Gerald "Jerry" Mitchell

Gerald (Jerry) A. Mitchell passed away peacefully on March 29, 2016 at RVHC-Centenary with his wife Cathy and daughters Caroline and Jocelyne at his side. Jerry was a kind, gentle, loving and patient human being whose love of life and perseverance changed everyone he met.

Jerry was born in Kingston, Jamaica to Lena (nee Donaldson) and Stanford Mitchell on September 22, 1951. He immigrated to Canada in 1967 and was a proud Canadian citizen living mostly in Toronto. An accomplished artist, he was also a draftsman, took courses in construction management and passed the qualifying Custom Broker designation courses and exam while working for Livingston International in 1994. Jerry also took courses for several years at the college level in Management and conversational French.

Always concerned for others and willing to share his time, he volunteered as a tutor for a community literacy program, did telephone contact for Big Brothers and office work to assist with the immigration of the Falashas from Ethiopia to Israel and in the early 90’s was a foster parent with the Catholic Children’s Aid Society.

His wife Cathy (nee Morin) whom he married in 1989 was his cherished companion. A true partnership, Cathy and Jerry had a close, loving relationship, were very protective of each other and treasured their time together. They were great friends. Their two children, Caroline, born in 1990 and Jocelyne, in 1994 were his pride and joy. His family was first and foremost in his life. He was a wonderful father and discovered the world of children’s activities offered in and about the GTA. With family memberships at various times with the Toronto Zoo, the Conservation areas, the AGO and the McMichael Collection, he spent most weekends taking his family to places which included Bruce’s Mill, Kortright, and Pioneer Village when health issues allowed. Each Saturday morning included a trip to St Lawrence Market where he and his children ordered concoctions of healthy fruits and vegetables and then topped up his maple syrup supply which to the delight of the children included a maple candy each. He made kites, taught the kids to ride bikes, and made wooden scooters with the children. He and the girls planted vegetables each spring and tended them until they could be harvested and eaten. He learned to swim, tried skating and took part in family cross-country skiing by using a kick-sled and coached Jocelyne’s soccer team. As the kids grew up he chauffeured the girls and their friends to events and outings any chance he could.

Each year Jerry paid a visit to Lac Beaulieu, where he fished with the girls and became a welcome part of Maniwaki life. Among Jerry’s many other interests, he liked to play the horses now and then, loved spectator sports and meticulously built and ran model trains. Jerry could often be found at the computer with his head phones on listening to music and watching videos on YouTube. He loved road trips and with his family went regularly to Montreal and Ottawa, Niagara Falls and Buffalo and a few longer trips to Florida and BC. He was a long term member of his gym, Variety Village which he attended three times per week and on the off days, rode his stationary bike. He was a movie buff and was always ready to go at a moment’s notice.

An industrial accident when he was 25 slowed him down but it was his more than 30 year battle with sarcoidosis that placed almost insurmountable obstacles in his path and finally stopped him. As a result of sarcoidosis, he developed pneumonia and though he put forth a month-long valiant effort, he was unable to recover.

Jerry had many siblings including Fred, Clive, Sybil, Noel, Angela, Garnet, Grace, and Paul and will be missed by his many nieces and nephews: Angel + Darnell, Nicole, Tasha + Aaliyah, Kanisha, Chris, Quincy, Lance, Chenise, Tiku, Latissa Kibibi + Olivia, Mekiri, Andre, Brian and Peter as well as his uncle Clive Lee of Jamaica.

He was also very close to his in-laws having been welcomed into the family by Bernie and Barb Morin and will be missed by Tony, Jan Silver (Jack), Sue Trevor (Ian), and his nieces and nephews, Lori and Emily, Dylan and Daniel – and also missed by Jackie, Brigitte, Terry, Elwood, Josee and Donato.

Jerry was an optimist who lived with dignity and was full of respect and warmth for others. He forged ahead through all the obstacles and made sure every moment of his life was lived. He was an extraordinary man who will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his many family members and close friends.

Family and friends may gather for a Memorial Visitation at Giffen-Mack Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 4115 Lawrence Ave. E. Scarborough, ON. (one block west of Kingston Road), on Sunday April 3, 2016 at 1:00pm. A Memorial Service will follow in the Giffen-Mack Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to:

Variety Village:

http://www.varietyvillage.ca/give/

OR

Canadian National Sarcoidosis: http://www.nationalsarcoidosisorganization.com/

would be appreciated by the family.