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GERALD ALAN EPP Obituary pic

GERALD ALAN EPP

Born: Jul 25, 1948

Date of Passing: Jan 31, 2018

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GERALD ALAN EPP July 25, 1948 - January 31, 2018 On the morning of Wednesday, January 31, 2018, Gerry passed away in his sleep, with his wife Linda by his side. A great dad, a great husband, a great friend and a great Toyota Yaris (Tristan-talk for Grandpa...Nobody knows why.) Gerry was a man of integrity and conviction. In the words of his friend and colleague, "What you see is what you get." There were no airs, no bluster, no pretence. If he didn't understand something, he said so. If he was able to help, he did. Gerry did not tolerate dishonesty or deceit in himself or others. Everything he did was in a quest to make the world a better place. That's what made him such a good Police Officer - his goal was to serve and protect, not catch and punish. To him, that was the consequence of wrongdoing, but his job was to improve the state of the world in order to prevent tragedy and heartache. His role in Community Policing helped him to achieve that goal in a manner more satisfactory to him. That same generosity and sensitivity extended to his personal life. Gerry was the person you called if you needed to be picked up from the airport at 3:00 a.m., or help with a building project or directions to anywhere. (G.P. Epps to the rescue!) He was the one who invited people for drinks and dinner and to stay overnight even if he was tired or not feeling well. Gerry was a man of his word. If he promised to pick you up, or to shop for groceries and prepare meals for parties or to contact people for a party, you could rest assured that it would be done. He was a planner; he made lists and prepared menus and made phone calls and arranged meetings. You might think all of these grandiose qualities would make for a pretty boring person; quite the opposite. He planned the details because he loved the parties! For the past 16 years, with a couple of notable exceptions, life WAS a party. Family, friends, food and fun were what guided Gerry's life. He never forgot a birthday or an anniversary. He baked bread, made soup, seared roasts and barbequed the best steaks -all for family and friends. That was his fun -eating and drinking and laughing and joking were his great joy. Birthday parties, family parties, Christmas dinner with Andrew and Brigitte, Carrie and Kris and Gerry's brother Ernie and his wife Bette, wine and cheese parties, poker parties, barbeques, Canada Day parties - any occasion quickly became a party, complete with interesting noses or aprons or hats. Travelling was part of the fun. Mexico, Hawaii, Tucson, Niagara Falls, Greece, Portugal, Turkey, New Braunfels - he loved them all. But the best trips were with family - to Kelowna with Carrie on one trip; with Lorinda, Tristan and Isabel on another and with Lisa, Stephen, Sydney and Allison on another. To Cuba with the grandchildren, then several trips to Wisconsin Dells, and that fabulous trip to Disneyworld! Gerry chose not to have a memorial service. He planned his final party himself to occur later in the spring when some of his friends get back from their winter holidays. Flowers are gratefully declined. If you so wish, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 03, 2018

Condolences & Memories (12 entries)

  • I have fond memories of our friendship when we lived in Elm Creek. Gerry was a special kind of guy. I can only imagine how much he will be missed. Life well lived with purpose. Rest in peace, buddy. - Posted by: Ken Boese (Buddy in our early years at Elm Creek. ) on: Mar 12, 2018

  • I only knew you as a child...but heard such nice things about you along the way. I and Ron offer your family many condolances and sympathies. Blessings to your family. - Posted by: Ruth (Penner) Moir (cousin) on: Feb 25, 2018

  • First and foremost, condolences to Gerry's Family. I worked with Gerry in Community Policing, when it was brought back to the City by then Police Chief David Cassels, in the "old" District 5, St. Boniface on Langevin. Gerry was always up-beat and brought a smile, (and his jokes), to the office everyday. Always a very personable fellow, it was a true pleasure to work along side him. In the field Gerry maintained his positive outlook, but when push came to shove he called it like it was, and dealt with the issue professionally. After his retirement, I'd often seen Gerry at the local YMCA , and he hadn't changed one bit. So sorry to learn of his passing. Rest in peace brother. - Posted by: Trent Ciurko (Co-worker) on: Feb 08, 2018

  • I worked with Gerry in District 6. Gerry was a guy that everybody liked. He had a great sense of humour and was someone you could trust. It is always hard when I read about losing another brother in blue. My deepest condolence to all of the family. - Posted by: Bill Bell (Friend) on: Feb 08, 2018

  • Gerry, you were without doubt the best brother & bother-in-law anyone could have wished for. You were a great father to Andrew and Carrie and you were so proud of them. Their personalities & successes are a tribute to you & their mother. A life well lived. You faced all your trials & tribulations with determination, courage and kindness, and despite it all, always with a sense of humor. You were an inspiration to us all. We will miss you and love you forever. You are now pain free, but ours has just begun. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Bette Epp (Sister-in-law) on: Feb 07, 2018

  • Gerry you will be missed. Grew up down the road from you in Elm Creek. Gerhard(Jerry)Krocker. - Posted by: Gerhard(Jerry)Krocker (Friend) on: Feb 06, 2018

  • My sympathy to the Epp family on the passing of Gerry. Memories of Gerry from Elm Creek while growing up and attending school. - Posted by: Iris Reilly (Mulvay) (Friend from Elm Creek) on: Feb 04, 2018

  • Met Gerry and his family when they moved into Transcona as a young couple. We watched the chidren, Andrew and Carrie, grow up, shared trips to Grand Beach, Bird's Hill Park; parties and activities swimming, birthdays, school and community events. A great guy who house-sat after we moved to BC. Always a wonderful, caring guy. Deepest sympathy to those who loved him. - Posted by: Wilma and Wilson Parasiuk (Friend and fellow Transconian) on: Feb 03, 2018

  • Gerry, I know you’d be happy to see you got top of the page and above the fold! You already know how we felt about you just not how much we’ll miss you. We shared symptoms, wine and a smoke or 3. We’re still thinking about you and we will for a long, long time. Rest easy kiddo. - Posted by: Rickey and Denise Keep (Friends, neighbours and co-conspirators.) on: Feb 03, 2018

  • So sorry to the family for your loss. Gerry and I went to school together in Elm Creek many years ago. I went and joined the Navy in Oct. of 1964. I saw Gerry a couple of times since when I went out home on vacation. - Posted by: Dale Rasmussen (Friend) on: Feb 03, 2018

  • Gerry will be missed by many in the Elm Creek area. Thinking of you Linda and family. - Posted by: Harry & Barbara Lepp (Friends) on: Feb 03, 2018

  • Gerry was a compassionate human being. Never heard him utter a bad work about anyone. Just a truly fine gentleman. - Posted by: Blake Dunn (Co Worker ) on: Feb 03, 2018

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