Gerald Jansen
October 13, 1933 – June 30, 2019
Gerard (Gerry) JANSEN Passed away peacefully at Willow Hall in Dartmouth N.S. on June 30, 2019, at age 85.
Gerard was from a family of 10 children, living in Amsterdam. Four of the ten are still living: (Ms) Tonny , (Ms) Willy and Harry in the Netherlands, and Jan in West Vancouver, B.C.
Gerard did not have an easy youth during the depression and later war years and famine. He had six years of elementary education and 2 years of trade school, learning how to be a house painter. He started to work at age 16. A few years later he took an interest into the clarinet; and through sheer will power and discipline he became an accomplished player, after spending all his free time practising and his hard-earned money for clarinet lessons. In 1958 he passed an audition at the Canadian Embassy in The Hague, Holland, and became a career soldier-musician/band player in the Strathcona Regiment of Halifax, N.S.
After 8 years he took ill and received a medical and honourable discharge. For the next 25 years he played professionally in many bands, such as CBC Orchestra, 48th Highlanders of Canada Regiment and in many ethnic dance bands in Montreal, Toronto, Windsor and Detroit. Sickness overtook him. For the past 25 years he was looked after in care homes: a quiet loner with contentment.
We honor his memory. We thank Willow Hall’s nursing staff. His funeral is being planned through the Dartmouth Funeral Home. Being a musician, the skirls of the pipes will be heard at his funeral site.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gerald Jansen October 13 1933 June 30 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia