Passed away peacefully on October 26, 2012 with his family at his side. Gerry, as he was known to his friends, was born on July 3, 1931 in Halifax. He was the youngest of Walter and Margaret (Kelly) McGinnis’ six children. After enlisting in the Army at age 17, he served in the Korean War and had a distinguished career with the Canadian Armed Forces for 35 years. His career enabled he and his wife Yvonne (Ross) and children Michael (Lemin), Colleen (David Arnold) and Paul to live in many places in Germany, Ontario and eastern Canada.
He was a dedicated family man and avid gardener and golfer and loved his early morning golf games with his friends at the Halifax Ashburn Golf Club. During his last days, the nurses at the Halifax Infirmary described him as a gentle and thoughtful man. This was evident when, even at the end, barely able to speak, he told his wife “he’d always loved her” something she’ll forever cherish. During his last week of life, he had a deep belly laugh when his daughter Colleen taught him a secret hand squeezing game that she and her husband used to play during their courtship. It included a simple three hand squeezes for “I love you”. Half an hour before he passed, he gave her hand a gentle three squeezes.
Besides his parents, Gerald was predeceased by his brothers Harold ‘Hank’ McGinnis, Walter ‘Darb’ McGinnis, Deacon Bill McGinnis and sister Helen Ingram. He is survived by his sister Marjorie Scott (Albert), sister-in-law Kathleen “Leenie” McGinnis (Darb), numerous nieces and nephews as well as his children and their children: Cynthia (Matt Jobes), Kyle (Stephanie Cornish), Mike, Aaron and Regan and two great-grandchildren: Lily Jobes and her little sister Clara, born one day after his death.
Family visitation will be at the J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax, NS, (902-455-0531) on Wednesday, October 31 from 3 - 5 p.m. A memorial service will be held at St. Agnes Church, corner of Mumford and Chebucto Rds., Halifax, on Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 10 a.m. with a reception following the service. On-line condolences may be sent by visiting: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com
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