It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, father, opa, brother, uncle and friend, Gerard Mulder, at Vernon Jubilee Hospital from cancer. Gerard is survived by his wife, Annie of 47 years and children; Wilfried (Nikki), Rosalinde, Andrea, and Helga (Jeff), and grandkids; Mya, Alexander, Brooklyn, Addison and Ivy. He is also survived by his sisters; Lidi (Geert), Annie (Cor), Willie (Jan), and extended family in Europe.
Gerard was born in Doornenburg, the Netherlands in 1947. He grew up studying horticulture and agriculture and worked on the family farm. He met the love of his life, Annie, in 1968 and they married in 1973. They welcomed their first child Wilfried in 1975 followed by their daughters; Rosalinde in 1976, Andrea in 1978 and Helga in 1979.
In 1980 Gerard and Annie immigrated with their young family to a dairy farm in PEI, Canada. Gerard worked very hard to build a successful dairy farm despite many challenges & setbacks including an injured back which he lived with for the remainder of his years. In 1992 Gerard and Annie sold the farm to move their family west to Vernon, BC and spent a lot of time at their coffee shop. In 2005 they moved to Falkland, BC back to the country, though returned to Vernon a few years later.
Gerard was a man of many talents with a big personality and is particularly remembered for his beautiful wood carvings. He was a charter member of the Prince County Woodcarvers Guild in PEI, and a founding member of the North Okanagan Carver’s Society in BC. He was a welder, built stunning cedar strip canoes, created outstanding pottery and clay sculptures, loved life drawing, made jewelry, did lapidary, dabbled in photography and taxidermy, built clocks and enjoyed brewing beer and wine.
Gerard loved the outdoors camping, hunting, fishing, gold panning, rockhounding, gardening, French/Belgian Ring, Schutzhund dog training, and target shooting. Gerard was a member of many clubs including the Summerside Amateur Radio Club (VY2GMU), North Okanagan Radio Amateur Club (VE7NOC), Vernon Collectors Club, Vernon Mineral and Lapidary Club, Vernon Fish and Game Club, local Tai Chi, a past board member at the Vernon Community Arts Centre, a member of nature clubs and enjoyed sharing stories with his weekly coffee club.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation at vjhfoundation.org or by calling 250-558-1362.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gerard Mulder November 19th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Vernon, Province: Colombie britanique