Gerrit DeWIT

Our condolences and sympathies to Margriet and Gerry's family. Be assured that his tireless efforts for the memory of the fallen in the Netherlands, as expressed in the memorials in early May, were much appreciated by the local Dutch community and their friends.

Gerry became a friend, especially after he married my good friend Esther. I came to appreciate him for his strong Christian faith, his love of his homeland and his adopted country of Canada. He worked hard to make PG a better place and I will always think of him when I see the tulips at City Hall. My favourite mind picture of him is with Esther on a motorcycle. It will always make me smile. Rest well Gerry. May the angels carry you to your rest.

Gerry and I used to go out for lunch regularly, both in Prince George and Vancouver, as we immigrated to YVR about the same time. He'd share things about his family, his hopes, his faith, his aspirations. Always a project on the go. Lately a flame in his life. I was happy for him. He shared the cancer with me, I had promised to visit after Christmas (and his return home) but it never occurred. I have only met Esther; the rest of the family are unknown to me. I wish them God's peace and blessings at this time.

We have great memories of Jerry and his wife Esther. They had a Bed and Breakfast here in town and gave us good advice when we began our B & B.

I shall remember Gerry with great fondness. He was hugely supportive on my visits to MS Canada from the MS UK office. My sympathy and prayers at this time go to his family and friends

It was with much sadness that I learned that my good friend and fellow Christian, Jerry, had passed away. Jerry and I became friends shortly after I met him at First Christian Reformed Church. He was the first to welcome my wife and I to First and he invited me to go for coffee as there were "things" he wanted to discuss with me. That first coffee break turned into a regular lunch together where we shared a lot of the things, including health issues, that we had in common. Jerry was a loving, caring, good natured and thoughtful man and his faith in Christ was at the centre of his life. He was devoted to his family and to Margriet. I too will surely miss him.

I am sorry to hear of Jerry's passing. He was a very good person - one of those fine people who made PG a good community and place to live. My thoughts are with you.

On January the 22nd 2014 I received a voice mail from my old and dear friend Jerry.
Jerry struggled to speak gasping for breath every few words.
Here are the last few words of his call:
…please say a prayer for me, I really do need it. Thank you, thank you brother.
I of course immediatley interceded before the throne of Grace.
I called him later to tell him I had done what he asked me to-do. He thanked me.
Jerry and I go back some thirty years. He a life insurance agent me a business man. We had so much in common, the key being our Christian faith. I a Catholic, Jerry a protestant. However this did not drive a wedge between us, as we both knew we are members of the body of Christ.

Farewell my good friend until we meet again in the kingdom of God.

Eternal rest Grant unto him O Lord
and let perpetual light shine upon him
May he rest in peace. Amen

Robert O'Connor

A good friend and loving man,you will be sadly missed.