MacDougall, Michael Gerard (Gerry)
With heavy hearts, Gerry’s family sadly announces his passing at St. Mary’s Hospital on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at the age of 91.
Beloved husband of 54 years to Mary MacDougall (nee Englert). Loving father of Tom MacDougall (Susan Raymond) and Anne (Paul) Filiatrault. Never Grandpa or Grandad but always simply “Gerry” to his grandchildren, he will be dearly missed by Elizabeth, James, and Grace. Dear brother of Joan MacDougall.
Predeceased by his parents, Michael and Laura MacDougall and his siblings, Basil, Henry and Eula.
Gerry was born in the town of Glace Bay, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and though he would later transplant himself to Ontario, his heart and thoughts remained strongly tied to the Maritimes and his family and friends there (for whom he will always be “Gerard”).
Memories of days spent swimming down at The Shore and skating on McIntyre’s pond worked their way into many stories of his early years. Regular trips home ensured that family ties remained strong and that Mary, Tom, and Anne were able to experience and come to love “down home”.
After earning a BSc in Chemistry (St. Francis Xavier U) and in Engineering (NS Technical U; now Dalhousie U), he moved to Ontario in 1956 where he worked a variety of engineering jobs before settling in Kitchener and becoming an industrial sales representative for GULF Canada Ltd. in 1963.
It was here that met the love of his life, and Mary and Gerry were married in 1966. Over the next 20 years, work took the family from Kitchener to Sudbury and then Barrie, Ontario. In retirement, Mary and Gerry returned to Kitchener. No matter where they lived, Gerry and Mary were active members of their local parish church.
Gerry loved engaging with people and sharing thoughts that he found intriguing or amusing, including many groan inducing jokes that he recycled constantly; not only to his family and friends, but also to just about anyone in close range no matter the setting. While this quality likely contributed to his successful career, it also benefited his retirement where he continued to make new friends while fully embracing his lifelong love of skiing and golfing. While in Kitchener, Gerry and Mary were active members of New Dundee Country Club. His more solitary passions included reading and aggressive gardening.
After introducing his young family to skiing at Chicopee, he joined Devils Glen Country Club soon after its inception. Gerry’s passion for skiing was evident in the 4-hour migrations to the Collingwood area each winter weekend while living in Sudbury, through to the near daily skiing with a close group of friends at “The Glen” well into retirement. Even after hanging up his skis for good in his 80th year, he continued to delight in the embrace of the sport by his children and beloved grandchildren.
Gerry loved life and valued not only jobs well done and ongoing education but also the value of relaxation and appreciation of friends and family. His humour, wit and love will be sorely missed.
Gerry’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467 from 1pm- 4pm on Sunday, October 18, 2020. The Funeral Mass will be held at Blessed Sacrament RC Church, 305 Laurentian Dr. Kitchener, on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11am. Private interment will follow on a later date. Please RSVP through the website or by calling the funeral home should one wish to attend the visitation or Mass. Masks are mandatory in the funeral home and church.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).
Visit www.henrywalser.com for Gerry’s memorial.
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Saturday October 10th 2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Michael Gerard MacDougall Saturday October 10th 2020..
Décès pour la Ville:Kitchener, Province: Ontario