Gerald was born February 6th, 1924 in Portland, Oregon, where his father was temporarily stationed with the Bank of Montreal. Returning to Canada, Gerald went to school in Burnaby, graduating from Burnaby South High School, He went on to attend the University of British Columbia where he earned his undergraduate degree. When he'd made up his mind about his vocation, He returned to university, graduated from Trinity College, Toronto, and then became an ordained minister who passionately devoted the rest of his life to the church.
He was ordained deacon in 1949 and priest in 1950, serving at the pro-cathedral in Calgary on a curacy, then Sylvan Lake and Elnora in Alberta. Later, he was on staff at St. Thomas, Toronto, Gerald returned to the West Coast in 1957 and spent the final twenty-six years of his ministry at St. Martin's, North Vancouver.
During this time he visited Pender Island and fell in love with the area's beauty, purchasing waterfront property and building his retirement home. He happily settled into the community and the life surrounding the Church of the Good Shepherd. His garden became his second passion.
An avid tennis player in his teens, he played mixed doubles all through high school and for two consecutive years won the Vancouver Junior Mixed Doubles tournaments with his partner Josephine Knight.
When Josephine lost her husband after thirty years of marriage, Gerald persuaded her to join him in extended travels. They enjoyed many vacations through Canada, the US and abroad.
Gerald was predeceased by his half sister, Phyllis Haworth, and his cousin Joseph Hatcook. He is survived by his remaining cousins, the Bell family in Calgary and the lower mainland, and Joyce Hatcook in Australia.
He passed away, March 2nd at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and his funeral scheduled for St. Peter's Anglican Church, Pender Island, Friday, March 9th at 10am.
He was ordained deacon in 1949 and priest in 1950, serving at the pro-cathedral in Calgary on a curacy, then Sylvan Lake and Elnora in Alberta. Later, he was on staff at St. Thomas, Toronto, Gerald returned to the West Coast in 1957 and spent the final twenty-six years of his ministry at St. Martin's, North Vancouver.
During this time he visited Pender Island and fell in love with the area's beauty, purchasing waterfront property and building his retirement home. He happily settled into the community and the life surrounding the Church of the Good Shepherd. His garden became his second passion.
An avid tennis player in his teens, he played mixed doubles all through high school and for two consecutive years won the Vancouver Junior Mixed Doubles tournaments with his partner Josephine Knight.
When Josephine lost her husband after thirty years of marriage, Gerald persuaded her to join him in extended travels. They enjoyed many vacations through Canada, the US and abroad.
Gerald was predeceased by his half sister, Phyllis Haworth, and his cousin Joseph Hatcook. He is survived by his remaining cousins, the Bell family in Calgary and the lower mainland, and Joyce Hatcook in Australia.
He passed away, March 2nd at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital and his funeral scheduled for St. Peter's Anglican Church, Pender Island, Friday, March 9th at 10am.