Gerald (Gerry) James McQuade

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our beloved Gerry McQuade at the age of 86 years.  He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.  Gerry was preceded in death by his wife Diane Jenkevice McQuade (2017).  His mother and father Catherine McHugh McQuade and Michael McQuade of Montréal, Québec, and sister Ann Mary McQuade Mitchell of Nokesville, Virginia.  Gerry is survived by his 3 children, Colleen (Ahmed), Jim (daughter-in-law Sam) and Kelly, and grandchildren Casey, Brody (Maxie), Megan, Miko (Cherysse), Gabo (Bunny) and Raya (Zack), and great-grandchildren Max, Cameron, and Isla.  In addition to sisters-in-law Norma, Vivian and Huguette, and brother-in-law Alan.  Nieces Catherine, Kim, Karen, Holly, Marianne, and nephews Michael, Nils, Hans, Erik.  Cousins, Una, Della, Tom, Patrick, Jim, Michael, Olive and other family in Ireland and England.  He was very proud of his Irish roots and enjoyed many trips over the years to reconnect with family.

Gerry grew up in Montréal’s Dufferin Square, Pine Avenue East, and NDG where he enjoyed many years of basketball and school clubs.  He kept active throughout his entire life, with a huge passion for downhill skiing, workouts at the gym, running marathons, playing squash and much walking in later years.  A graduate of both Loyola (Concordia) and McGill University, with a bachelor in math and physics and an electrical engineering degree, he early on achieved his goal of working at IBM, continuing to for almost 2 decades.  Gerry eventually opened his own consulting business, Pythonic Management Corporation.  He and wife Diane moved from Ontario to British Columbia in 1994, where they dreamed of retiring in North Saanich on Vancouver Island.  Gerry’s love of Montréal’s Giovanni suits changed to a love of plaid shirts.  Throughout his career and into quieter years, Gerry mentored over 50 people in career and financial planning.  He held a seat on the Board of Directors for VIATEC, Canada Systems Group, Probus, and the Island Prostate Centre.  Gerry was a long-time advocate of philanthropy work and encouraged others to commit to posthumous donations.  A 27-year member in the Saanich Peninsula Toastmasters Club, Gerry was President for 5 of those years.  He also taught public speaking classes at St. Margaret’s School in Victoria for four terms.

Gerry was an extremely generous person – with both his time and resources.  He often travelled to watch his grandchildren’s sporting and dance competitions.  He was an exceptional “Grandad” and had an intense pride in his family.  He enjoyed the arrival of his 3 great-grandchildren and interactions with them by phone on “Gerry’s” line and in person.  He was most happy when gathering to share a meal with family, hearing about everyone’s day.

A special thank you to Dr. Ryan Liebscher and other dedicated health care professionals for the excellent care provided to Gerry.  Thanks for the warmth, kindness and respect shown by the teams at Island Health, VIHA, The BC Cancer Agency, Saanich Peninsula Hospital, Royal Jubilee Hospital, and Victoria General Hospital.

A celebration of life will be held to honour Gerry on Saturday, June 7, 2-4pm at Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive in Victoria, BC.  This will also be livestreamed via Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88271900147?pwd=cmiXiX0i9iKnUl6AaFLhCKHXXAuarm.1.  

Kindly RSVP to GerryMcQuadeService@gmail.com by May 23 to confirm in person or virtual attendance.  Feel free to send any written message via email that you would like to have included.  A plaque will be added to Diane’s bench at Pat Bay to include Gerry.  

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

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