|
NELSON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1954 |
| Home | Class List | In Memory | Photos | Teachers | Memory Lane | |||
| REFLECTIONS eBook, 85 Years to COVID-19 Pandemic | ||||||||
|
Gerald STALEY
As of July 14, 2009 here is our latest news:
Dr. Gerald James Staley18 JUNE, 1933 – 15 JANUARY, 2022
STALEY – Gerald James (Gerry), born June 18, 1933, Fort St. John, B.C.
Gerry went to be with his Lord on January 15, 2022. After 87 years of mostly good health, Gerry's health declined over the last year and, although fully vaccinated, he was ultimately taken by COVID-19. Gerry is survived by Betty (Coe), his wife of 64 years, his son, Robert (Pamela), and daughter, Elizabeth (Mario), grandsons Timothy (Jennifer), Kirk, Stephen and Mitchell, and granddaughters Rebecca and Maia, and great-grandsons, Ashton and Colton. Gerry was predeceased by his sister, Evelyn, and survived by his brothers Norman, David (Lorna) and George (Shirley). He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Donna, Darlene, David, Lorne, Richard, Barbara, Pamela, Graeme and Julie. For the positive attitude that he had toward life, and everything that he undertook, Gerry credited his faith and his Christian parents. He often said that he had never met a better Christian than his father. From an early age Gerry was drawn to teaching. But would it be in a school or in a church? He prepared himself for both eventualities, but chose public education as his vocation and lay ministry as his avocation. In 1957, Gerry married Betty Coe. Betty was a 1954 graduate of the VGH School of Nursing. Robert was born in 1960 and Elizabeth in 1962. During the next decade, the family spent a year in Marin County, California, a year in Eugene, Oregon and two years living southwest of London, England, where Gerry taught in English schools under the Commonwealth Teacher Exchange Program. During his world travels, Gerry earned four post-secondary degrees: a BEd from the University of British Columbia, a MRE from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, a MEd from Western Washington University, and a DEd from the University of Oregon. Gerry's teaching career was with the Vancouver School Board. He taught in elementary and secondary schools and served as Principal of Kerrisdale and Selkirk schools. In 1981, he was appointed Associate Superintendent of Human Resources. After seven years, he served in three other positions: Area Superintendent, Interim Superintendent of Schools and Superintendent of District Services. Gerry retired in 1993 to spend time with his grandchildren. Gerry took his family, professional and spiritual commitments seriously. He was devoted to his family and friends and to others, and worked tirelessly at everything that he undertook. Gerry was a "people person" and an encourager. Gerry and Betty derived great satisfaction from the achievements of their son, Robert, a litigation partner at a law firm in Toronto, and their daughter, Elizabeth, the owner and CEO of her own skincare manufacturing company. Gerry was a long-time, enthusiastic volunteer in Elizabeth's business. When Kirk, Mitchell and Maia played on Kerrisdale soccer teams, rain or shine, Gerry and Betty were there to cheer them on. And on Sunday afternoons, for more than 15 years, they spoke with Robert and Pamela, and their Toronto grandchildren, Timothy, Stephen and Rebecca, to keep up to date on events in their lives at work, school and sports. Gerry and three friends from the VSB played handball at the Downtown Y for more than 25 years. He was known for telling “Gerry” jokes: corny, often not very funny (if at all), but G rated. He enjoyed humor and sought to bring laughter and a smile to others wherever he went. Gerry was a member at Trinity Baptist Church, where he served on the Church Board, as Board Chair and on various committees. For 45 years, he taught an adult Bible class on Sunday mornings. After he retired, he served on the Board and then for six years as the Chair of the Board of Administration at Carey Theological College, UBC. When his grandchildren from Toronto visited, they often asked Gerry to tell them stories about his younger years. This led to him write two illustrated books, with (more or less) true stories about his exploits. Creatively, the titles were "The Adventures of Our Grandfather" and "The Further Adventures of Our Grandfather". Thankfully, someone else was hired to do the illustrations. Gerry and Betty were long distance walkers. They visited Britain on more than fifteen occasions to undertake walks in the hills, valleys and coastal regions in England, Scotland and Wales. On these National Pathways of 150km or longer they stayed overnight in B&B’s, guest houses and inns. To share their love of walking, Gerry wrote "Just Walk It!", a how-to book for planning a self-directed walking vacation in Britain. When walking long distances became more challenging, Gerry and Betty started cruising. Their cruises; usually with close friends, included Alaska, Eastern Canada, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, South Pacific and Asia. In their later years, Gerry and Betty took great satisfaction in the career accomplishments of their six grandchildren. Gerry and Betty were blessed to have lived long enough to see the next generation firmly established, and being productive members of society, and to welcome two great-grandchildren.
|
|
This web site made possible by: Sylvia Crooks, Settimo Zanon, Sally MacLean and Joan Howell |