April 24, 1940 - April 7, 2024
In loving memory ~
Gerald Goodwin passed away April 7th, 2024, in Comox, BC, after a long illness. Gerry was born in Moose Jaw, SK, to Harold and Roslyn.
The family moved to Vancouver when he was in his early teens. Gerry attended King Edward High School and played football and rugby.
In the 60's Gerry worked for the Boys and Girls Club's Camp Potlach, where he met his future wife, Betty. As the story goes, the pretty camper insisted on attending the free swim period in a downpour so that she would have time alone with the handsome young lifeguard. Gerry was soon travelling from Vancouver to Victoria almost every weekend to court Betty while she attended nursing school. Gerry and Betty were married in Vancouver in June of 1965. They bought a house in Burnaby and welcomed the arrival of sons Stuart and Russell in the late 60's.
Also in 1965, Gerry joined the Vancouver Fire Department. Nicknamed 'the Riddler', he loved the comradery and the rush of being a firefighter. Gerry was deeply committed to helping people get through some of the most difficult times of their lives: house fires, accidents, car crashes, health crises, overdoses. Gerry answered the bell. He retired from the VFD in 1996 at the rank of Captain.
Always active, Gerry helped family and friends with their vacation properties through the 60's and into the 00's. Many fond memories were made at these cottages with family and friends building, boating, fishing, and skiing.
During the 80's and 90's Gerry and Betty ran a small machine shop as a 'side hustle'. It was actually a second fulltime job for Gerry, who always liked hard work. Their custom concrete embedded fasteners were used in many notable construction projects, including BC Place.
In the 80's through the 00's Gerry and Betty enjoyed their hobby of retriever dog trials, competing with a string of Black Labradors. Gerry became a respected field trial judge and marshal, eventually volunteering at the Canadian Nationals.
Gerry and Betty cherished the friendships they
developed as they attended competitions with their furry four legged "children".
The couple moved to Comox, BC for their retirement. They joined the Comox Newcomers where they formed many treasured and lasting friendships. They loved hosting visits from family, friends, and especially their three grandchildren.
Gerry volunteered: first with the Comox Coast Guard Auxiliary, contributing his boating and vast first responder skills; later with the Mt Washington Adaptive Ski Program, only bowing out when he had to get hip and shoulder replacements. Gerry was very active with the Comox Lions Club low-income housing program. As a board member he helped secure funding for Lions housing initiatives.
Gerry's giving spirit drove him to continue with the Lions until his health finally failed him. Donations in his memory to these causes would be wonderful.
Gerry is survived by his wife Betty; his brother Ken; his sons Stuart and Russell; daughter-in- law Lisa; and his grandchildren Rachel, Nicholas, and Andrew.