Dearly loved by his wife Lesley, adored by his daughters Pat (Greg), Colleen (Bruce), Beverley (Brad), and his grandchildren Bo (Meghan), Zack, Mariah (Joni), Shane, Brock (Chantal), and Brynn; predeceased by his parents René and Lucienne, and his first wife Mary.
Gérard lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed a very privileged upbringing in the outskirts of Paris, where his grandfather Antoine was his hero. Antoine introduced Gérard to pole vaulting, a passion that continued throughout his life. One of Gérard’s proudest moments was when he won the pole vault at French Junior National Championships. Antoine and Gérard also spent many happy hours fossil hunting in the quarries of Pontoise. Mountain-climbing was another passion, and Gérard’s ascents included Mt. McKinlay, the Matterhorn, Mt. Blanc, Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens (before the eruption), and Mt. Baker. Mt. Shuksan always eluded him, primarily due to bad weather. His trips to Mt. Arrowsmith were legendary. Gérard’s father introduced him to the joys of Formula One car racing (the driver Louis Rosier was a family friend). And although Gérard was simply an enthusiastic spectator, anyone who has driven with him knows that Gérard liked speed.
At the end of his stint in Algeria during the war (part of his National Service), Gérard wanted to escape. He came to Victoria where his friend Henry was working and met Mary, his first wife. Although trained in hotel and restaurant management, Gérard found work in the Operating Room of the Victoria General Hospital, where he spent many happy years. He also continued to pole vault and competed in Masters competitions around the world. At the same time, he was the track coach at UVic in the 1970s, and a volunteer pole vault coach for the Victoria Track and Field club for almost fifty years. More than anything, Gérard wanted his athletes to love the sport.
Despite living in Victoria for most of his life, Gérard remained rigidly French: he always wanted bread at meals, wine was a staple, and kissing on greeting was de rigeur. His pride and joy were always his daughters.
Rest in peace Gérard. With the help of your beloved dog Kir, your grandfather Antoine will find you.
Many thanks to the staff in ICU at the Jubilee, with special thanks to Alison and the care she gave Gérard during his final hours.
A Funeral Service to honour Gérard, will be in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 2:00pm, with The Rev. Fr. John Domotor, officiating. Burial will follow next door at the Royal Oak Burial Park, after which friends are invited to return to the Sequoia Centre for refreshments.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
21 Responses
Gérard,
in memory of all the good times spent in Paris with my cousin in our youth. Claude and Jeannine will not forget you.
friendly thoughts For you Lesley.
Although Gerard never coached me, in my running career, he could always be counted on to be an enthusiastic supporter of all Track & Field athletes. His presence during practices at UVIC was a given – working hard with his athletes as we worked hard in our running training. He was the most kind and genuinely joyous person, who had a warm heart and time for everyone. Gerard was such an amazing person, athlete and coach and it was a privilege to get to know him through athletics.
Condolences to the family.❤️
LESLEY
MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU….GERARD WAS SUCH A SPECIAL GUY. HE BROUGHT SO MUCH FUN TO THE WORK PLACE, AS WELL AS ALWAYS BEING A RELIABLE WORKMATE.
MY NEPHEW WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE COACHED IN POLE VAULTING, BY GERARD, AND ACTUALLY WON A SCHOLARSHIP TO A TORONTO UNIVERSITY.
GERARD WILL BE MISSED BY MANY.
SINCERELY, TRUDIE
Words cannot express how much I will miss him and how great was the privilege of knowing Gerard. I knew him from the earliest days of my Nursing training in St. Joe’s. About 55 years. His energy and sense of humour were over-the-top. I,too, got to experience the legendary Mt Arrowsmith climb. Sort of a rite of passage. He always had time for everyone. When my son Paul was very small, Gerard and Lesley took him to the gym at UVIC when Gerard was doing his coaching. Paul loved it! The dinners and wine drinking evenings will be remembered, mostly. Many of the Gerard stories can only be told face to face in select company.
I am sorry to miss his final send-off, but will be thinking of you all.
Marie and Glen Wilson
Marie and Glen Wilson
Grandpa you are one of the best! I love you so much
Thank you for Everything!
Shane
Gérard shared his passion for mountain climbing with me at a young age on those famous Arrowsmith climbs. Those trips left a lasting and indelible love for the outdoors in which I have passed this passion on to my family. I will always miss that mischievous grin and kind encouragement. My condolences to his family. He was a wonderful person who will always have a special place in my heart.
I have so many good memories of Gerard from times at the old St Joe’s and “the new Vic General
Lesley
You have our deepest sympathy.
Gérard will always hold a special place in our hearts.
David and I will miss him.
Our memories of Gerard will be treasured and shared with all of our family.
Lots of love and hugs xx
Wendy, David and family
Hi Lesley. Sooo sad to hear about Gerard. In his active life, he was our own legend in the Operating Room at the VGH. He got along with everyone. Thinking of you Lesley.
Hugs. Yvette
It was an honour to know Gérard. He never failed to make me laugh and I have many fond memories from pole-vaulting with him. I learned so much from him. Thank you Gérard.