GERALD RALPH KRAWITZ

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GERALD RALPH KRAWITZ Born in Winnipeg on May 26, 1925, Gerald Krawitz died in Victoria, BC on May 18, 2012, just shy of his 87th birthday. His immediate family of seven is now six: wife Estelle, sons Martin and David, daughter Sherry, sons Laurence and Barry. He was a kind and proud Zeyda to Robert and Lauren (Martin), Charlie and Molly (David and Chris), and Jamie (Barry). He was a cousin, brother-in-law and Uncle Gerald to numerous Galperns and Riddells. All knew him as a warm and engaging man who made sure everyone in his home was welcome. He lost his father at the age of two and was raised by his mother Mollie and grandfather Louis Galpern (Zadela) in a vibrant Boyd Avenue household. He attended St. John's Tech where he was a keen member of the photography club. In February of 1953, he married Estelle in Atlantic City, then lived in Winnipeg. He worked at the family business, The L. Galpern Candy Co., and also on weekends at the Town n' Country. He worked with Auby again at the Town Pump on Main Street, then rounded out his work life as a real estate agent and manager with Melton's and A.E. LePage. He met a lot of people in those years, and he navigated with good manners, generosity, a sense of decency, and a readiness to engage. Gerald spent many fine summers at the family cottage in Winnipeg Beach. As a relative latecomer to camping, he took to it avidly, first in tents with the family on trips to the Rockies, then in a trailer, which led to his later years in the Fort Victoria RV Park. His final two years were spent at Beacon Hill Villa with Estelle, where the gentle staff responded to his dignity and graciousness which he maintained throughout a time of increasing physical weakness, fading eyesight, and a slackened grip on recent events, once so essential a part of his discourse. The funeral was at the Sands Funeral Chapel in Victoria, officiated by Lynn Greenhough. Gerald always said that his four sons would one day carry him at his funeral, which they did, along with their sister. He was cremated according to his wishes and will be interred at a later date. Gerald was a hard worker who provided well for his family. He and Estelle were married almost 60 years. His love for his family was constant and unconditional. Donations, if you wish, to a charity of your choosing, with gratitude.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 05, 2012