Obituary of Henry Carl Gerwing

Henry Carl Gerwing (Chuck/Charlie), beloved best friend and husband to his wife Rita of almost fifty years, passed away suddenly, but peacefully, on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the age of 80 years, after a hard fought battle with a lung illness. Peace forever our dear one… Carl was the thirteenth of sixteen children. Raised on farms in Saskatchewan and Nebraska, he excelled in the arts of compassion and gardening. He was an avid gardener, earning a multitude of awards from the Calgary Horticultural Association with features of his yard published in magazines and other media. Carl was very involved in the Calgary Opera Association, acting as a Board Member for over twenty years as well as being a past President. He had a beautiful tenor voice that was finally captured for eternity when he agreed to record his favourite songs, just after his eightieth birthday. The law was also a passion of Carl’s. He obtained his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1954 and practiced law independently for over fifty years, gaining the loyalty and trust of many clients. Carl was very devout and active in his parish and was a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He will be very dearly missed, and never forgotten, by his devoted family as well as the many numerous relatives, friends and acquaintances that he encountered in his life. Besides his loving wife Rita, Carl also leaves behind his children, Miriam (Stuart) and their children Kelsey (Jeremy) her girls Rikki and Sabryna, Jessica (Braeden), Kristopher and Kaelan; Carolyn, and her children Leah and Tiana; Anita (Joe) his sons Aaron, Kieran, Christopher and a child on the way; and Number One and only son, Steven. We are devastated by our loss but will always feel your big, strong and loving presence. Carl is also survived by his sisters Laura, Rosemary (Bert) and Pauline (Maurice); brothers Clem (Hedy), Felix (Eleanor) and Freddy (Marie); sister-in-law Julie; Aunt Louise; and brother-in-law Larry (Eileen) as well as many nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents John and Amelia Gerwing; brothers John, Hugo, Frederick, Ewalt, Gerhardt, Alphonse and Johnny, and sisters Sophie and Esther. We send a deeply heartfelt thank you to all the doctors, nurses and caregivers in Unit 73, Intensive Care Unit, Palliative Care and to Father Dowling at the Rockyview General Hospital for the excellent, compassionate and dignified care Carl received throughout his illness. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1414 Shawnessy Boulevard S.W.) on Monday, May 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Carl’s honour may be made directly to the Alphonse Gerwing Charitable Foundation, 14 Harvard Crescent, Saskatoon, SK S7H 3R1. In living memory of Carl Gerwing, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: (403) 256-9575.