daryl and Shirlee Plater and Family


Dear Gerald

You were a such a lovely guy and I'm so glad I've met you. You inspired me by your warm heart and you surprised me with your own beautiful sense. 
This world is a little bit gray and boring without you but you left loves a lot here and spreading in heaven now?  :)
Love, 
Miwa

Gerald, you had a heart as big as the sun. You were a great teacher and a lovely friend.   Thank you for putting a little light into our lives and for reminding us there are better colours for a house than grey or beige.   Nos vemos, amigo.

Geraldus, you were an inspiration and lover of beauty in all its forms. I have no doubt you have moved into eternity like a burst of light  Ramon

Gerald-- You touched so many lives and inspired/guided creativity in myself as well as many others...May you fly in heaven with the angels...
Deb


Friend, neighbour, teacher, will always remember your mischevious and fun spirit.  After all the spirit houses you built you will now find the exact one of your own desire, making and choice to carry on your creative loving visions.  You will be missed.  And it is sad to feel you leave so young.  Into the light, take flight.  Haneefa

You will always have a special place in my heart...may God bless you carissimo Geraldus

My dear, dear brother Geraldus..
such a kind..fiercely caring and compassionate samaritan of a man..
Known since 1981 after Bapak left Vancouver and my parents had stayed with him on their mission to seed a new Wisma Mulia-type Subud community in the west..but for which most then were not yet ready..
Meeting Geraldus as a fellow part Mediterranean man myself in part - created a strong bond. 
I visited him episodically for 30 years from 1981-2011 when I relocated to Vancouver..and his Ash-ram axis in order to  live close by..
His warmth, kindness, generosity of spirit, nobility of purpose..learning and lack of tolerance for fools..bigots..selfishness or any sense of superiority in any realm made him as for all of us a very dear companion on The Road..
The path of Subud was certainly central for him..but it did not close him off in any way from other living strands..the love of Rumi..love poetry..Buddhist compassion..or even intensely catholic iconography! Certainly his spirit houses were and are a legacy on the home-house-vessel as container for the spirit..
Latterly as his health detirorated we spent 1-2 hours daily, sharing any/all insights.. Yes he grew somewhat curmudgeonly..God seemed to have let him down with all this aspirant hope..singed by bodily suffering. But I felt to remind him that this too was about his shedding his skin before leaving for the Great Life!
This went on  for several months - was @ times extremely intense..positively and negatively..just was the real love and respect we had for one another.
I said goodbye to him as I set out on my journey of discernment Dec.15th to WA, OR and extensively in CA.. I think we both knew as I knelt beside him and said goodbye that if we didn't see each other again in this then in the next Life.. that this was it! He pleaded that I stay for tea..! but I had to be on my way into my journey.
He would applaude that focus and openness to letting everything go - being cut loose as I have been in order to discern my next 'arena'.
He remains one of my true brothers for eternity.
I will deeply miss our daily visits @ 3500 and Starbucks..the sound of his voice, the gentle welcome @ the front door..!
all my love, respect and God's blessings for his new Life - shriven at last and forgiven his mistakes. Most of all rewarded for his humanity, great love and compassion that he spread all around in this life. I feel he may have been surprised by the reception he has received as he crossed over into that Great Life!
Luqman

Gerald touched so many hearts with his generosity and vibrant spirit.  He Taught me how to see the beauty all around me and in my self.  I'm forever grateful for his support. 
Wrapping Alex and all family and friends with a big hug!
 I know wherever you are Gerald that your Spirit shines Brightly.

Gerald; Creative Soul, Benevolent Friend;  I will remember you always for your inspiring and joyous nature. You have enriched my life; former student, friend, and ceramic guru

I'd known you my whole life, or at least as long as I can remember. You were always there with a smile, a squeeze, and a laugh. You let me know I mattered and was valued. I hope I did the same for you. You did. You do.

Fly free, brother....into the light of love.

Geraldus, on top of his wonderful qualities was a great artist. Among other art, he created between 350 and 400 different houses which were in the spirit of Dwellings' because each had a special significance or meaning or philosophical story behind to tell whomever searched truly to find dreams, poems and fables. I admired him greatly. Indeed as artists we had a profound complicity and deep friendship. We vowed to meet in the other promised reality.

