John Gerhard Gallagher

Gerry was born John Gerard Gallagher on December 1, 1925, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He spoke often about how much his father, Wilfred, loved his mother, Kathleen. He had a brother, who got him his career start, and a sister who lived in Florida.

Gerry got his driver's licence in an old pick up truck with a wooden crate for a seat. He joined the navy at age 17, ruptured his ears diving off the deck of the ship into the Atlantic, and was captain for a day once - he liked to joke that he was owed back pay for that honour. He had a few favourite wartime stories he liked to tell, and was proud of his service.

He would often say that never worked a day in his life, he loved his job that much. He drove a truck for a living, and retired with a perfect driving record. He liked to wear his Million Mile Club belt buckle, cowboy boots, and never left home without one of his many trucker hats. In his later years, he traded the boots for sneakers, but never left home without a hat.

My dad was a gentleman; kind, fearless, generous, and funny. He showed me that you can pick the family you want, the joy of giving without expectation, and the secret to a long happy life - which is to do what you like, help others when you can, and to not stress about any of it.

He would often smile and sigh and say, memories, you need to collect lots when you’re young so you have them to look back on later in life. He definitely had a bunch that he shared, and I know just as many that he did not share. His early days were colourful.

Gerry passed away peacefully while being read to. He had had a major heart attack and probably would have been just fine, had it happened even a few years earlier - because up until his 98th birthday he was still kind of invincible.

Thank you to the incredible nurses and doctors at Royal Inland Hospital and the phenomenal team at Kamloops Hospice. His stay in both locations was short.

I’m so incredibly grateful to have been his chosen daughter. So lucky to have had the chance to choose him as my dad. He will be profoundly missed. Love you, Ger.