Gerard "Jerry" Marie Joseph Hamonic

Gerard was born in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan on April 30, 1936 to Beatrice and Pierre “Pete” Hamonic. He grew up on the family farm speaking French, with his younger brother Hilaire; driving the tractor and taking his horse Maude to their one room school house until the family moved into town for highschool. After visiting the West Coast during his time in cadets, Jerry decided to quit school, speak English and pursue his dream to sail on the ocean. Living in Vancouver and eventually driving cab on the island, he found his way to Sointula, BC to fish and log. This is where he met the love of his life; Nini.

Married in 1962, they relocated to Victoria and had two sons Wynn and Shawn before finally settling in Sooke, BC where foster son Ron Lesieur joined the family. Here Dad was a bodyman and auxiliary fireman and police, as well as working at the saw mill. Daughter Remi arrived before Jerry designed a hybrid camper to take his family of 5 on a road trip from Victoria to Belize in 1973-74. When Ron met Penny in Kamloops and decided to start their own family, Jerry and Nini followed in 1975, son Tawd was born 2 years later. Jerry, with Nini’s help, owned several businesses; Jerry’s Body & Paint as well as Gerard’s Coffee House. Dad’s latest venture was SunStar Shuttle to SunPeaks. Here Dad and Mom were able to enjoy the place they learned to ski when it was Tod Mountain. Dad also worked as a school bus and transport driver, and instructor at Cariboo College. Jerry was an adventurer, dreamer and loved meeting new people. He spent time travelling, camping, hunting, sailing, and was always open to try new things like Judo, Spanish, and backpacking through Europe at 65 and snowboarding at 69.

As a Catholic, dad was instrumental in the steering committee to build Holy Family Parish as well as encouraging his family to live their Faith in his spirit of charity and willingness to help anyone in need. Dad was a regular contributor to The Mustard Seed and volunteered at the Food Bank. Jerry enjoyed good health for most of his life but in the past 6 months he faced a series of health crises that culminated in his passing July 9, 2025 surrounded by love and without pain.

Jerry was predeceased by his wife Nini Hamonic, brother Hilaire and parents Beatrice and Pierre as well as sister-in-law Dale (Bob) Dixon , niece Adele Morgan and great nephew Justin Morgan. He leaves to mourn his passing sons Wynn Hamonic, Shawn Hamonic (Donna Ganner), Tawd Hamonic (Nicole Cherneski), Ron Lesieur, as well as daughters Penny Lesieur and Remi Hamonic with grandchildren Aliyah Nute (Elijah Fransen), Graeden Nute, Peter Hamonic, Raquel Lesieur (Wayne Shinkaruk), Jay and Angela Lesieur, Krystal and Cody Nichiporik, with Cousin Laura Ching who was like a sister and her family. Special mention to Cheynelle, Faith, Maya and Kaylee who were like great granddaughters to “Baba”.

"nous ne t'oublierons jamais"