Gerry passed away on Sunday June 14 at Yucalta Lodge in Campbell River after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, on January 26 1942. He apprenticed as a shipwright there in the Midlands, and worked at ship building for several years, always loved working with wood. He loved to climb and hike and spent many weekends of his youth in North Wales climbing with friends. He loved sailing and he and a friend got to the Canary Islands where they hired on to a 42 foot boat and crossed the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal and up the coast to the San Juan Islands.
He eventually came to Canada in 1973, moving to Vancouver Island in 1976. He enjoyed boating, skiing, hiking, golf, curling, and for the last 20 years growing orchids. He was also an extremely good photographer and was seldom seen without his camera.
He was predeceased by his parents, Bill & Alice Suffolk, and is survived by his wife Jill and sister Cynthia. He was a very kind, gentle caring man and will be missed by many.
I want to give heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jon. Walker and to all the staff at Yucalta Lodge for their compassion and wonderful care.
Please join us for a celebration of Gerry’s life on Friday July 3, at 1:00 p.m., at Piercy’s Funeral Home, in Courtenay BC.
He would appreciate donations to the Parkinson Society of BC, The Terry Fox Foundation, or to a charity of your choice.