JAMES GIBSON

Kerr Gibson died peacefully, at Kensington Gardens, following a long and gradual decline in health. He had been enjoying frequent visits from his dear wife, Alison, often accompanied by their friend and carer, Millie Heaven. His daughters, Marny and Jane (Paul Wigle) were at his side when he died. His son, Jim (Michelle Gibson) had visited at Easter from Vancouver, as did his daughter, Nancy (Matthias Gagelmann) from Germany. He will be missed very much by his extensive family and far reaching network of friends as a man who was deeply interested in people of all sorts and in finding out what makes them tick. He loved to debate big ideas, tell jokes and give advice when it was needed (and sometimes even when it wasn't!). Up until his last days he was following the news, tennis and hockey, and he kept us all on our toes by requesting information on far-flung stories and personalities from the past. Kerr was born and grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, the third of four sons of Col. C.W.G. Gibson and Florence Gibson. He attended Hillfield College, Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto. He joined the army and went to war in Eu-rope, but luckily didn't make it to the battlefield before it was all over. After com-pleting his degree, he joined the Chartered Accountancy firm formerly known as Clarkson Gordon (now Ernst and Young) and became a partner and specialist in in-ternational tax affairs, continuing with the firm until his retirement in 1984. Kerr spent summers with his family on Lake Temagami, Ontario. In 1949 the Farm-ers, who were good friends of the family, were visiting Island 99. It was then that he met the love of his life, Alison Farmer, and they married in 1952 as soon as Alison graduated from McGill. They had five children, the third of whom, Anne, died as an infant. He was well known in the Wychwood Park neighbourhood in Toronto for his love of tennis and the fun he had with all the neighbouring kids, especially at Hallowe'en when he shocked us all with his horrible false teeth. Jokes, comedy and fun were the spice of life for him. He also liked to take on challenges, such as carving totem poles, painting portraits, inventing a new game (squashpong), defending the Liberals and cheering on the Ticats. After retiring Kerr and Alison moved to Ancaster, Ontario to join their many friends and relatives. Their closest neighbours were Kerr's brother and sister in-law, Colin and Jane Gibson. Recently he remarked that Colin was his dearest friend, that they were inseparable as children. In Ancaster, Kerr devoted much time volunteering wherever his financial expertise and organizing abilities were needed. He was an avid reader, opera lover, bridge player, traveler and dog-walker right up until his mid-nineties. Kerr loved so much about life and adored his many nieces, nephews and grandchil-dren, as they did him. When asked how he managed to keep motivated at such an advanced age he replied, "I just want to find out what happens next!" In the past year Kerr lived at Bridgepoint Hospital and Kensington Gardens. His fam-ily are very grateful for the wonderful care he received from all the medical staff and caregivers at both places. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, Kerr would want us all to celebrate life!