GERALD BRYAN HALL

HALL, GERALD BRYAN (GERRY) Gerald Bryan (Gerry) Hall died peacefully at Meighan Manor, Toronto on September 12, 2018. He was 87. He is survived by Margaret Hall (nee Garvey) his wife of 62 years; their children Kathleen (Will), Joe, John (Jessa), Rosemary (Steve), Andrea (Steve), Betsy (Jay) and Andrew (Rachel); their grandchildren Daisy, James, Quinn, Aluki, Charley, Garvey and Maxi; his sister Daisy; sisters-in-law Bernie (John) and Betty-Ann; brothers-in-law Mike (Diana) and Ray; his cousins Charlene (Rod) and Katherine; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Gerald and Alexanderina; his sisters Geraldine, Olga, Kay, Doreen and Paddy; and sister-in-law Patsy. Gerry was born in Hamilton on April 26, 1931. He was raised in Toronto's east end and remembered fondly his schooldays at Gledhill and Malvern Collegiate. He went on to attend Ryerson, where he earned one of that school's first diplomas in Journalism and met fellow journalism student Margaret Garvey. He joined the Toronto Star in 1954. He travelled the world and brought millions of readers along with him as the paper's travel editor for nearly two decades. Gerry saw his job not only as a trip advisor, but as an advocate for the new flyers of the jet age, ensuring that airlines, tour companies and government regulators treated them fairly. Travel writing was a passion that led him to author three books about Canada and take on the Presidency of the Society of American Travel Writers. Before his retirement in 1991, Gerry worked in several senior management positions at the Star, including Sunday editor, Sports editor and assistant managing editor in charge of features. Gerry was an avid and knowledgeable sports fan, taking particular interests in NFL football and Toronto Blue Jays baseball. He was a season ticket holder from that snowy day one at Exhibition Stadium. But Gerry's true love on the sporting scene was the ponies. As his dear departed friend, Jack Brehl, said of Gerry and a famous classmate, "while at Malvern Collegiate Glenn Gould found music and Gerry found Woodbine Racetrack". He also loved music, often "encouraging" his seven grumbling kids to rise in the morning by relentlessly singing groan-worthy ditties he would make up as he went along. He rarely sang the actual words to any song. He took delight in his grandchildren, who were treated to hours on the swing accompanied by his arsenal of children's songs. Gerry was always grateful for his many friends and his family is grateful for the devotion of George Gamester, who was always able to bring back fond memories despite Gerry's struggle with dementia. The family would like to thank Annette and the team at Headwaters' E wing as well as Annie and the staff at Meighen Manor for their kind care. In Gerry's memory, donations may be made to Toronto Star Fresh Air Fund or the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund. A memorial will be held in Toronto on Sunday, October 28th at Twenty Toronto Street Conference and Events, 20 Toronto St., 2nd floor. The family will receive guests beginning at 2:30 p.m. Speakers will share some memories of Gerry starting at 4:00 p.m.