Gerald FITZ-GERALD

GERALD FITZ-GERALD
March 6, 1924 - September 14, 2012
It is with sadness the family of Gerald Fitz-Gerald (Gerry) announces his passing at Grace Hospice in Regina on Friday, September 14, 2012. Gerry was born in Arcola, Saskatchewan on March 6, 1924 to Maurice and Marjory Fitz-Gerald. He was home schooled by his parents until Grade 10 and then attended Grenfell High School until graduation. In 1942, Gerry began attending classes at the U of S but shortly after felt it was his duty to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces. When the war ended, he returned to classes and graduated in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a degree in Science and Agriculture. He worked as an Ag Rep for several years and then for Cominco (Elephant Brand Fertilizer) before returning to the family farm near Grenfell in 1963. On June 4, 1949, Gerry and Margaret MacKay (Peggy) were married in Saskatoon and spent just over 63 years together. Over those years, they raised a large family, operated the family farm and Gerry took a hand at teaching Agriculture for a number of years in Yorkton. Gerry worked hard at whatever he tried his hand at and counted a lot of money over the years as treasurer for St. Michael's Church, the Grenfell Legion, the Grenfell Athletic Association and the Pipestone Beavers Junior B hockey team. Gerry was an avid football fan and in fact played for the U of S Huskies for 2 years. He had a passion for hockey as well, playing until he was almost 60 years old and spent countless hours coaching his 4 sons' teams and attending as many of their games as possible. When the children left home and Gerry and Peggy were semi-retired and later retired, they became "snowbirds� for a number of years, enjoying the warmth of Phoenix and relaxing with friends. In 1999, they took a long anticipated trip to the U.K. and Ireland with their son Maurice. Gerry loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren so there were many trips to the coast, to cottages at various lakes or wherever one of them happened to be living at the time. Gerry was predeceased by his parents and his beloved granddaughter Shannon Fitz-Gerald. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, his 6 children: Mary and Ken, Brian and Heather, Maurice and Fiona, John and Wendy, Sheila, James and Barbara as well as 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Sheila Beaton and Oonagh MacDonald, many nieces and nephews and dear friends. The family extends its thanks and gratitude to the staff at both the Regina General Hospital (Unit 2E) and Grace Hospice for their many acts of kindness to Gerry and the family in his final weeks. A Celebration of Gerry's Life will be held in the Grenfell Legion Hall, Grenfell, SK. on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Willie Lourens officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grenfell Legion Memorial Wall Fund, Box 895, Grenfell, SK. S0G 2B0 or to the Grenfell Save the Pool Fund (cheques payable to the Town of Grenfell) Box 1120, Grenfell, SK. S0G 2B0 as tokens of reme brance.Cremation with interment at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.tubmanfh.com