Gerald Wilson

WILSON, Gerald – Peacefully at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice, with his children by his side on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the age of 78. Beloved husband of the late Karen Wilson. Loving father of Susan Brandow (Eric), Michael, Lisa Boughton (Chris), Pam Mosekjaer (Paul) and Lianne Cowieson (Brian). Proud grampa of Alex and Danielle Brandow, Michael and the late Morgan Wilson, Jack and Sam Boughton, Grant, Brian and Kevin Mosekjaer and Lauren and Leah Cowieson. Dear brother of Barb Beckett (late Bud), John Wilson (Marj), Fran Ritchie (Hugh), Joe Wilson (Sue) and Ernie Wilson (Karen). Brother-in-law of Steve Lidster (Deb). Friends may visit at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, June 8, 2017 from 6 – 9 pm. Funeral service in the chapel on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 11 am. Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Memorial contributions to ARCH would be appreciated by the family. The family would like to thank everyone at ARCH for their kindness, compassion and extraordinary care.

Gerry was born and raised in Sault Ste Marie, he was one of six children. As a young person Gerry had been in cadets. When he was old enough Gerry joined the military and trained as a meterological technican. It was during this time that he met his future wife. Gerry was posted at Trenton and Karen was working in a restaurant on the base. They began dating and eventually were married. During his time in the military Gerry had played football. He liked all sports but football was always his favourite.

When his enlistment was up Gerry and Karen returned to the Sault and Gerry began work at Algoma Steel working in electrical maintenance for over twenty five years. When he hurt his back at work he had to retire, but he never quit working. He worked for the commissioniares doing security at the Airport and drove the shuttle for the Holiday Inn. He and Karen liked this job as it gave him discounts at hotels when they travelled. He had also worked at the courthouse.

Karen and Gerry had five children Susan, Michael, Lisa, Pam and Lianne. He was a very hands on dad always involved in his children’s lives. He was also an amazing role model for them. He coached Michael’s hockey; he taught them so many things, he encouraged them and supported them and loved them. They always knew they could count on him. For a while they had a camp but it got to be too much so they sold it and put a pool in their backyard instead.

Gerry was also grandfather to eleven grandchildren, Alex, Danielle, Michael, Morgan, Jack, Sam, Grant, Brian, Kevin, Lauren and Leah. Sadly Morgan passed away at a very young age. He would do anything for them and they knew it. He went to any and all of their sporting events for those who lived in the Sault. For all of them he never missed a graduation. Gerry valued education and wished he had been able to go further in school so he encouraged his children and grandchildren to continue their education. He enjoyed the time he was able to spend with these special young people in his life.

Gerry would talk to his grandchildren about everything from Beyonce to politics and sports. He was extremely well read and retained almost everything he read. He read books on history and sports and read the newspaper every day from cover to cover. He may not have had as much formal education as he would have liked but he was a knowledgeable and intelligent person.

Family was the focus of Gerry’s life. He spent a great deal of time socializing with his siblings. The family gathered every Sunday at his parents home at 278 North Street for dinner and that tradition continued in his own family. He enjoyed playing cards with them and horseshoes or just chatting. He taught, by his example, the importance of being a family to his children.

Gerry liked to bowl. Sports was his thing and he knew the stats for so many teams and not just the recent stats but the historical ones too. He cheered for all the Toronto teams, the Leafs, the Jays, the Argonauts. He liked watching sports on television. He actually went to two Grey Cups, one out west where he just drove to watch the game and then came home and one he and Michael went to in Ottawa.

Gerry was very handy and could fix just about anything, but for someone who enjoyed reading he never liked to read the instructions. He liked to travel especially to warm climates and over the years he and Karen did a fair amount of travelling. They spent several winters in Texas and made friends there. He and Karen had enjoyed dancing too. Gerry enjoyed yard work and gardening. He grew tomatoes, not surprising since his favourite meal was pasta. He was just growing some of the raw ingredients.

