Gerald James Mortimer
February 15, 1924 ~ July 30, 2014
It is with much sadness that the Mortimer/Chivers families announce the death of Gerald James Mortimer.
Born in Sunnybrook, Alberta on February 15, 1924, Gerry was 90 years of age when he passed away peacefully at Kipnes Veteran’s Centre in Edmonton, Alberta on July 30, 2014.
In 1941 at age 17 Gerry enlisted in the army as gunner with the Royal Horse Artillery. Unfortunately he suffered severe hearing loss during training which afflicted him the rest of his life. As a consequence of his hearing loss he was honourably discharged in 1942.
Gerry’s life took him across Alberta including Sunnybrook, Blairmore, Bellview, High River, and British Columbia including Creston, Newgate, Grasmere, Cranbrook, Revelstoke. Everywhere Gerry lived, he made steadfast friends. He was a large and gentle man with a kind and caring heart. He worked at many occupations including farming, logging, as a sawyer and a sawmill operator before moving to Edmonton, Alberta where he and his wife Enid served as resident managers for a number of apartment buildings before retiring.
Gerry was predeceased by his parents Joe and Effie; his beloved wife Enid Ethel Mortimer; their daughter Janice Enid Shelly Eyre; Gerry’s son Leslie Mortimer; stepsons Leslie, Ronnie and David; and his siblings, brother Ron and sisters Joyce, Shirley and Evelyn.
Gerry is survived by his sisters Gen, Iris and Lola; brother Mel; many nieces and nehews; stepsons Rod and Barrie; grandchildren Devon and Jesse Eyre, Todd, Randy, David, Glenn, Ardyth, Anita, Jamie, Darren, Daniel and Tamara Chivers and Leanne Smith; and great-grandchildren Amber, Cassidy and Mason who he was delighted to welcome to the family in March 2014.
There will be a gathering of friends and family for Gerry’s Inurnment on Sunday, August 31, 2014 commencing at 12:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Cemetery in Fernie, BC.
Those who wish to make a memorial donation in honour of Gerry may do so to a charity of their choice or to the Canadian War Amps. See more at their website: www.waramps.ca