Gerald BARKER

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BARKER: Gerald Francis Barker. Gerry passed away peacefully on June 2, 2009 at Vancouver General Hospital. Gerry was born August 15, 1938 in The Pas, Manitoba. He is survived by his wife Violet, sister Joan, brother Ed (Helen), twin brother Bob (Betty-Jo), his children Theresa (Bruce), Valerie, Christine (Darren), Philip (Lisa), Robert (Teresa), Leanne (Darren) and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Gerry graduated from St. Thomas College in North Battleford, SK, during which time he was a regimental Sergeant Major in the St. Thomas Army Cadets Corps and later a staff sergeant in the Prince Albert and Battleford Volunteers. He moved to Winnipeg in the late fifties and eventually settled into a sales career in the tire industry. Gerry's work with Michelin Tire played an important role in the early development of the town of Thompson, MB. He was a member of the English Springer Spaniel Club of Manitoba and raised a National Champion Field Trial and Show dog before starting Whisperpine Kennels. He loved hunting with his dogs! In 1973 Gerry and his family moved to Brandon, MB to continue working in the tire industry while raising Springer Spaniels "on the farm". In 1994, Gerry and Vi moved to Vancouver to work as building managers at a complex on the shores of English Bay. Gerry was a tireless volunteer and fulfilled a lifelong dream when he was asked to take part in an imitation battle during the Tallships Festival in 2005. Gerry will forever be a source of light, love and strength for his family and many friends.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jun 06, 2009