Gerald Mitchinson

February 12, 1932 - November 02, 2025

Gerald Mitchinson--pilot, pastor, teacher, storyteller, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather--passed away peacefully Sunday morning, November 2, with family at his side.
Born on February 12, 1932, in Hardisty, Alberta, Gerry grew up in Sutherland (now part of Saskatoon), Saskatchewan, where his father worked as a railroad fireman. Older brother Harold flew in the RAF during WWII, and later taught young Gerald to fly. At just 13, he soloed his first flight--at the time, the youngest in Canada to do so.
After high school, Gerry joined the RCAF, earned his pilot's wings at RCAF Station Centralia, and served with the 406 Auxiliary Squadron in Saskatoon, flying everything from Tiger Moths to T-33 jets. He later turned his sights toward teaching and theology, earning a master's degree in Economics and Political Science, a diploma in Education, and finally a call to ministry.
In 1957 he married his life partner, Doreen Greve, in Lanigan, Saskatchewan. Together they raised four children--Don, Karen, Marty, and Paul. He spent many summers bush piloting in northern Saskatchewan as a young father, writing long and detailed letters to each of his young children.
Gerry's calling as a Lutheran pastor led him across Canada--from St. Catharines, Ontario, where he oversaw the construction of a church, to far northern Alberta with the Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots (LAMP), serving communities surrounding High Level in the 1970s and 1980s. Later, he and Doreen ventured even further north to Yellowknife, where Gerald pastored the flock of Holy Family Lutheran Church, and Doreen continued her medical practice in farflung areas of the Northwest Territories.
In 1992, they retired to Victoria, where Gerry continued to serve part-time as a pastor in Port Alberni for a few years. They treasured their years in BC, spending time with Harold and his family, and welcoming a constant stream of family and wellwishers. But the focus of their social and spiritual life was the Lutheran Church of the Cross, where they formed many close friendships that lasted the rest of their lives. Both faced health challenges. As Doreen's mobility declined, Gerry made daily visits through rain and snow to sit by her side after she moved into long-term care. In 2018, she was welcomed into heaven.
He delighted in his grandchildren--Jaclyn, Shane, Dylan, Megan, Clara, and Thomas--and in recent years, found joy in becoming a great-grandfather to Rhett and Sloane.
In 2023, Gerry made one last big move--to Powell River, BC--to live closer to Don, Marty and Coco. Cared for by all his children and their partners, he shared endless memories of aviation derring-do and (a particular favorite) church politics.
He is predeceased by his beloved wife, Doreen, and his three siblings, Harold, George and Reenee. He is survived by his children Don (Maggie Mondey), Karen (George Greer), Martin (Coco Hess) and Paul (Michelle Wiart), and remembered with love and gratitude by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and all those whose lives he touched with his warmth, wit, and faith.
A funeral service will be held at the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Victoria on Wednesday November 26, 2025 at 1pm Pacific Time, and livestreamed at http://lutheranvictoria.ca/live
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Victoria (https://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/giving), the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon (https://lutherantheological.ca/give), or St David and St Paul Anglican Church in Powell River.