Born into a family of eight children in the Netherlands, Dad emigrated to Canada in 1959 after spending two years in Germany with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).
Dad’s journey to Canada began in Edmonton where he continued with the PPCLI band as an oboist and later joined the Edmonton Symphony. It was in Edmonton where he met and married Johanna and where Mike and Audra were born. Later, the family moved to Calgary where he continued with the PPCLI and where Kevin was born. The family moved to Victoria in 1970 where Dad began his career with the Naden Band.
With the Naden Band, Gerry was a highly respected oboe player as well as a percussionist when on parades. He retired as a Petty Officer; 2nd Class in 1986. He also played drums with the Checkmates, a local Victoria band.
In retirement he continued his hobby of raising fancy pigeons, tennis, and travel. His destination was mostly the same – Amersfoort in Holland where he was always warmly welcomed by his sister Betty and his brother-in-law, Joop and kids. As Betty noted, her brother lived with one leg in Canada and the other in Holland.
Dad loved a good joke, friends and family and a “lekker” Dutch meal.
His family would like to gratefully acknowledge all the caregivers at the Sunset Lodge for their compassion, care, and kindness.
A service will be held on Tuesday, August 24 at 1:00 pm at Our Lady of the Assumption Church 7742 West Saanich Road. There will be a small informal reception at a private residence to follow.
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