Gerald Otto Henriksen

Gerry Henriksen was born in Lytton British Columbia on March 2, 1937 to Otto James Henriksen and Cora Barbara Henriksen. He was the fifth child born into a family of twelve. During World War II, food was rationed and Gerry’s parents found it difficult to keep up with the demands of all of their children. They were compelled to seek help. Gerry and his sister Gloria lived with their grandparents in Lytton for a number of years. As a result of this isolation from their siblings, Gerry and Gloria were extremely close throughout their lives.

Lytton was a town in the centre of the forest and mining industry. Large trucks and heavy machinery were a common sight while Gerry grew up. He became fascinated by the capacity of large machinery to do work. This interest became central to his adult life.

The hard times continued after the war. Gerry was compelled to go to work at a young age. He worked at his father’s garage in Hedley BC. When he became old enough to seek work independently, Gerry began at the Phoenix Mine in Grand Forks. He worked at many locations in the resource extraction industry, including Princeton and Sparwood. He became a heavy equipment operator through on-the-job training. In addition to driving heavy trucks, he operated huge Haul Pack trucks and belly dumpsters in the mine.

Gerry was proud of his skills and his ability to safely operate huge pieces of machinery. However, the work was solitary as he was alone in the operator’s cab. To compensate for that, Gerry developed an outgoing and friendly personality. He was quick to make friends. He was generous to a fault. He always offered his help to anyone who needed it.

In the mines, organization and procedure were integral to safe extraction of resources. Gerry took great pride in doing his work well and safely. He brought that mindset to his home. He always kept a shop which was spotless and orderly. His tools were well cared for and he brought enthusiasm to all tasks that he undertook throughout his life.

Gerry had two children, Cathleen (Cathie) and Tamie with his first wife, Ann. Unfortunately, the marriage did not survive and accordingly, Gerry saw less of his girls than he would have liked during their formative years. Tragically, Tamie passed away many years ago.

Wanderlust was an element of Gerry Henriksen’s personality. He finally settled down after moving to Victoria in 1969. Tired of the isolated life required of pit miners, Gerry found work with BC Transit, driving a bus through the lovely communities of greater Victoria. Gerry took huge pride in his work and in maintaining the safety of his passengers.

It was while driving a bus, that a blonde mail carrier named Sheila Cowan caught his eye. After learning the location of her mail route, Gerry sought the bus route where she ended her day’s work. Eventually, his teasing and flirting won the day and they began seeing each other.

Unfortunately, a serious accident caused a back injury that would leave Gerry in pain for the rest of his life. He was no longer able to sit for extended periods of time. He refused to quit, however. He invested in a trucking company and ended up working as the dispatcher for C & F Trucking. He took an active role in the company, offering his services wherever he could. He retired in 2007.

Sheila did not drive. She was an artist. Gerry drove everything. He was an avid gardener. Apparently, opposites attract, because they formed a relationship and remained together for 40 years until she passed away one week before she did. Her passing seemed to empty him out and he seemed determined to follow her into the next world.

Sheila’s grandchildren, Emily, Sarah and Iain Cowan became Gerry’s grandchildren. He doted on them and they always saw him as grandpa, which was a source of great joy and pride for Gerry.

Dogs were another great source of joy for Gerry and Sheila. They began with a long-haired dachshund named Candy. When she gave birth to puppies, they could not bear to part with two of them and for many years, Candy, Bonnie and Clyde could be seen trotting along at Gerry’s feet while he walked them through the neighbourhood. Gerry would never leave the house without treats for dogs even if he was not walking his own. All the dogs in the neighbourhood knew him and ran eagerly towards Gerry when they saw him, knowing they would get a treat and loving attention from him.

After Candy, Bonnie and Clyde passed, Gerry and Sheila replaced them with a loving small dog named Chelsea. Even after she passed, Gerry could not separate himself from dogs. He and Sheila were close friends with Mavis Trask. When her health would not allow her to do so, Gerry went dutifully, four times a day to walk her dog, Taz.

He enjoyed wood carving, gardening and a good game of crib.

As an adult, Gerry remained extremely close to his family members. The Henriksen’s were like a large club. He lived close to his parents, his brother Ken and sister-in-law Sue, and his sister Gloria and her husband Alvin Gorcak. Gerry and Alvin shared many common interests and were extremely close friends. He remained in close contact with his brothers Ralph, Alan and Mel, even though they were separated by long distances.

Gerry was generous to a fault and had a heart of gold. It was always there for anyone who needed help, support, comfort or just a chance to spend some time together. The love Gerry felt for his family was always reciprocated and they were devastated when he passed.

Gerry’s health began to take a turn when he experienced Parkinson’s like tremor in his hands. Notwithstanding that, he and Sheila stayed together in their own home until April 2025, when they finally moved to the Heights care home in Victoria. They were both fiercely independent to the end.

Sheila passed away on June 11th and Gerry followed her into the next world on June 19th. They expressed a wish to be buried together in Grand Forks.

Gerry Henriksen is survived by his daughter Cathie (Carol Alexander) and by four of his brothers, Alan ( Elgin), Mel, Ralph and Ken (Sue). Sheila’s son Kevin (Terry) and their children Emily, Sarah and Iain also mourn his passing. Predeceased by his beloved sister Gloria and her husband Alvin and his beloved daughter Tamie.

A hard life, well lived, with unending humour and optimism. That is the way Gerry Henriksen lived and how he should be remembered.