Gerald Dennis Biollo

When Jerry was 6 years old, the Biollo family moved to Kamloops, where he attended Stuart Wood School for 1 year and St. Ann's Academy for 3 years. The family's next move was to Vernon. After completing Junior High School, Jerry entered the Minor Seminary of Christ the King in Mission B.C., for grades 10 - 12. In 1959, he entered St. Joseph's Seminary in St. Albert’s, Alberta for 2 years of Philosophy and 4 years of Theology. On April 3, 1965, he was ordained a priest in his home parish of St. James, where he received his first assignment as Monsignor Miles 'assistant.

His love for young people and for music found him spending many hours with the students at the school, teaching them to enjoy music by playing his guitar and singing for them. For the next 10 years, he assisted in North Kamloops, Vernon, and at the Cathedral in Kamloops, where he was appointed Rector in 1975 and spent the next 10 years. After a 2 year sabbatical, he returned to 100 Mile House. He remained there for 1 year after which time he bought a 14 acre parcel of land in Lone Butte and built a house. He lived there until 2004, at which time he moved to Vernon, to reside with his mother, who had been in a serious car accident. After her passing, he lived and worked in various cities in the Okanagan.

For the past 3 years, he has resided at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Shrine at Cache Creek. He loved it there, and enjoyed keeping the Shrine "up & running ". He shared his talents generously with his family and was always willing and eager to do a fix it job or a reno for them.They felt so lucky to have him in their lives.

He is survived by his sister Arlene Bergonder, her children, Darcy Meers, ( Taylor, Trevor & Natalie ) Paul Bergonder & Kevin Bergonder, his brother Amerigo, his brother, Stephen and sister in law, Kathy and their children, Shaun & Jenna and friend, Karol.

He was predeceased by his parents, Amerigo & Guiditta, brothers Kenneth & Leo, and brother in law, Leonard Bergonder.

He was to celebrate his 75th birthday tomorrow with the family gathering at his sister's home. We celebrate today in a different way - we remember a kind, gentle, giving and loving soul who graced us with his presence. To say he will be missed is an understatement.

Prayers will be recited on Friday, November 4, 2016 at 8:00 pm at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, 635 Tranquille Rd, Kamloops, BC. The Reverend Father Paul Simms will celebrate The Funeral Mass in the church on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 2:00 pm. An afternoon reception will follow.

Donations to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace, 1425 Rene Levesque Blvd. West 3rd floor, Montreal QC H3G 9Z9, or a charity of your choice in memory of Jerry would be greatly appreciated.