Gerald "Gerry" Coaker

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gerald Coaker, at the age of 91, on January 10, 2026, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Hamilton after a brief illness. Gerald will be deeply missed by his children, Grant (Rosanne), Paul (Helen), and Verna (Peter); his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Nicholas, and Brandon; as well as his many nieces and nephews.

Gerald was the last surviving member of a family of 10 children, born to a working-class family in a small village in Devon, England. As a young boy, he earned a scholarship to attend the West Buckland boarding school. Following his graduation, he joined the Royal Air Force, completing his training at the NATO Air Navigation School in Winnipeg, and serving 11 years as a navigator. During his time in the RAF, he pursued correspondence courses and earned a degree from the London School of Economics.

In 1965, Gerald immigrated to Canada with his family, where he worked as an economist in the energy sector, holding positions at Shell Canada and the Ontario Natural Gas Association in Toronto. After retiring, he settled in Dundas and became a member of the local golf club, where he enjoyed playing alongside his beloved wife, Edna, who predeceased him in 2019. Gerald was a man of many talents and diverse interests. His hobbies included gardening, winemaking, crafting stained glass art, and woodworking, particularly furniture making. He and Edna shared a love of travel and enjoyed many adventures with longtime friends, exploring destinations around the world.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Amica, Hamilton General, and St. Peter's Hospitals for their compassionate care during Gerald's final days.

In keeping with Gerald's and the family's wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Gerald may be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation.