GERARD HENRI (GERRY) RODRIGUE

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GERARD HENRI (GERRY) RODRIGUE

October 5, 1949 - July 8, 2025

Surrounded by the love of his family, Gerard (Gerry) Rodrigue, passed gently from this life to the next on July 8, 2025 at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre where he had resided for 18 months.

Gerry was the solid rock of our family and will be forever loved and missed by his wife of 53 years, Maureen (Law), and his children, son Christophe Rodrigue (Laura Thompson), daughter Jennifer Rodrigue (Michael Buhler), and six cherished grandchildren: Connor, Aidan, Fiona, Nicolas, Mikayla and Tobias. Also grieving the loss of their brother are his sister Josette Duprat, and brother Bernard Rodrigue (Louise). Gerry was also well loved and will be sorely missed by his second family, mother-in-law RoseMary Law, sisters-in-law Barbara Champagne (Roland), Kathleen Tait (David), and brothers in-law Rick Law (Tracy) and Robert Zacharias. Gerry also had close relationships with his nieces and nephews and many dear friends who will grieve his passing. Gerry was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Leona (Arpin) Rodrigue, his sister Simone Konowalchuk, sister-in-law Linda Zacharias and his loyal little buddy, Edgar (the dog).

Gerry was born on October 5, 1949 at St. Boniface Hospital, and along with his twin brother Bernie, was the youngest of the four children of Joseph and Leona Rodrigue. He lived his entire youth on Raymond Place in Norwood and attended École Precieux Sang and St. Paul’s High School before graduating from St. Boniface Diocesan High School. He entered the CA program directly from high school and went on to qualify as a Chartered Accountant in 1972 and was elected as a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants in 2001. He joined the newly formed accounting firm Warms, Rogers, Wright (WRW) in 1973, and became a partner in 1977. In 1990 WRW merged with Coopers & Lybrand and in 1998 after another merger, PricewaterhouseCoopers was formed. Gerry continued to serve as a partner, working primarily with small and family businesses, not-for-profit organizations and as a trusted business advisor until his retirement in 2008. He loved his profession and valued the close relationships he developed with many of his clients, staff and partners. Over the years he also volunteered his time and energy to work with numerous charitable, civic and professional organizations, and in 1992 was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada.

He met Maureen Law at St. Boniface Diocesan High when he was in Grade 12. They didn’t date while at school but two years later reconnected through a chance meeting at The Red Top. Both of them were smitten and so the grand romance began. They married on December 28, (no he claimed, not for the tax credit!) 1971 and in 1973 and 1976 respectively were blessed with their two children Christophe and Jennifer. Gerry believed in working hard, playing hard and always being there for his family. Despite a busy career he almost always made it home for dinner, coached hockey, soccer and softball, and attended all the kids’ games and concerts even when that meant he would be up until midnight working on client files that he’d brought home from the office. His sense of caring and responsibility extended to the entire Rodrigue and Law families too. Some in the Law clan jokingly referred to him as “the godfather” because if you were having difficulty with something financial or legal, you could go to Gerry with it and he would usually find a solution to the problem. After retirement, you could usually find Gerry at his grandkid’s sports games, sneaking them treats or challenging them to an arm wrestle. He was incredibly proud of each one of them.

Gerry had a zest for life; he and Maureen had the opportunity to travel to many corners of the world and to spend extended time in the Okanagan where they made many good friends. He was a great dancer, and the basement dance floor saw many good parties and polkas. Gerry loved learning about and collecting fine wines, and along with Maureen, planning and creating fantastic multi-course meals to enjoy with family and friends. A perfect occasion to him was a combination of all those elements and always lots of laughter. Gerry had the best laugh ever!

Even through his journey with dementia, Gerry still loved a good joke, teasing his family, friends and caregivers, and of course, a good sweet treat. His family is incredibly grateful for the long-term supportive care from Dr. Kevin Coates, compassionate support from his Home Care attendant Joshua Okoye who brought joy and connection to every visit, his loving physiotherapist Amanda Reimer who helped him maintain his independence, and all of the wonderful staff at the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre.

A funeral mass celebrating Gerry’s life will be held at St. Boniface Cathedral, 180 De La Cathedrale Avenue, Winnipeg, on Thursday, August 7 at 3:00 p.m. Reception to follow at The Norwood Hotel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation: Gerard and Maureen Rodrigue Fund, the Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre or a charity of your choice.

E.J. Coutu & Co. Funeral Directors

204-253-5086

ejcoutu.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2025