Born in Windsor, Ontario to Adam and Olive Neely, Gerry lived a long life filled with loving relationships with family and friends, tremendous accomplishments in his chosen profession and community service, a curiosity about the world around him, and the gift of a sense of humour that resonated with everyone he met. And throughout, he was a gentle man and a gentleman.
After a childhood spent in the Walkerville area of Windsor, he completed a Bachelor of Arts – Honours Economics & Political Science at the University of Western Ontario in 1951. He joined the Toronto brokerage office of A.E. Ames & Co later that year, and was then transferred to the Victoria office in 1952. A few months later, in April 1953, he met the love of his life Patricia (on a blind date) and after a brief return to Toronto, started at UBC Law in the fall of 1954. Gerry and Pat were the first “marrieds” in the class and celebrated 66 years of marriage in February this year.
Gerry was the first articling student at one of Victoria’s oldest firms Pearlman & Lindholm. Following his call to the Bar in 1958, he established a solicitor’s practice with a focus on commercial and residential real estate, and wills, estates & trusts. He became a partner in 1965, changed to associate counsel circa 1999 and retired from practice in 2005. A life in the law with one firm is rare indeed and Gerry was the epitome of one who serves others with loyalty to them and their interests.
It was his work with the British Columbia Real Estate Association and the Victoria Real Estate Board where his people and professional skills shone. In 1999, Gerry was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the British Columbia Real Estate Association in recognition of his counsel and service to the industry. In the same year, he was named as an Honorary Member of the Victoria Real Estate Board in recognition of 25 years of service as Board solicitor. In 2006, he celebrated the 25th anniversary of Legally Speaking described as “one of the most trusted publications for real estate professionals in BC”. Gerry summarized in excess of five hundred cases in a manner that translated legal jargon into entertaining reading, turning risk avoidance into a welcome task.
He was a member and officer of the Victoria Bar Association and a member, officer and speaker for the Victoria Estate Planning Council. In 2007, the Victoria Bar Association acknowledged his lifetime accomplishments with the Contribution to the Law award.
Gerry was engaged in his community and, together with Pat, served many organizations including the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children, Downtown Victoria Business Association, Probus Club of Royal Oak and the Victoria Symphony Society. He was a Life Member of the Union Club of British Columbia, and he and Pat were active members of the Camosun Gyro Club for over 55 years, a cherished fellowship of friends and fun that brought great joy to them.
Gerry and Pat enjoyed vacations in Hawaii and hiking in the Rockies at Lake O’Hara (long into their 80’s), several trips to Europe, and relaxing times in the Gulf Islands at the family cottage.
Family was cherished by Gerry. With their daughter Sara’s arrival, the three began a life that would be woven together over the decades with those of other family members, including many nieces and nephews, and later Sara’s husband Ken (d. 2008) and his family.
Always welcoming, Gerry and Pat loved to entertain. Gerry was interested in the lives of others and took great pleasure in hearing their stories. When the three of us traveled together and where there was any shopping involved, Gerry could be found checking out the interesting sights and the food fair. We would find him chatting with people, reading the local newspaper or happily whistling.
Gerry is dearly missed by his loving wife Patricia and their daughter Sara, his brother Stewart, nieces and nephews, and many friends. Pat and Sara extend their gratitude to the staff at Sunrise Senior Living Victoria for their exceptional care of Gerry in the last two months.
A Celebration of Gerry’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please support the Victoria Symphony Society which has brought the joy of music to our family for decades.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
35 Responses
So sorry to learn of Gerry’s passing. Gerry was a very competent solicitor and more than anything, was always friendly and humourous. I have fond memories of meeting him often in the mornings as he hiked across town to P and L. One of my earliest memories of Gerry was spending an evening with him and Noel Paget when the 2 of them tag-teamed in a most hilarious dialogue. It is sad to see that whole generation of fine lawyers moving on, and i think of alan emery, Chris Randall, George Jones, Jim Carfra, and may others who made the Victoria Bar Association so strong for many years. Condolences to the family, and yes, the obit is wonderfully written and captures the spirit and contributions of a great man.
Dear Pat and Sara
How fortunate we are when we meet a very fine gentleman and we are left with enduring memories of his presence. My condolences to you both.
Dear Patricia, Sara and Stewart,
My deepest condolences for Gerry’s passing. As a young Realtor in the early 90’s Gerry’s Legally Speaking articles we a must read for my business practice. He brought a professionalism to our industry that can’t be appreciated enough. Over the years I have enjoyed visiting with him at every Christmas lunch and Past President’s dinner. As a proud Honorary Member of our Board, he never missed them and his stories and insight will be dearly missed.
Blessings.
Hi Pat and Sara,
I was sorry to read of Gerry’s passing in the newspaper. I enjoyed our years together in the Union Club gym. Gerry was always kind and cheerful to me. He will be missed.
Lots of love,
Melissa Krieger
Dear Pat, Sarah and Neely family:
I am very sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. He was a big influence in my professional life, a great mentor and a helpful tutor. His sense of humor and unfailing gentlemanliness made him a a special man professionally and in private life. I will remember him fondly.
For myself particularly and for the Lindholm family generally, I want to extend to you our sorrow
and our best wishes for you at this time.
Mark Lindholm
Dear Pat and Sara, Loving thoughts are with you at this time.
when we moved into this house in 1964, someone remarked that one doesn’t often see the couple’s lawyer helping to move bedroom furniture! He was obviously first a friend, secondarily a lawyer.
May you both be upheld and blessed!
Sincerely,
Dorothy Robertson.
Condolences to you and your family. Take comfort in the thought of his long and loving life well lived.
Sara, We were so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. We are thinking of you and your Mom now and sending our best from all of us at Glenlyon Norfolk School.
Sincerely, Chad & Mary Anne
My deepest sympathy Pat. I was proud of Gerry as an outstanding representative of a legal practitioner and legal colleague. Such a gentleman but such a wicked sense of humour when at ease with his friends at Gyro. He will not be forgotten. Bless you as you struggle to carry on.
Your Gyro friends are standing by to await your call in time of need.
I am thankful to have had Gerry as a friend over the past 30 years. My father and he also had a friendship going back to high school times. Even though I work for Pat and Gerry, I always considered our relationship more akin to family and friend. I will miss seeing him on Wednesday afternoons during coffee breaks, but I will cherish the memories of his warm smile and sense of humour.