I was privileged to have Geraldus as my teacher from 1975 to 1977. He opened my eyes to the world of magic in art and this has served me all my life. The last few years we had much more time to be friends on beautiful Pender Island which he brought me to and where he always felt healed after his stay.  Geraldus, your next journey will be just as full of wonder as the one you're leaving. We will miss you and your humor and wisdom. Fly high dear friend. Love to you Alex.

Gerald was a gentle soul and rare human being. I knew him for a number of years and every memory and conversation I can think of reminds me of his good nature, kindness, generosity, wisdom, sense of humour, and love of fun, arts and beauty.  Condolences to Alexander, his family and  and all those who share this loss.

I will always remember you, Gerald! Enjoy this New Chapter and the Journey that await you! 
James Yu (former student and friend)

Gerald, with your humour and sparkle, your kindness and sincerity, thoughtfulness, depth and compassion, you made this world a better place. 

Mon cher et tendre ami,  Va, va sur ton chemin, il est déjà tout tracé et t'amènera chez ton vrai chez-toi. Là, tu y trouveras la paix et l'amour. N'aie pas peur, nous ne t'oublierons pas car tu nous as laissé des souvenirs inoubliables. Tu nous quittes mais tu resteras dans nos coeurs à jamais.

Dearest Geraldus,
You were always a God Send to the many that depended on your observations and advice, always spiritual.  Even in your weakened times you cared for my family with visits and phone calls and have been my best friend for 48 years.  May the Gates of Heaven have opened wide when you arrived.  Much love always,
Maya, Robert, Randolph and Ed Jordan  (Vancouver, Islands and Montreal QC)

I had the great pleasure of working along side Gerald in the Langara Fine Arts Department from 1984 -1999.  He was a beautiful treasure of a human.  Kind, funny but always with brilliant insights into all aspects of existence.  He had a wonderful habit of referring to his colleagues  as "Master" which of course was reciprocated back.  It made for a very collegial work environment.  I spoke with him in November and he was still his irrepressible self, despite his health.  A shining example of how to spend time on this blue ball.  My life and the lives of thousands of students is richer for being in his glow.  Good bye Master, you are loved and missed.

Geraldus was always welcoming, fun to be with, had a loving and generous heart and many times offered his home for us to share at times when we were in Vancouver.  He would extend himself as far as possible to be caring of us even in the years when he was not always feeling great. His great meals made with organic produce were yummy and healthy.  His many trinkets reminded me of my brother, Rusdi and that made him even more special to me.  I will always remember him fondly and dare say I will not go to Vancouver without thinking of him.  Lovingly Salamah Dick LeClaire

Sincere condolences to Gerald's family, friends and to Subud Vancouver members, for the loss of a dear Brother, in Gerald. I was honored to meet him once, some years ago. May GOD bless his soul eternally and may his return journey be guided smoothly. Amin

Geraldus will always be remembered. May his spirit brighten those in his new life. Farewell my friend.

Forever and always in my heart.  I will always see your smile, your eyes full of light, feel your warm hug around me.
Until we meet again ...be in peace.
My Love, always. 
Halimah

Blessings and the grace for a pure heart and human wisdom to guide your way onward dear Gerald.

I will keep a loving memory of our dear friend Gerald,who always brightened my spirits and enhanced my view of life. 
My love and condolences to his son Alexander and to his family and friends.

My condolences and may God always keep you in his eye

I have know Geraldus for many years as a friend, fellow artist and art teacher, Subud brother, and landlord to my ex husband and son Marcus during a time when they needed housing (I was in Ottawa finishing my training for ministry with the United Church).  Geraldus was a very gifted artist and art teacher, a caring father to his son Alexander, and he had a great sense of humour!  I will miss him and pray that he finds his way in the next world with as much humour and integrity as he did in this one.

My condolences and love to Alexander and all your extended family at the loss of our friend-like-a-brother Geraldus.  Peace be upon his soul. His open-heartedness and creativity embraced all in his sphere. He is missed, and will be remembered in the days to come.

OBITUARY

Gerald John Formosa

8 March, 1939 – 9 January, 2018

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