Gerry Whitley passed away peacefully on November 11, 2020 with his wife, Mary, at his side. He had been under the care of the dedicated staff at Whistle Bend Place since April.
Born May 9, 1944 in Vancouver, BC and raised, along with his three younger siblings in Trail, B.C., Gerry Whitley fell in love with the Yukon in the 60’s. He shared this love with his wife, Mary, and their two daughters, Moriah and Rebecca, living first in Faro and then in Whitehorse.
While in Faro he worked as an assayer at the laboratory at Cyprus Anvil. In Whitehorse he worked for the Feds in their INAC department being responsible for water licenses. Later he was to become a fierce environmentalist, supporting programs by being an eye in the sky in his trusty Cessna 172 CFXJJ. He monitored the work of oil and gas exploration near Eagle Plains, as well as in SE Yukon. He did wetland surveys north of Watson Lake, followed otter tracks in the snow near Haunka Creek, and documented the changing hues of the downvalley ponds near the former Faro mine site. Every spring he flew ice surveys in M’Clintock bay documenting the dramatic changes.
For several years he was a coach and competitor at Biathlon. It was not unusual for him to be up all night grooming the trails and show up for the race the next day.
Most recently his interests took him star gazing on cold winter nights. He monitored natural radiation levels across the Yukon and across the country on a trip in 2019. Also on that trip he and Mary viewed spectacular bird migration advancing across the prairies as well as the surge of birds across Lake Erie to arrive at Pt. Pelee on his birthday.
He taught his daughters to analyze what they heard and read. They learned basic and not so basic car and truck repairs from him as well as canoeing skills. He lovingly cared for them on our many canoe and boat trips.
Recent interest in a lost American military aircraft from 1950 was sparked by Gerry. The story is becoming a documentary movie at this time, Skymaster Down.
A friend to all and beloved by many, Gerry was known for his passion and contributions to science, the environment, air search and rescue, and sport.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Gerry Whitley May 9 1944 November 11 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Whitehorse, Province: Colombie britanique