Gerry was a very patient and kind man. He was quiet and reserved, a gentle soul, a man who always looked just so. Gerry was a gentleman who worked hard all his life. He had arthritis for many years and lived with chronic pain. He never complained and never missed a day at work at Algoma Steel until he hurt his back. He could be stubborn or determined or strong willed, whichever word you choose, but he probably had to be to cope with the pain he had and to do what had to be done. He could be quite funny at times but when it happened you really were not expecting it. He was a man of few words but when he spoke you listened.

In 2009 he lost his Karen and he was lonely and missed her a great deal. He stayed in their house and that was imporant to him. This year his health had been declining and it was with the support of his family he was able to stay in his home, until the last five days when he went to ARCH.

Good morning, my name is Lisa Boughton. I am Gerry's middle child. Although this is a difficult time for all of us here today, I am grateful for the opportunity to say goodbye to Dad, Grampa, Gerry.

Family was central to how Dad lived his life. He was a devoted husband, brother, father and grandfather. He played a large role in many people's lives.

Dad was a devoted and loving husband who enjoyed travelling with Mom. Whether it was a trip down south to enjoy the sunny weather or a trip to Ottawa to visit family, Dad was up for it. Dad was always up to visiting new places - just ask anyone about Mom and Dad's trip to Portugal.... When Dad rented a car to travel around Portugal, he discovered he didn't know how to put the car in reverse. Dad had to ask people to push the car so he could get it in a position where he could drive the car forward. I'm pretty sure he spent more time finding the right parking spot rather than seeing the sites. And the Hoover Dam, let me just say, that I do not ever need to see the Hoover Dam in person. Dad took enough pictures to wallpaper a small mansion.

He was best friends with his brothers and sisters. Uncle John tells me that even as a child, he and Dad had all the same friends, played the same sports, and even joined cadets at the same time. As adults, Dad and his siblings got together regularly to play cards and eat dinner. I distinctly remember many gatherings where the family got together to help each other out - from building a deck to renovating a basement, the siblings were always there for one another. Growing up, we learned that being part of a large family meant helping out whenever needed. Dad’s emphasis on family has been passed down to me and my siblings - we all help each other out as best we can - that's just part of being family - one of the best things.

After Mom died, we all got to know Dad in a different way. My phone calls to Mom where Dad simply listened until saying "bye", became lengthy phone calls with Dad chatting away. Who knew he had so much to say!? It has been a privilege to have this time with Dad - both over the phone and in person over the past few years. I came to appreciate him as never before. He provided timely and relevant advice after I regaled him with stories of Jack and Sam's escapades. Dad would laugh and say "they're only

kids, Lisa, have some patience.” I'm sure I provided endless hours of entertainment for Dad.

He had endless patience with all of us as he taught us how to ride a bike, swim, or throw a baseball. The only time Susan remembers him getting angry was when he had to drive the car home from White Pines…… in reverse!

Dad encouraged all of us children to reach for our dreams. It was oft heard in our house that "what the mind can conceive, the body will achieve." As I struggled through university that phrase motivated me to persevere and get through it. Mom and Dad were right - just that once!

Dad was proud of all his children and grandchildren. His relationship with each child and grandchild was unique. One of my favourite activities with Dad was an early morning tennis game followed by breakfast and a swim - it was special to me that Dad made time for me in his busy day to do something we both enjoyed.

Dad was many things to each grandchild - mentor, chauffeur, babysitter, teacher, cheerleader, spectator and role model. He was patient with each of them, they felt loved and respected by Grampa. He took the time and made the effort to have a "true conversation" with the grandchildren. No matter what they talked about, he was patient. The way he listened made each grandchild feel that they were the most important person in the world. He encouraged them to push themselves and try new things. He made time to go out for lunch or to teach them new things – like backward dives into the pool, handstands on the pool ladder, or climbing monkey bars.

Patience was a virtue that Dad demonstrated daily; he was even patient with the Leafs, as a die hard fan he had been waiting 50 years to see the Leafs win another Stanley Cup. Dad was always up to date on all of his sports statistics, ERA’s of most of the Blue Jays heavy hitters, the goals against average of his favourite goalies, and passer ratings of quarterbacks. Not to mention his insight into what the Hounds should and shouldn’t be doing on the ice.

