Born June 5, 1932, Tollerton, Yorkshire, England.
Died January 5, 2024, Vancouver, Canada
Survived by his daughter, Joy and son-in-law Thomas, son, Peter, and extended family in Yorkshire, England, Gerald leaves behind many long-time friends in Vancouver and, from his and his late wife Joan’s extensive travels, many others worldwide. Joan predeceased Gerald, dying on June 23, 2023 in Vancouver.
Growing up during World War II, in the village of Sutton-on-Derwent, Yorkshire, Gerald raised rabbits from a young age to sell to the local butchers in the city of York as animal protein was in short supply. Thus began his love of being a self-employed businessman, entrepreneur and wheeler-dealer! As he and his family lived close to a number of RAF aerodromes, he experienced many aerial dog fights and disabled bombers crashing before being able to land. Young Gerald was always looking to pick up bits of shrapnel to sell in the schoolyard! Just after the war, at the age of 14, he entered a 7-year bound apprenticeship to become a motor mechanic.
Meeting his wife Joan of almost 68 years when they were both teenagers, the two married in 1955 after Gerald finished his required National military service in the Royal Air Force.
In 1957, deciding that they wanted a better life, Gerald and Joan embarked on a grand adventure to Canada in the New World. Arriving in January 1957 in Halifax, with cross Canada rail tickets as part of their travel package, they had initially planned to settle in Toronto but after 3 days of a blinding snow storm with arctic temperatures, they decided to roll the dice and use the balance of their rail tickets and go on the Vancouver at the end of the train line, in the hope of finding better weather. They stayed for the rest of their lives.
They found jobs within three days of arriving in Vancouver, Gerald working at a car dealership as a mechanic and Joan working as a legal secretary at a downtown Vancouver law firm. Within a short time, they decided they wanted to earn more money to save up to buy investment real estate. They both therefore found jobs at the North Pacific cannery on the Skeena River near Prince Rupert, BC, where Gerald was the Port Engineer and Joan worked in the office. True pioneers, Joan and Gerald were 1 of only 6 immigrant families there, alongside indigenous people and Japanese-Canadian fishermen. With the money they earned from their respective posts, they built a nest egg for their next chapter: Gerald began his business as a Marine engineer in Steveston, BC, servicing many of the west coast fishing boats and Joan ran his office. The business thrived, and before long, they were repairing boats for much of the west coast fishing fleet while still worked on the Skeena River for a number of summers. Once they built their nest egg, they decided to get into the real estate business as well.
In a short time, they were also firmly entrenched in the real estate business, owning and managing a number of apartment buildings. Their next project was to invest with partners in a number of Wendy’s franchised restaurants.
Those who knew them socially and in business will remember the many summer barbeques and holiday parties that they hosted at their home. There were always a few more seats at the table available for the “waifs and strays”, as they referred with affection to those who were not able to spend certain holiday days with loved ones.
Amidst all of this, Gerald and Joan (and later, accompanied by the children), traveled the world together for many years. They often talked about their travel adventures, which always brought a smile to the faces of their audiences.
Without doubt, Gerald lived a long and very full life. While we miss him and grieve, we can take comfort knowing that he did not miss any opportunities to experience the many facets of life and to help a number of people along the way.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for April 6, 2024 at 11:00am at Kearney Funeral Services, located at 450 West 2nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1E2, at the foot of Cambie Street Bridge. Street parking is available for those attending. Parking lots are also available nearby. Kearney Funeral Services is also located across from the Olympic Skytrain Station.