Gerdes, Gerhard “Gerry” (Age 88, Goderich)
Published on 5/12/2020
Peacefully on December 3rd in 2020, at Alexandra Marine and General hospital in Goderich, Gerhart Gerdes passed away in his 89th year. Gerhard (Gerry) will be incredibly missed by his long loved and cherished wife Maria (Sulh) Gerdes. They married in Germany in 1958, giving them a wonderful 62 years of marriage. Together they raised their 4 children, Marianne McIsaac, Bernie (Louise) Gerdes, Fred (Annette) Gerdes, and Joe (Heather) Gerdes. Loving opa to grandchildren Christina (Jared) Machan, Kyle Gerdes, Branden Morden, Samantha Maxwell, Heather (Chris) Martin, Brittany (Mike) Morden, Dan (Melissa) McIsaac, Jason (Kimberly) McIsaac, Shawna (Brad) VanOsch, Kendra Horton, and Michael Gerdes. As well as a loved Opa to
13 beautiful great grandchildren. Gerhard was also very cherished by his siblings, the late Elizabeth, Henry, Annie, the late Hermann, Gretta, and Maria Bernie, the late Joe, and the late Angie.
Gerry was born to Herman and Angela Gerdes in the small, rural, german town of Lorup. Gerry in his earlier years, was known as the town Shephard, watching over the sheep. After first immigrating to Canada in 1955, Gerry returned home to marry his beloved Maria, and together they came back around 1958. From one small town to the next, Maria and Gerry made the leap across the pond to work with farmers in the Elmira area, then farmed in Princeton, and once their family was complete later on moving to purchase their first home together in Goderich ontario. Fulfilling a dream of having a farm of his very own, Gerry had a pig farm and worked up until he was 72. Gerry was a very colourful man possessing many hidden talents. You would often find him playing the accordion, the organ, was a singer, and very musically inclined. In his last years, Mary and Gerry resided at Goderich Place Retirement Resident and had a restful 3 years together. Gerry lived a long and full life of 89 years on this earth, but even so, he will still be greatly missed. Thank you for taking the time to read Gerry’s story. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you kindly make donations to either the Heart and Stroke Foundation, or the Canadian Cancer Society. Friends may sign the book of condolences at www.mccallumpalla.ca
