Gordon Edward Gerrie

1934 to 2024

Gordon Edward Gerrie had a most amazing life. He was born in 1934 and graduated to heaven on Sept 9, 2024 just after 4am in the morning. On the morning of, he got up to go to the bathroom with the help of a caring nurse, went back to bed, slide down and quietly breathed his last and up he went. We are so grateful that he went in such a peaceful manner without pain and suffering. Thank you Lord!

Dad had a pretty tough childhood. His Dad passed away early and his Mother abandoned the family (or so it has been said) and so Dad was raised by his two sisters Lila & Marg and his brother Stan. Apparently he was quite a handful and full of mischief and went as far as grade 8 before he was out making money on his own as a ditch digger and then as a car jockey.

He enrolled in the military for a number of years and then we think he was kicked out for lack of discipline or being a rebel. He was pretty mean in those years and we can only imagine what it was like for him and those trying to guide him. However, he did get back in and was based first in MacDonald Manitoba and then Portage La Prairie as an airplane mechanic.

The boys used to go into Winnipeg for R & R (girl hunting) and Dad managed to meet the most beautiful girl in the world Marlene Mortenson. In fairly short order they were married and had their first beautiful child Gale. By the way, conditions were very challenging back then as you were not paid very well as an LAC which was Dad’s rank. They actually lived in a converted chicken coup if you can imagine. Two years later Greg came into the world and then off they went to Cold Lake Alberta.

In Cold Lake Dad was involved in the inception of the CF104 Fighter jet program. He was a rigger and began to excel. Then he was posted to 4 Wing Germany from 1962 to 1966 in the Baden Baden area. As a corporal he excelled and even invented a device which over the years would have saved militaries millions of dollars. It was a system which allowed hydraulics to be checked without starting up the engines.

Dad was an avid hockey play and made the base team every base he was on. In Germany the team travelled all over Europe and Mom was left to manage three children because Rhonda was born in this era. We all loved Germany, the guesthouses (pubs), scenery and we travelled all over the place. Mom’s Mom, our Grandmother even came over to Europe and they all went to Granny’s birthplace in Norway.

After 4 years in Germany we moved to Trenton Ontario from 1966 to 1970. Dad was on the base golf team and hockey team but really wanted to excel in his career going after a trade called Non Destructive Testing (NDT). With only a grade 8 education he took grade 9 to 13 English and Maths including Calculus, Functions and Algebra. Thanks to the help of genius Gale he succeeded and made it into the trade. He was then promoted to Seargant to manage the NDT Unit in Chatham New Brunswick from 1970 to 1973. As he succeeded there, he was promoted to Warrant Officer and was sent to Ottawa Headquarters from 1974 to 1978 at DAFR-4RQ or was it 4RQ. (We just remember that’s how he answered the phone.) Anyways he was in charge of NDT across the entire military. He was then promoted to Master Warrant Officer.

His next posting was back to Trenton where he ran the NDT shop and there he was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer which is the top rank in the non-commissioned rank structure in the Canadian Military. They wanted to give him his commission and make him a Captain but he said why would he lower himself to that. LOL. Sorry to you officers but as you know when you hit Chief you have great respect and authority. Even officers listen to what you have to say.

Dad could have continued on but made a major decision to get out of the military to work for Transport Canada to become an Air Worthiness Inspector in Toronto. After 5 years of that, he and Marlene decided to retire and moved to Comox British Columbia. There they established a wonderful retirement life golfing and playing tennis. Mom became an amazing golfer and Dad ran about an 8 handicap. Every winter they went to the Palm Springs area and Dad volunteered as a course marshal and received a free membership. They established a nice community in a trailer park which included Kay & Mar Oslie.

The days came when they could no longer go south. Dad had a hip replacement which over the years malfunctioned and had another put in and we think that all the medical interventions sent his health in a downward spiral. His health declined which included dementia and it was apparent he should be in a long-term care facility for his own health and safety as well as Marlene’s safety. Dad was at Ocean Front Village Long Term Care Facility and we will be ever grateful for the love they gave to him and the dignity they worked to maintain.

In his final years Dad became more and more sweet. He could not say “I love you” and “I’m proud of you enough.” He ranted about his wife Marlene and how amazing she was and how much he loved her. As well he could not say enough good things about his daughter Gale who was doing so much for the both of them. It was like he was making up for lost time because he was never like that in his previous years.

Dad had such an amazing life. He and Mom had travelled to so many places all over Europe and North America. They lived in fine homes and were never lacking. They had friends all over the world. Dad & Mom raised 3 children and all were and are successful.

The oldest Gale, with only a grade 12 education rose to the ranks and became a Bank Manager in what was typically a man’s word. She then became a financial planner until she retired to come and take care of her parents. Gale is to be recognized and honored for the incredible work she did to support Mom in Dad’s tougher years. He needed a lot of help. By the way Gale also became a champion tennis player.

Dad’s son Greg became a school teacher and then went on to become an author, professional speaker and pastor. He then developed a program for youth called Kidtalks helping children learn leadership and how to speak on stage. Greg married Tina and they have a beautiful 16 year old named Sarah who also became an award winning speaker.

Dad’s other daughter Rhonda married Michael Kupfer and they have a son named Branden who works at a Porsche dealership. Rhonda recently retired from a career working with mentally challenged individuals in the school system. She was revered and adored by many and was outstanding in her field.

Dad’s wife Marlene has been through some significant health challenges in the last year and now she too is in Ocean Front Village and being treated with great love and care.

Dad was known for giving lectures. He would stand in front of the family and move up and down from heal to standing on his toes. His favorite expression was “believe you me…” and on he would go. So we felt like Dad (Gus) wanted to give us a final lecture and here it is:

#1

Be serious and focused on what is important!

Aspire to be YOUR best every day.

#2

Play sports!

It keeps you healthy.

It teaches you perseverance.

It builds relationships.

#3

Be your best person and get married to the right person.

It can make you or “brake” you.

If you can find someone like Marlene you are very blessed.

#4

Keep FAMILY Together

In this world you must have people you can count on.

#5

Be kind to others.

Put others 1st.

Succeed greatly so you can help others greatly.

#6

Laugh a lot more!

#7

Say these 2 things way more….

I LOVE YOU!

I’M PROUD OF YOU!!!

#8

NEVER SURRENDER UNTIL IT’S YOUR TIME!

#9

Please remember my precious wife.

Visit her!

Send her cards.

Call her

Take her gambling… what the heck.

#10

DO NOT mourn my passing.

I had a most INCREDIBLE life.

I had a great run!

I am with you always.

I will see you soon.

I LOVE YOU.

THIS IS WHERE DAD IS – DAD IS IN HEAVEN!

Jesus will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

This is our greatest hope because our faith will become sight and we will be in our eternal home with God.

Nothing will compare to this because His glory will be revealed and we'll be with God and His people forever

The Bible

PLEASE send cards and letters & Cards to:

Marlene Gerrie

Ocean Front Village

Sandpiper Community

2900 Cliffe Ave.

Courtney, BC

V9N 0J1

VIDEO

You can access a video that is a 30 minute presentation of Dad’s life with lot’s more pictures.

Here is the link

https://youtu.be/FOJNWuMAzYw

Thank you for reading.

Thank you for being in Dad’s life.

God bless you.

Marlene, Gale, Rhonda & Greg