Born January 20, 1949 in Edmonton, Alberta, Gerry lived his life to the fullest, making political comments, regaling us with stories, telling jokes and drinking large dark roast coffees. He loved all food especially Chinese takeaway, beer, steaks and red wine. One great joy was travelling to visit relatives in England, Holland and finding new adventures in Hawaii. Most people remembered Gerry’s witty and unique sense of humour. He was a long-time member of the Lions Club in St. Paul, Whitehorse and Esquimalt. He was an active board member of the Esquimalt Garden Club. Gerry left us unexpectedly on March 31, 2013.
He is survived by his spouse, Karen Ballinger; his daughter, Seana (Lee); stepson, Jeremy (Christine); step-daughter, Marsha (Jeff); two grandsons, Ethan and Sawyer; his sisters, Linda (Don) and Betty Anne (Brian) and their children, as well as numerous extended family and friends. He survived Ralph Klein by two days. Service to be held 2:00 pm on Thursday, April 4th at McCall’s Downtown, Johnson & Vancouver Streets in Victoria. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Joyce and Bob Davies
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Brian and Jan Luther We love you Seana and we know you are going to miss your dad. He died too young but although we didn’t know him, we can see he had a full life. You were probably one of the primary reasons for that and as parents we know how important that is. You will miss him but you will not forget him. Come and see us when you are home.
Jan and Brian
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Delmer Samson Karen,
May you find comfort in your faith and in knowing that many thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy.
Delmer
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Lin McPhee Karen and Family
I am so sad and shocked to hear of Gerry’s passing. I still can’t wrap my head around it.! Although I’ve only known Gerry a short time through the Lions Club I enjoyed his kindness and his sense of humour. He will be deeply missed. My deepest sympathy to you and the family
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Paul Coleman I worked with Gerald at ITB (Income Taxation Branch) and always enjoyed his sense of humour. He will be missed.
He would get a kick out the fact I am wearing a suit and tie in his honour but left my Tilley at home.
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Pam Haere Karen, I am sad to learn of Gerry’s passing. I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my sincere sympathy.
Pam
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Gordon Gunn Karen and family, I would like to express my condolences and those of the Board of Directors of the Financial Management Institute of Canada (Victoria). Gerry was a long-time member of our board and a colleague. He will be missed.
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Maurice Donohue Dear Karen
I am so sorry to hear about Gerry passing. I am glad I insisted we meet for lunch just before Christmas, although I never thought it would be our last. Gerry had the last real opinion -I liked to listen to the most, I mean Gerry said it like no other, straight forward, deal with it!, but always followed with a laugh. I’m going to miss Gerry. If there is anything I can do for you Karen I’m just a email away.
Regards,
Maurice
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Paul Wickens Karen & family
I . . . I . . . I . . . am so shocked. We had strawberry short cake together on Thursday. I will miss the big guy. Pledge you my support – whatever you need.
Wear your love like heaven.
Paul
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Seeta J. Neal Dear Karen
You may not remember me but I used to walk behind you and Gerry as you walked into work after his first surgery. I lived on View Street and would walk into 1802 Douglas where I worked for the same department as Gerry . I am now in the Mississauga office. I was so happy to chat with Gerry last fall when I visited the island and yes, he had the same wit and humour as he always had. It is indeed sad to hear that his vibrant light has been extinguished. My thoughts are with you and family at this trying time.
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Pamela Desjardine Karen, you are in my heart and thoughts as you travel this journey.
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carol and Joe Karen, Gerry with be missed by many not just for what he’s done but also by who he was. We’re just a phone call away if you need anything, Carol and Joe
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Brian Morin We are saddened to hear the news of your loss Karen and our hearts go out to you. Gerry has served our community of Esquimalt through Lions for 18 years. As you know he has been an active member on our executive including two terms as president and on many Lions Projects throughout his time with us. He definitely will be missed
Lion and friend Brian Morin
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Bonnie Caroline Noble Karen, I have you in my heart with deepest sympathy and also send condolences to all your family. I’m not far away and can be with you in minutes should you need me. . . with love, Bonnie Caroline
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Shylene Schlackl Earlier this year I read this quote and I want to share it with you today!
much love and energy!
“You want a physicist to speak at your funeral. You want the physicist to talk to your grieving family about the conservation of energy, so they will understand that your energy has not died. You want the physicist to remind your children about the first law of thermodynamics; that no energy gets created in the universe, and none is destroyed. You want your …children to know that all your energy, every vibration, every Btu of heat, every wave of every particle that was their beloved father remains with them in this world. You want the physicist to tell them that amid energies of the cosmos, you gave as good as you got.
And at one point you’d hope that the physicist would step down from the pulpit and walk to your brokenhearted family and tell them that all the photons that ever bounced off your face, all the particles whose paths were interrupted by your smile, by the touch of your hair, hundreds of trillions of particles, have raced off like children, their ways forever changed by you. And as your family rock in each others’ arms, may the physicist let them know that all the photons that bounced from you were gathered in the particle detectors that are their eyes, that those photons created within them constellations of electromagnetically charged neurons whose energy will go on forever.
And the physicist will remind the congregation of how much of all our energy is given off as heat. There may be a few fanning themselves with their programs as he says it. And he will tell them that the warmth that flowed through you in life is still here, still part of all that we are, even as we who mourn continue the heat of our own lives.
And you’ll want the physicist to explain to those who loved you that they need not have faith; indeed, they should not have faith. Let them know that they can measure, that scientists have measured precisely the conservation of energy and found it accurate, verifiable and consistent across space and time. You can hope your family will examine the evidence and satisfy themselves that the science is sound and that they’ll be comforted to know your energy’s still around. According to the law of the conservation of energy, not a bit of you is gone; you’re just less orderly. ”
~Aaron Freeman
Karen, we were down south when this happened and just heard the sad news today. I also was in denial because a week ago I drove through Esquimalt and passed another driver who looked like Gerry and thought that it was him. I hope that you will find comfort and solace in your garden and your writing. I tried to email you awhile ago and it didn’t work, please send me your new one. A big hug from Joyce and Bob.