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BORN
March 21, 1926
DIED
May 18, 2025
Albert Addy Obituary
Gerry passed away in Qualicum Beach on May 18, 2025, at the age of 99 with family members by his side. Surviving him are his wife Ruth, daughters Karen and Christine (Ron), and his son Craig. Son Brian passed away in 2016. His extended family included grandchildren, Kyle, Eileen, and Carling, and great-grandson Jacob.
To know Gerry was to love him; honest, humorous, compassionate, idealistic, and truly a gentleman. His family loved him deeply.
Gerry was born in West Vancouver, where he gained his early education. Then he boarded a ferry to get to UBC, where he earned an education degree and majored in chemistry. Gerry's professional career began in elementary school in West Vancouver and continued in secondary school in North Vancouver. Gerry set high standards for himself and diligently adhered to them. He became a principal, providing progressive leadership for many. Because he was constantly learning, his quest for excellence in educational practice was optimized by visits to 20 notable schools in England and to UCLA in Los Angeles.
Until his retirement, Gerry enjoyed many community activities. He learned to conduct choirs and led the church choir, organized benefit concerts and acted in original amateur theatre where his talents as a comic were applauded. Also, he became an entrepreneur, founding with other family members a school supply business called Schoolworks. He travelled throughout BC as chief salesman.
Gerry was keenly interested in sports. He played soccer and enjoyed all sports. His competitive energies were rewarded in table tennis. He won many tournaments in Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, and Portland, becoming the #2 ranked player at the 1954 Canadian Championships in Toronto.
Upon retirement, Gerry and Ruth moved to Qualicum Beach. At Seacrest by the ocean, they had built the cottage of their dreams. Gerry had already hand-cut wonderful cedar shake shingles from fallen trees and began to develop his precise carpentry skills in his usual exact way. Now he had time. Tennis, golf, bridge, and gardening became absorbing pastimes. At home, games of every kind were always available, while travels for Schoolworks continued. Now, Gerry's lifelong regard for the natural world resulted in a serious commitment to the climate change issue and he devoted his energies to the Qualicum Institute and the Parksville Probus Club.
Gerry's curiosity never faltered. Just weeks ago, he asked Craig to teach him how to play the piano, something he always wanted to do.
Happy memories of Gerry's devotion will linger in our hearts. We are grateful for the kindness shown to him by his doctors, Dr. Wagenaar and Dr. Dala Lana, to the nursing staff at the Gardens in Qualicum, and to Margo Gregson, his caregiver.
A private celebration of Gerry's life will take place in June
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
To know Gerry was to love him; honest, humorous, compassionate, idealistic, and truly a gentleman. His family loved him deeply.
Gerry was born in West Vancouver, where he gained his early education. Then he boarded a ferry to get to UBC, where he earned an education degree and majored in chemistry. Gerry's professional career began in elementary school in West Vancouver and continued in secondary school in North Vancouver. Gerry set high standards for himself and diligently adhered to them. He became a principal, providing progressive leadership for many. Because he was constantly learning, his quest for excellence in educational practice was optimized by visits to 20 notable schools in England and to UCLA in Los Angeles.
Until his retirement, Gerry enjoyed many community activities. He learned to conduct choirs and led the church choir, organized benefit concerts and acted in original amateur theatre where his talents as a comic were applauded. Also, he became an entrepreneur, founding with other family members a school supply business called Schoolworks. He travelled throughout BC as chief salesman.
Gerry was keenly interested in sports. He played soccer and enjoyed all sports. His competitive energies were rewarded in table tennis. He won many tournaments in Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, and Portland, becoming the #2 ranked player at the 1954 Canadian Championships in Toronto.
Upon retirement, Gerry and Ruth moved to Qualicum Beach. At Seacrest by the ocean, they had built the cottage of their dreams. Gerry had already hand-cut wonderful cedar shake shingles from fallen trees and began to develop his precise carpentry skills in his usual exact way. Now he had time. Tennis, golf, bridge, and gardening became absorbing pastimes. At home, games of every kind were always available, while travels for Schoolworks continued. Now, Gerry's lifelong regard for the natural world resulted in a serious commitment to the climate change issue and he devoted his energies to the Qualicum Institute and the Parksville Probus Club.
Gerry's curiosity never faltered. Just weeks ago, he asked Craig to teach him how to play the piano, something he always wanted to do.
Happy memories of Gerry's devotion will linger in our hearts. We are grateful for the kindness shown to him by his doctors, Dr. Wagenaar and Dr. Dala Lana, to the nursing staff at the Gardens in Qualicum, and to Margo Gregson, his caregiver.
A private celebration of Gerry's life will take place in June
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by North Shore News from Jun. 11 to Jul. 11, 2025.
