Born in Germany in 1939, Gerd Started his apprenticeship as a coal miner at the age of 14. He emigrated to Canada in 1957 with his extended family: parents Gustav and Maria, along with his sister Feli (Al Weiss, deceased) and son Klaus. His brothers Johannes (Maria) and Klaus (Alana) both predeceased him. The family settled in Northern Ontario, and Gerd worked as a gold miner and later also working on the family dairy farm. The family purchased a gas station in Englehart, moved a former school house to the site for a restaurant, and later added a motel.
Gerd married Nellie Oukes (deceased) in 1967 and had two children, Dina Kilby (Dave Martin) and Markus (Susan Vanderwindt). The extended family sold in Englehart, and purchased a motel in New Liskeard. In the late 70’s, the family again sold, purchased the Cloverleaf motel and moved to Cobourg. They built the Cobourg Motor Inn on this site, which later was sold and became the Best Western. The Wawa Motor Inn was their last foray in the hospitality industry.
In 1986, Gerd married Rosalind Henderson, who survives him. They enjoyed 34 years of hunting, trapshooting, woodworking, and building their hunt camp, home and various projects.
Gerd passed away peacefully at home with family, after a short illness. He will be dearly missed by his family, including his grandchildren Zachary (Sarah), Carissa (Matt), and Colby, and many nieces and nephews. Gerd will also be remembered with fondness by the Oukes, Gordon, Henderson, and Abrams families.
There will be a private family service held at a later date. Services have been entrusted to MacCoubrey Funeral Home 30 King St. E., Cobourg.
The family would like to thank Dr. Mule and Minke from St. Elizabeth’s for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a donation to Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre in Cobourg.
2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Gerd Bernhard
Becker 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Cobourg, Province: Ontario