Obituary
It is with great sadness that the family of Robert B. Gerrard announces his passing on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at the age of 87. Robert was born in Fairview, Alberta, on July 2, 1935, to Robert and Edna (Hoy) Gerrard. He was the youngest of 6 children. Janet, Catherine (Tat), Willy, Olive, Ada, and Robert.
Robert was born at home on July 2, 1935, into a farming family. His parents homesteaded in the Peace Country. He attended the Green Island School, Waterhole School, and Fairview Public School. Robert began grade 11 here but went farming when his father passed away. Robert was only 16 years old at the time, but his role in carrying on the family farm increased significantly.
On January 11, 1961, Robert married Joyce Deacon; they had four children: Brenda, Robert, Terry and Bruce. The family spent many years on the farm together.
Robert enjoyed hunting, boating, curling, billiards, hockey, card games and horses, especially with the family. He even coached the local PeeWee hockey team his son Bruce played on and led them to a league championship.
Joyce passed away in 2003. Robert met Betty Zacharias, and they built a relationship together. Betty had a son named Andrew. The 3 of them continued to farm together for several years.
Robert truly loved farming and horses. He had a special bond with his prize-cutting horse Dell. The two spent many years together, herding cattle to and from pasture.
In the later years, when he wasn’t outside working on equipment or chasing cattle on horseback, he could often watch the Blue Jays game or play cards with friends and family. After retiring from farming Robert and Betty moved to Pouce Coupe, British Columbia and lived there for several years before deciding to move back to Fairview.
Robert and Betty decided to get married in 2015. Sadly, Robert suffered several severe strokes in 2016 and, as a result, lost mobility and communication ability. He was placed in the care of the Fairview Long Term care facility. Betty decided to downsize and bought Robert’s mother Edna’s old home, which was only one block from the hospital, so that she could be within walking distance of Long Term Care. She went to the Long Term Care facility every day for three and a half years to help feed and care for Robert. Due to staffing shortages and care complications at the Long Term Care, Betty decided to purchase the appropriate medical equipment and take Robert home and care for him there. Betty and some hired help provided top-notch care for him at home for the last years of his life. Robert became ill in his home on September 28, 2022, and was soon transferred to Fairview Hospital. After a week of ups and downs in the hospital, Robert passed away on the early morning of October 11, 2022.
Robert is survived by his wife Betty, his older sisters Olive and Ada, and all of his children, Brenda, Robert, Terry, Bruce and Andrew.
A memorial service for Robert will be held at the E.E.Oliver School gymnasium in Fairview on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Doors will open at 1:00 pm, and the service will begin at 2:30 pm. A burial ceremony will follow at the Waterhole Cemetery.
For those who cannot attend the memorial service in person, there will be a live stream available here.
A video recording will also be made available afterwards.
Donations in Robert’s honour can be made to Fairview Longterm Care.
Care has been entrusted to Peace Valley Funeral Home.
780-835-3306
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Robert Borden Gerrard July 2 1935 October 11 2022 (age 87)..

Peace Valley Funeral Home

Death notice for the town of: Fairview, Province: Alberta

death notice Robert Borden Gerrard July 2 1935 October 11 2022 (age 87)

mortuary notice Robert Borden Gerrard July 2 1935 October 11 2022 (age 87)