Gerald Gerry B. McDowell

April 19, 1932 to October 18, 2014

Gerry took the hand of his Lord on Saturday, October 18 near Victoria, BC at the age of 82. Gerry was born in Vancouver, BC, the third child, to Olive Margaret Jean McDowell (nee Prentice) and Benjamin Cornelius McDowell.

Gerry grew up and attended school in Vancouver until the family moved to a “fixer-upper” on Eagle Island in West Vancouver. He recounted tales of rowing back and forth from the island to attend West Vancouver Junior High School and his first paper route jobs delivering both a morning and evening newspaper. Later, while living in Horseshoe Bay, he worked at Troll’s, until family circumstances compelled him to leave school to seek full time employment. He subsequently worked at many locations around BC with ferries, fisheries and railways until in 1953, the District of West Vancouver invited him to apply for a position in the Engineering Dept. From there, in 1955, he began a distinguished, thirty-nine year career with West Vancouver Fire and Rescue (WVFD) retiring in 1992, having reached the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.

Beginning in the mid-1970’s, Gerry was involved in the Anglican Church, at St. Stephen’s in West Vancouver and most recently St. Andrew’s in Sidney. He was active with Cursillo, choir, street ministry, Kairos, Neighbour’s Lunch, and church galas (theatre and song).

He is lovingly remembered by his family as a towering, gentle giant who inspired his children with his faith, compassion and spirit. You would always be aware of his presence as he constantly whistled while moving about the house or in the community. He loved his family (both human and four-legged), was an avid gardener and handyman.

Gerry was preceded in death by his beloved Florence (nee Smart), Benjamin (father) and Olive (mother) McDowell, Eric (brother), Roy (brother), aunt Ruth (nee Prentice) and uncle Alfred Shipp, niece Debbie and nephew Ricky.

Gerry is survived by his brother and sisters Kenneth (Pearl), Patricia and Maureen, daughter Colleen (Cliff), son Kerry (Leanne), Florence’s children Chris (Tommi), Candina, Reanna and Riki, grandchildren Carrie-Anne, Justine, Liam, Elle, Hunter and August, great-grandchildren Mikyla, Caitlyn and Jayden, his four-legged best buddy Kouna, his brothers from the firefighting service and many friends from his church and community.

The Celebration of Life service will be held at 13:00 on Friday, November 14 at St. Andrews Anglican Church, 9691 Fourth St, Sidney, BC. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to honour Gerry’s memory may be made to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Sidney, BC or firefighter’s-affiliated charity.

Arrangements under the direction of First Memorial Funeral Services, Victoria, BC.