Gerald Ernest Sengotta

Born September 25th, 1939 in Vernon Jubilee Hospital to John and Grace Sengotta (nee Hollingworth). Gerry enjoyed many great times with his three siblings; Joye, (Howard Raber), Ray, and Bill (Antonia) growing up in Vernon as well as a brief part of his childhood in Vancouver during the 1940’s. He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy, his daughters, Nikki and Tammy, his granddaughters Tierra and Alix, grandsons Stephen, Declan, and Riley, and great grandchildren, Ryu and Grace.

Gerry was a long standing figure in the BC trucking industry having joined his father, John, at a young age in the family business, Rocky Mountain Transport. There Gerry learned the ropes of running freight transport, furniture moving, charter loads, low-bed hauling, and especially long hauling with manned steering dollies. He thoroughly enjoyed his work; in particular he loved to drive, plan out difficult loads, sort out the freight trucks, but most especially challenging tickets which he often won. Over the years, when he drove relief, he was sometimes joined by his wife on the different trips; the two of them side by side in the cab spending time with each other. Gerry planned to drive truck for a long time to come and had in fact just passed his annual Class 1 re-licensing just days before he passed.

Gerry liked to spend his free time going fishing, either lake or ocean. Every summer for the past 40 years or so, he and his wife, Dorothy, would make the long drive up to the north end of Vancouver Island to fish the waters of Johnstone Strait. He enjoyed trolling for salmon and bottom fishing, always hoping for that elusive monster catch. Sometimes he got one and sometimes he donated tackle to the ocean depths (actually, quite a lot). He loved his boat and had just begun its winterization for next year’s season.

When Gerry wasn’t at work or doing the typical household chores one does, you could find him at the kitchen table playing cards with his wife or nose deep in some book. He was an avid reader and enjoyed a variety of books. He and his wife played a round of cards almost every morning and their competiveness was evident as was their desire to spend time with each other (they really enjoyed trying to whoop each other at cards). The deck of cards they played with will continue to hold pride of place in their kitchen for a long time to come.

Travel was an important part of Gerry and Dorothy’s life together. Their first trip was a thrilling drive to Mexico and back in a little red 1960s Volkswagen. Soon after that, but before kids, they travelled numerous times to the States and Mexico with various family members. With their kids, they travelled often to Spokane and made lasting memories going to Disneyland, Disneyworld, Mexico, and Hawaii; often with other families. In the later years they did tours with friends, Joe and Donna, to the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala. There were many other trips, in fact too numerous to account for them all.

Gerry and Dorothy were lifelong adventurers and whenever circumstances allowed, you could find them packing up their car to hit the road and see where it led them. Often they’d visit family at the coast, go to the hot springs, or go berry picking and had continued doing so right up until two weekends before his untimely passing.

In addition to their far flung travels and local gallivanting, every fall Gerry and Dorothy would venture into the bush to get their winter’s wood. Very soon they would have been doing this exact trip to prepare for the upcoming winter.

In the end, Gerry spent his final morning working at Rocky and had enjoyed lunch at home with Dorothy and his granddaughter, Tia. He passed away in the best way possible, surrounded by love.

We’d like to thank the first responders, the emergency room staff at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, the TIA staff at Kelowna General Hospital, and the dedicated nurses and doctors in the intensive care unit at VJH that helped Gerry complete his journey. Keep on Trucking Gerry; after all you did just get that Class 1 renewed.

And finally, thank you to Jennifer at Pleasant Valley Funeral Home for helping Gerry’s family navigate this difficult and emotional time with such empathy, compassion, and levity. Her kindness and guidance has been so very helpful to them during this time.

A celebration of Gerry’s life is planned for September 21st, 11am – 2pm, at the Schubert Centre in Vernon. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Pleasant Valley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Gerry’s Memory.