Jerry died peacefully on Jan. 6th 2013. Born in Amsterdam on Nov. 8th 1931, he emigrated to Canada by joining the Calgary based PPCLI band. He co-founded the St. Albert Community band, was a music consultant at the UofA and later obtained a B.Ed in music and taught in both Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C. While proprietor of Tap Roots Plumbing in Vancouver, he continued to play in Oktoberfests and community bands as well as co-ordinating Jazz Vespers at St. Andrews Wesley. He was passionate about community involvement, was a Rotarian, Probus member, past President of Point Grey Soccer Club and board member of West Point Grey Community Centre. Jerry’s vision and love of life inspired and touched many people. We sincerely thank all our friends, family members and medical staff who have supported him throughout his life. He is survived by his wife Anne, children Frances (David), Jacqueline (Nick), Benjamin, Alexandra and grandchildren Jes (Sarah), Chanell and Max and numerous relatives in Europe. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Andrews Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson St., Vancouver on Sat. Jan. 26th at 1p.m., followed by a special Jazz Vespers service on Sun. Jan. 27th at 4 p.m. Please consider donating to the Canadian Blood Services or GF Strong.

Jerry's Biography:

After a fulfilling life, Jerry died peacefully on January 6th, 2013. He was predeceased by his parents and half sister Hillie and is survived by his wife Anne, first wife Cobie, brother Wim, children Frances (David), Jacqueline (Nick), Alexandra and Benjamin and grandchildren Jes (Sarah), Chanell and Max and numerous relatives in Europe.

Born in Amsterdam in 1931, he experienced the German occupation in WWII. As a youth he played the clarinet in the Jong Excelsior Orchestra and at age 18 served in the Dutch Army with with the Red Cross troops and joined their band. He later apprenticed as a milliner.

In 1953, he emigrated to Canada by joining the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry Band based in Calgary, Alberta. Subsequently, he spent 2 years in Germany playing with the NATO staff band and travelled extensively in Europe (in Baden Baden playing for the Queen in London and for de Gaulle in France). He married Cobie in 1955 and raised 2 daughters Frances & Jacqueline.

In 1968, he was appointed music consultant at the UofA in Edmonton, advising student music teachers. He also formed the the very entertaining Happy Wanderers Oktoberfest Band.

In 1970, he obtained a B.Ed in music, taught for the Edmonton School Board and helped found the St. Albert Community band, which now presents the inaugural Jerry Wennes Award to an exceptional band member for his/her dedication, leadership and commitment.
He also obtained a commercial pilots licence, owned a plane and managed a construction company.

In 1974, Jerry moved to Vancouver and was hired by the Burnaby School Board as a bandmaster. In 1980 he married Anne and together they renovated several houses and raised Benjamin and Alexandra. As a result of these renovations, Jerry left teaching, purchased a plumbing company, then acquired his plumbing ticket at BCIT and operated the successful Tap Roots Plumbing company which he later sold.

Meanwhile, Jerry enjoyed playing clarinet, saxophone, flute and bass locally and at the Commodore Ballroom’s annual Oktoberfest.

He was actively involved in the community as President of the Point Grey Soccer Club, on the board of West Point Grey Community Centre and served as a member of Toastmasters, the Vancouver Rotary and Vancouver Probus Club.

At the age of 69, he sustained a severe spinal cord injury which resulted in his inability to play the clarinet. Not daunted, he took up the trombone which he played in the North Shore concert band and A Little Night Music Orchestra which he also conducted. In the last 10 years, he was coordinator of Jazz Vespers at St. Andrew’s Wesley in Vancouver and featured numerous high-calibre local artists.

His life has been an inspiration to so many and we give sincere thanks to all of our friends, family members and medical staff who have supported him and us during the last 4 challenging years of Jerry’s life.