Gerald CARLSON

CARLSON, Gerald 2008-03-24 With deep sorrow the family announces the peaceful passing of a beloved husband, son, brother, father and grandfather. He had fought a very courageous battle with cancer for some time. Gerald was born in Elma, Manitoba and moved to Fort William at an early age. He attended local elementary schools and graduated from Fort William Vocational in 1956. While enrolled in the Engineering Technology at Lakehead College, he was also playing football for the Fort William Redskins Intermediate Football team and received a football/hockey scholarship from Michigan Tech in Houghton where he graduated with a Civil Engineering degree. After graduation Gerry was offered a Canadian Football League contract with the Montreal Allouetes but after playing one exhibition game with the team, he realized that his true calling was to be a teacher. In 1961 he began teaching his science courses at Westgate High School and while there became part of a group of coaches that introduced wrestling into high school sports. He even took a team of wrestlers to the Ontario championships in Southern Ontario. In 1967-68, Gerry took a leave from teaching to attend McMaster University in Hamilton to pursue a Physical Education degree. Upon returning he taught Phys Ed for 1 year at Hillcrest high school. It was then that his calling for the Science lab once again surfaced and thus he served as Assistant Head and later Head of the Science Department at Sir Winston Churchill High School from 1969 until his retirement in 1996. As an educator Gerry was involved in the Ontario Secondary School Teachers‘ Federation serving as local President, District President and on several Provincial committees. He was instrumental in having the principles of the Workers‘ Health and Safety program included in the process of collective bargaining. After his retirement Gerry continued his involvement in the education field, serving as a faculty advisor for student teachers at Lakehead University and also in making presentations about the Young Workers Health and Safety Program in high school classes from Kenora to Marathon. An integral part of Gerry‘s contributions in high school came in his dedication as a football coach. He was proud to be part of a coaching staff that made the Churchill Junior Trojans a force with which to be reckoned over a period of years. He often stated that he was most honored when former junior players would join him on the sidelines but this time in the capacity as a member of the coaching staff - a tribute to his care and concern for these young men. Several have gone on to become current football coaches in local high schools. Gerry was moved and honored to have been asked to take part in the Community Bowl Game which marked the official opening to this past year‘s senior football season. Within the community Gerry also served as part of the original coaching staff of the Thunder Bay Giants Junior club. He would later also serve as head coach for the team before they became the Storm. Gerry‘s other main coaching contribution was with hockey in the Elks 82‘s program where he coached both house league and rep teams. He was most proud of the group of Westfort Maroons Bantam team that captured the Midwest Regional Tournament to be the representatives at the prestigious Silver Stick Championship held in Port Huron, Michigan. Throughout his life Gerry was an active member of the sports community in Thunder Bay. He played football with the Fort William Redskins, broomball for several teams, Old Timers Hockey and fastball with Great Lakes Paper. He always enjoyed his golf game especially when he was able to do so year round as he and Pat wintered in Lake Havasu Arizona. In the local golf community Gerry served as marshal for the major District Tournaments and could be seen riding the cart and moving them along at the Annual Strathcona Invitational. His religion was a vital part of Gerry‘s life as he served as a Eucharistic Minister at Corpus Christi Church and as well as a member of the council 9295 Knights of Columbus and the Father Baxter 4th Degree. Gerry, the man, known also to some as "Curly" or "Crusher" or just plain "Sir" was well known, well respected and, yes, according to many former students and players, he was even ‘feared‘. In this last journey in life he met several former students who openly expressed their gratitude to him for his inspiration in influencing their choice to pursue careers in medicine. Often repeated was the phrase "he was tough, but he was fair". Somewhere we know he is organizing a football team, a bridge game or a golf match and, of course, he will be creating new food dishes based on the one staple - peanut butter. Gerald is survived by his wife of 43 years Pat, son Mike of New Port Richey, Florida, daughter Dana (Blair) Hicks and grandchildren Brandon, Cole, Liam and Sophie of Tillsonburg, Ont., Mother Pearl Carlson, sister Diana (Perry) Cooper, brother Ken (Delores) Carlson of Kenora and several nieces and nephews .He was predeceased by his father Dan Carlson, his in laws Reg and Dora Wainwright and daughter- in- law Dawn Carlson. Cremation has taken place and a Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 28, 2008 when family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass at 11:00 am at Corpus Christi R.C. Church, celebrated by Rev. Richard Kowalchuk and concelebrated by Msgr. P.M. Stilla, V.G. A private interment will take place a at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Corpus Christi R.C. Church with a Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Corpus Christi Renovations Fund or the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to the SARGENT & SON FUNERAL HOME, 21 N. Court Street. Gerry always believed that you had a choice of either dying from cancer or living with it. He chose to live to the fullest for the time he had. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com