I first met Gerry in 1953 and we kept contact until somewhere in the 1990's.  I had an ole phone number and lost contact after he moved to Oshawa. I was very sorry to hear of his death.  I had tried earlier to contact him this year.  Edward King.  I knew Lorraine and his brother Denis but not his children.

 I was a new principal when I worked with him and found him to be a very helpful ally to students and to me with an unbiased approach to the solution of problems. He was one of the stalwarts of the school board and was always willing to give help when it was needed. Thanks for a job well done. Rest in peace. Henrietta Daniel.

Dear Gerarda, Olivia and Sylvia, Hearing of the loss of your father saddens me deeply. Gerry was one of my closest friends from when he hired me in 1968 to work for his Child Development Services.  Besides professional interests, your father and I shared a love of social activities, music and our Irish heritage. I remember fondly attending many great social events in your home and enjoying the company of your mother Lorraine and all of you as children. I continue to be astounded by the many events that occurred in your father's life that were paralleled in my own. Gerarda, Olivia and Sylvia, I am so sorry for your loss. Your father was one of those unique individuals who always emphasized the positive side of life and encouraged us all to enjoy all good things in life. May you find strength in his legacy of optimism and caring.      - Jim Sweeney

Sorry to hear about the loss of your father Sylvia. I know it is never easy to lose a close family member. May he rest in peace and you get to see him in the after life. Sincerely Randy Clark and Sharron Hill.

Sylvia Niall Aidan Kyle Brandon Sabrina -   I am sorry to hear of your loss of your Dad, Grandfather I know the way you talk of him he was a great man, He still lives in you all,  God Bless 
With Love Gary & Brandon Burns

Dear Geri, I am so sorry for your loss. May God give you the strength and courage you need at this difficult time.
Sending you a big hug with my deepest condolences.

Dear Gerarda, Olivia & Sylvia.  May you find strength in the Love of family and in the warm embrace of friends.  Our prayers are with you.

Love Leslie & Gilles

Lucy Family,  I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  May god bless and see you through this time of pain and sorrow.   Brenda Kingsley

Dear Gerarda, Olivia, Sylvia & the Stokes family:

Our sincere condolences & deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear Father. But there should be some Joy in that fact that Gerry is free from all pain & earthly frustrations & is now sharing the happiness of being together with your Mother his beloved Lorraine!

Gerry was well loved by all who knew him, & he has had a lasting effect in touching the lives of so many of those with whom he worked: from students, to teachers, principals, administrators, social workers, psychologists & various representatives of the multinational communities & parents groups within Metro Toronto.

Gerry was a very humble, caring, & truly devout Christian Humanist. who also lived with a deep sense of purpose, & love of his own family, flavoured by his wicked Irish humour. 

He was in the biblical sense "a man without guile" & a true "Gentle Man". Sadly we shall not see his like again. Requiescat in Pace!

May God's "Amazing Grace" be with you all during the difficult days ahead. Love, Blessings & Hugs.

Theresa Ravanello-Wharton (former MSSB Chief Social Worker) & Paul Raymond
Wharton (former Asst. Director of Education MSSB)

Dear Geri and family, my deepest condolences for the loss of your dear father.  My thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Dear family
I was saddened to hear of Gerry's passing. He was a wonderful person who touched us, all. I share my deepest sympathy with family, friends and colleagues.

Jerry Ponikvar

Dear Gerarda,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this time.

my deepest condolences to you and your family for the loss of a great man, father, grandfather. 
Adrian Pope

Dear Geri, Sylvia and Olivia, We are sad to see your Dad leave us but just think of the rewards in heaven! I grew up with him as a mentor and my brother in law and as an adult I enjoyed sipping Irish Whisky on the deck and hearing him laugh and enjoy family times.  My husband called him friend and together they had many spirited talks.  Just think about your parents right now in heaven ... Lorraine has the red wine out, the roast is almost done and the candles are lit.  Raise a glass and send them our love. Aunt Georgette and Uncle Richard

My sincere condolences to the family with memories of his great support to me as principal with the TCDSB.

Fran Pileggi- Costantino

Dear Gerarda, Olivia and Sylvia,

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this time.

Your Dad was a wonderful, caring and fun-loving person who cherished his family. He will be missed.

As with so many others, we remember both your Mom & Dad and the great times we had during your years on Anstead and we extend our sincerest condolences,

Barbara & Clive Edwards

Dear Gerarda, Olivia and Sylvia,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad.  We remember your Mom and Dad as great friends and neighbours when we lived on Anstead Crescent in Ajax.  We had such fun parties so many years ago.  May your wonderful family memories help to ease your sorrow.
Sincerely, Jim and Brenda

Gerarda, Olivia & Sylvia.  We are thinking of you at this sad time.  Try to remember all the wonderful times we all had on Albery, Anstead and at the cottage on Burnt River.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

                                                       Jane & Frank Bourjot (Ajax)

Gerarda, Olivia and Sylvia.....We are thinking of you at this sad time...we shared many happy times with your Mom and Dad on Anstead Crescent....Your Dad had the Irish way of telling a good story.......Sylvia and Alan Dorricott. (Neighbours)

Geri, Olivia and Sylvia,   Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.  Your dad will be truly missed.  Ours Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Erica and family. God bless you in your time of sorrow. Sending love and prayers. 
Do not stand at my grave and weep 
I am not there. I do not sleep. 
I am a thousand winds that blow. 
I am the diamond glints on snow. 
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. 
I am the gentle autumn rain. 
When you awaken in the morning's hush 
I am the swift uplifting rush 
Of quiet birds in circled flight. 
I am the soft stars that shine at night. 
Do not stand at my grave and cry; 
I am not there. I did not die.

 Rest in peace Gerry. You worked hard for the good of both students and staff, and always showed a sense of fairness and justice for all. You were also very supportive and helpful to me when I was a rookie Principal. Thanks and eternal rest to you.

To the Stokes family. Gerry made a huge contribution to the board.  My sincere sympathies.
Pamela Roth

God bless you, Gerry. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, Gerarda, Olivia, and Sylvia at this time. Your dad was a kind and dear man, a treasured brother-in-law, and a loving uncle to our children. We will keep the many wonderful memories of him in our hearts.

Geri, Olivia and Sylvia...  Please accept our prayers and sympathies at the loss of your father. Though he will be sorely missed, we know he has been generously welcomed by those who love him and have gone before him.

Our deepest sympathies on the loss of dear Uncle Gerry.  He always had a kind word (or a great recipe) to share, and was so kind to our little Denny when he was born.  Many warm thoughts of him and Auntie Lorraine.  I know that he'll be welcomed with open arms by many up in heaven.

Please accept our condolences and prayers. I worked with Gerard at the former MSSB. Always a very accommodating and "Gentleman" who treated all with respect and courtesy. He was respected by all who worked with him.

Dear Geri, may God bless you and your family. Our hearts are with you, especially during this time of sorrow.

OBITUARY

Gerard Richard Stokes

October 12, 1929 – January 4, 2014

Oshawa Funeral Home

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