Obituary
Gerald passed away peacefully at Cassellholme after a short illness that allowed his granddaughters to say good-bye. He enjoyed excellent and compassionate care there in his last five months.
Survived by son John (Helen) who took care of Dad since he was widowed in July 2015. Sisters Marilyn (Ralph) Luft of Kitchener Ontario and Joy (Don) Carpenter of Wickham New Brunswick. Grandchildren Eric (Tina) Thibault in northern Michigan, Sarah (Luc) Vailloncourt of Blezard Valley Ontario, and Tanya (Billy) Jackpine of Chelmsford Ontario, plus their children. There are also 20 or so nieces and nephews across Canada.
Predeceased by wife of 57 years Maria, daughter Linda, brothers Earl (Alice) and Bill (Doris still alive) and sisters Jean, Betty (Allen) Schwartz, and Audrey(Howard) Gibbons.
Jerry grew up on a small farm that is now part of Kitchener, leaving school in grade 8 when he turned 14 although later aptitude tests showed as high school and mostly university level knowledge. He hired out as a field labourer from the age of 10 (starting at 5 cents an hour) until starting at Lang’s tannery then almost 20 years at General Springs factory where he met his wife, Maria. They took a hotel/motel management course and drove as far as British Columbia in 1968 looking for a property to buy then got an overgrown campground with cabins on Pimisi Lake east of North Bay. There was not enough business to support a family of 4 so in 1970 he got on with the ONR, retiring in 1992 as the pump repairman (plumber) responsible for all buildings as far north as Moosonee. The resort was sold in 1984 since it was getting too busy for part-time care (it is 2 owners later known as Pigeon’s Nest). They bought 2 houses with a total of 7 apartments in North Bay. The big house was sold in 1999 and paid to have the smaller house torn down and rebuilt from the basement up plus a last nice 2-month trip to Germany where Maria grew up.
As per his wishes he is being cremated. A viewing of the urn will be at McGuinty Funeral Home (North Bay) on Wednesday March 23, 2022, from 11am to 1pm with a funeral Mass at the Pro-Cathedral at 1:30 pm. Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation will be gratefully acknowledged.Interment will be in the summer at Memory Gardens Cemetery near Kitchener beside Maria. Online condolences may be made at www.mcguintyfuneralhome.com
To send flowers to Gerald’s family, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Gerald Ermel January 20 1928 March 16 2022 (age 94)..
Death notice for the town of: North-Bay,, Province: Ontario