- The Carillon Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
GERRY HOWARD
Born: Sep 11, 1939
Date of Passing: Dec 01, 2015
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryGERRY HOWARD 1939 - 2015 It is with heavy hearts and great sorrow that we announce the passing of Gerry Howard on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at the St. Boniface Hospital, surrounded by family. Gerry will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years Lois (Johnson), son Cal (Sara Strang), daughter Leanne (Keith Baxter), grandsons Jeffrey and Quentin, sister Lorraine, brother Brian and sister-in-law Faye as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Gerry was born in Neepawa on September 11, 1939 and grew up in the town of Kelwood where sports quickly became a major factor in his life. While working for the bank in Portage he met his wife, Lois, and they began a life together that took them to Regina, Edmonton before settling back in Winnipeg. Gerry retired from a successful career at Sunlife and has been enjoying his retirement fully ever since. Spending winters in Weslaco, Texas and summers working on the "honey-do" list that Lois always had readily available, as well as time with the game he loved - fastball. Gerry is known around the World for his involvement as an Umpire in Softball. He has been inducted into the Manitoba Softball Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Softball Hall of Fame as well as the International Softball Congress Hall of Fame for his efforts over the years. Through softball he had the opportunity to travel the world to places like South Africa, Japan, China and Columbia to name a few. His greatest honor was being the Deputy Umpire in Chief at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. His infectious personality and laugh made it easy for him to have a multitude of friends from every corner of the World. Volunteering in sports was a way of life in the Howard house. Gerry coached hockey, football, baseball and gave hours of time to organizations like figure skating, where he chaired the Manitoba Section of the Canadian Figure Skating Association. He also developed an Official's Development Program for softball and recently was elected President of Magic Valley Park Association in Texas as well as serving on many other committees as time permitted. He was known for living life to its fullest each and every day and making those around him feel welcome and important. Although Gerry has left us, he will always remain prevalent in the lives of those he touched. The family would like to thank the staff and the doctors in the Emergency Ward of the St. Boniface Hospital, especially dear friend, Lydia Harris, who arranged a comfortable setting for all. A celebration of Gerry's life will take place upon Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Softball Manitoba Hall of Fame, Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame or Skate Canada Manitoba Grass Roots Bursary Fund. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 05, 2015
Condolences & Memories (16 entries)
-
Rest well Gerry. You were one of the best, always respected and a friend to all ... Even us pitchers. - Posted by: Audrey, Garry and Sherrie Johnston () on: Dec 12, 2015
-
Gerry was a great umpire and such a nice person. He will be missed by many. - Posted by: Melanie fernandes (Softball player) on: Dec 08, 2015
-
Lois,Leanne and family, Very sorry to hear about Gerry's passing. I first met Gerry when he umpired Dodger games in Portage during the early 60's and our paths continued to cross via fastball games through the mid 70's and right up to late summer this year, when he was, as per usual, the Umpire-in Chief for the MSA Provincial Senior's Slo Pitch tournament. He has left behind a tremendous legacy in Softball, not only in Manitoba, but throughout Canada and at the international level. A worthy member of both the Mb. Softball and Sports Hall of Fame. Ed Gilroy - Posted by: Ed Gilroy (Friend of the family) on: Dec 07, 2015
-
Our Deepest Sympathy to You and Your Family, Lois. So sorry to read of Gerry's passing. Thinking of You and shall always remember the great friendship we had going to school. So enjoyed our paths crossing several years ago & touching base again. Ray & Myrna Downey - Posted by: Ray & Myrna Downey ("0ld" friend) on: Dec 07, 2015
-
My condolences,Lois. I remember our bowling days and other nice get togethers. - Posted by: Iris Daniels former Nash(Keith) (Usher at our wedding) on: Dec 07, 2015
-
Gerry was always a class act....he made our game of softball a better game just by being a part of it...Gerry you are going to be missed. - Posted by: Jill Mathez (softball player) on: Dec 07, 2015
-
Gerry was a mentor to me. I remember all the great times umpiring with him. All the laughs will not be forgotten. More importantly Gerry was a great friend. I will miss him. My deepest condolences to Lois and family. Geno - Posted by: geno hnatuk (friend) on: Dec 07, 2015
-
Lois, Cal and Leanne. It is with great sadness that I hear of Gerry's passing. His compassion, humorous disposition and growely voice will truly be missed. My thoughts an prayers are with you. Graham - Posted by: Graham Eadie (Friend) on: Dec 07, 2015
-
Lois and Family, I am so very sorry to hear about Gerry, I am sorry that we will not be able to see you in person to express our sympathies, pay our respects, and give you a hug. We enjoyed so many fun and great moments with both of you and especially when we stayed at your home, you at ours, or when we were on a vacation together. We both enjoyed our friendship throughout the years I have known you, plus for Doug, even more. Once again Lois I am very sorry and I will call you real soon so I can speak to you personally. He was a great guy, had a great sense of humour, and was a big teddy bear who I had the pleasure to know and to call our friend. Deepest sympathies,thoughts and prayers, and our condolences to you and your family. Your friends Doug and Audrey doug411@sympatico.ca - Posted by: Doug and Audrey Skinner (Friends) on: Dec 06, 2015
-
My sincere condolences go out to Lois, Leanne and Cal. Gerry will be dearly missed by many. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. - Posted by: Brenda Antonyshyn (Friend of the family) on: Dec 06, 2015
-
My condolences to the family. Rest in peace buddy. I used to tell Gerry I wish he would call balls and strikes with his good eye;) - Posted by: randy dutiaume (friend) on: Dec 06, 2015
-
Our condolences to Lois, Cal and Leanne. We were so sorry to hear of Gerry's untimely passing. Our years together while our children were figure skating are special to us. Gerry always enjoyed the social aspect and enjoyed everyone around him. He will be missed by friends and family. - Posted by: Donna & Gord Riddell (Friend) on: Dec 05, 2015
-
Lois and family I am so sorry for your loss. I hadn't realized that both mom.and him.passed on the same day. Love and hugs to you all. - Posted by: Trish stapleton (2nd cousin ) on: Dec 05, 2015
-
Lois and family I am so sorry for your loss. I hadn't realized that both mom and him passed on the same day. Love and hugs to you all. - Posted by: Trish stapleton (2nd cousin ) on: Dec 05, 2015
-
Geŕry was one of the first business people I met when I moved to the city in the late 1990s. He was a gentleman, had an infectious laugh ànd became a good friend and business partner over many years. He loved talking about his family and his own love of sports. I always enjoyed seeing Gerry and playing golf together when we could sneak away for a game. My deepest condolences to Gerry's family. We have lost one of the good guys and he will be truly missed. - Posted by: Paul Jacuzzi (Colleague and friend) on: Dec 05, 2015
-
Always fun to be around, he will be missed. My condolences to Lois, Cal and the Howard family - Posted by: Reid Birss (Friend) on: Dec 05, 2015
