December 31, 1940 – September 3, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
Gerry Sharples passed away on Sept. 3, 2023, at the age of 82. He was born on Dec. 31, 1940, to Rose and John Sharples and was the younger brother to Cliff (Irene). A
fter several moves, the family arrived in Terrace in 1956 where Gerry settled into Grade 10 at Skeena High School. He attended UBC where he met Carole; they got married in 1967 and moved to Terrace. Their first child, Christine, was born, followed by Patty (Jamie) and Robin (Pat).
In 1969, he and Cliff started Sharples Equipment. In 1988, Gerry obtained his M.Ed., and returned to teaching at Caledonia Sr. Secondary. He taught many subjects and developed the district’s Forestry 11 and 12 curriculum.
After Caledonia, he worked at Community Futures using his connections to find youth employment. Gerry enjoyed many things including sports, antique cars, woodworking and gardening. He enjoyed living in Terrace and was often seen shopping for paint and other hardware supplies.
He never missed his kids’ softball, soccer and basketball games and spent many hours helping at swim meets.
In his retirement, Gerry started his day walking his dog Bailey and then would head to the lake house (‘the Cabin’) at Lakelse Lake for a full day of tinkering, followed by watching his beloved Toronto Blue Jays.
Four grandchildren (Josh, Aedan, Brooke and Kate) arrived, and many wonderful, warm summer days were spent at the Cabin with them boating, woodworking and driving his 1929 Ford Model A (‘Old Rattler’).
He will be remembered for his quick smile, kind words and funny dance moves. We know he is enjoying watching Carole and Bailey walk the local trails, his girls at the Cabin and he now has the best seat in the stadium for every Blue Jays game. He is surely talking about logging with Cliff while tending to a wonderful garden.
As a proud grandparent, he will be the co-pilot on every helicopter flight with Pilot Josh. He will be soaring with Aedan on his bike and skis. He will be a cheerleader for the hockey goals and basketball buckets made by Brooke and will be with Kate for every spike or block on the volleyball court.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Mills Memorial Hospital who were all so kind with Gerry and his family. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the REM Lee Hospital Foundation (remleehospitalfoundation.org).
In Summer 2024, there will be a gathering for friends and family on a summer evening at the Cabin on Lakelse Lake.
Obituary-