We all have our own memories of Dad and will miss him in our own way. I have a favour to ask of you…. take a moment to think of what it is that will remind you of Dad, Grampa, Gerry……. It will be different for each of us… It might be his smile, his laugh, his generosity, his Sunday Red Eye, a plate of pasta, strawberries and ice cream, blueberry pie or the smell of his pipe …….. whatever it is that reminds you of him, hold onto it, keep it close to your heart and never let yourself forget him. Dad would want to know that you remember him with a smile and not with tears. Dad was a kind and compassionate gentleman whose loss will be felt by many.

We will have to learn to live on without Dad, Grampa, Gerry. I take some comfort in the fact that he is no longer in pain and is re-united with Mom. I will miss my daily chats with Dad - especially his insightful advice, but am hopeful that the memories will sustain me and live on in the memories of all of us.

I am so proud to be Gerry Wilson’s daughter. I can only hope that I can emulate the strength, courage and determination that he portrayed throughout his life.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Isaiah 43:2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up: the flames will not consume you.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

— Psalm 23:1-6

God Took Him To His Loving Home

God saw him getting tired, a cure was not to be.

He wrapped him in his loving arms and

whispered ‘Come with me.’

He suffered much in silence,

his spirit did not bend.

He faced his pain with courage,

until the very end.

He tried so hard to stay with us

but his fight was not in vain,

God took him to His loving home and

freed him from the pain.

–Anonymous

"What A Wonderful World"

- Louis Armstrong

I see trees of green,

red roses too.

I see them bloom,

for me and you.

And I think to myself,

what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue,

And clouds of white.

The bright blessed day,

The dark sacred night.

And I think to myself,

What a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow,

So pretty in the sky.

Are also on the faces,

Of people going by,

I see friends shaking hands.

Saying, "How do you do?"

They're really saying,

"I love you".

I hear babies cry,

I watch them grow,

They'll learn much more,

Than I'll ever know.

And I think to myself,

What a wonderful world.

Yes, I think to myself,

What a wonderful world.

Oh yeah.

When I Get to Where I Am Going

– Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton

When I get where I'm going

On the far side of the sky

The first thing that I'm gonna do

Is spread my wings and fly

I'm gonna land beside a lion

And run my fingers through his mane

Or I might find out what it's like

To ride a drop of rain

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears

I will shed the sins and struggles

I have carried all these years

And I'll leave my heart wide open

I will love and have no fear

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

Don't cry for me down here

I'm gonna walk with my grandaddy

And he'll match me step for step

And I'll tell him how I missed him

Every minute since he left

Then I'll hug his neck

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears

I will shed the sins and struggles

I have carried all these years

And I'll leave my heart wide open

I will love and have no fear

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

Don't cry for me down here

So much pain and so much darkness

In this world we stumble through

All these questions I can't answer

So much work to do

But when I get where I'm going

And I see my Maker's face

I'll stand forever in the light

Of His amazing grace

Yeah when I get where I'm going

There'll be only happy tears

Hallelujah

I will love and have no fear

When I get where I'm going

Yeah, when I get where I'm going

* * * * * * * * * *

WILSON, Gerald – Peacefully at the Algoma Residential Community Hospice, with his children by his side on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the age of 78. Beloved husband of the late Karen Wilson. Loving father of Susan Brandow (Eric), Michael, Lisa Boughton (Chris), Pam Mosekjaer (Paul) and Lianne Cowieson (Brian). Proud grampa of Alex and Danielle Brandow, Michael and the late Morgan Wilson, Jack and Sam Boughton, Grant, Brian and Kevin Mosekjaer and Lauren and Leah Cowieson. Dear brother of Barb Beckett (late Bud), John Wilson (Marj), Fran Ritchie (Hugh), Joe Wilson (Sue) and Ernie Wilson (Karen). Brother-in-law of Steve Lidster (Deb). Friends may visit at the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre on Thursday, June 8, 2017 from 6 – 9 pm. Funeral service in the chapel on Friday, June 9, 2017 at 11 am. Mrs. Helen Smith officiating. Memorial contributions to ARCH would be appreciated by the family. The family would like to thank everyone at ARCH for their kindness, compassion and extraordinary care.