James Albert Gerry

Predeceased by two of his children Peter and Barbara Jane, and his beloved wife Pat, he is survived by his daughter Sandy (Ian) and his son Robert (Kathy), eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Jim lived a full life. Growing up in Saskatchewan, he spent his summers helping out at his parents’ farm and worked his way through university as a sleeping car conductor. After graduating, he started his first job in Lemburg, Saskatchewan, teaching maths and sciences for grades 7 to 10. It was at this time that he married the love of his life, Patricia. They lived in a small teacherage on the school grounds.

Just a year later, Jim decided to go into medicine, and they moved to Winnipeg, Over the next 8 years and several moves later, they settled in Sarnia, Ontario, where Jim started his medical career.

Jim always said that if he hadn’t gone into medicine, that he would have become a farmer. Hence, our first home was a hobby farm. We were blessed with remarkable childhoods, providing us with memories of rich, magical experiences – picnics, tractor rides, camping, nature, rock hounding, skating rinks, sleigh rides, musicals, theatre, books, concerts, pigs, roosters, bunnies and of course Shep, our dog.

After 8 years of general practice, Jim decided to specialize in anesthesiology. In 1969, hearing of an opening in Victoria, the whole family was western bound! It was here that he started working at the new open-heart program at the Jubilee hospital.

Jim always had a project on the go, from home renovations to volunteering with the museum archives and the church. He valued family, friends, education and tradition.

Being a child at heart, Jim was always cracking a joke. He loved the merriment of Christmas, decorating the house inside and out, gift opening and plum pudding!

When Jim retired at age 70, he filled his hours gardening, golfing and motor homing with Pat. Each grandchild was given a special trip with them on their own in the motor home, back to their roots in Saskatchewan, or exploring new places. Such a remarkable opportunity for bonding!

“How lucky we are to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

We will not be having a service for Dad but will be gathering for his interment next to mom at the Ross Bay Cemetery on his 99th birthday, May 28th.