Obituary of Gerald Henry Lovejoy

Gerald Henry (Gerry) Lovejoy of Calgary, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 18, 2008 at the age of 81 years. Gerry was born in Bromley, Kent, England, and was the only child of Susan and Henry Lovejoy. During his early years, Gerry’s parents managed and lived at the Sunningdale Golf Course, where Gerry was able to explore at his heart’s desire in the surrounding countryside. This love of the outdoors played a key role throughout his life. After graduating from finishing school, Gerry went to work with his father, running H. G. Lovejoy and Son Grocers, but decided that the retail trade was not for him, and so he joined the Coldstream Guards in 1945. As the war was now coming to an end, Gerry did not get to serve his country on the front lines, but he was proud to have served on the Queen’s Own Guard at Windsor Castle after the war ended. Gerry met and married his first wife, Josephine Wilby, and they had their first two children, Angela and Paul, in England before moving “across the pond” to their new adventure in Canada. Gerry joined the Canadian Military at Val Cartier, QB, and went on to serve a full twenty-five years with the Canadian Armed Forces, including a posting in Soest, Germany with his growing family, which now included Ellen and Timothy, and two tours of Cyprus and one tour of Egypt – both as part of the UN Peacekeeping Division. After leaving Germany, Gerry was stationed in Petawawa, ON, and the family welcomed their youngest child, Yvonne, before taking Gerry’s final posting in Calgary, AB. He was happy to be coming to the “Heart of The West,” and spent many weekends and holidays exploring the Southern Alberta Foothills and Rocky Mountains with his family – even when it was just to walk the dog.” As the children grew and moved away and his first marriage came to a close, Gerry retired from the military and took a custodial job with the Calgary School Board. During this time, he met and married his second wife, Joan Rose Atherton-Brown. Gerry and Joan bought a home in the Glenbrook area of South West Calgary, where, over the next twenty-five years, they happily raised two cats and two dogs. After a sudden illness and short hospitalization in 2004, Gerry was diagnosed with dementia and moved into long term care, residing at the Carewest George Boyack Centre, Eau Claire Retirement Residence, and Intercare Millrise Senior Retirement Residence. Gerry is survived by his first wife, Josephine (Leo) Martin of Camrose, AB; his son Tim (Deb) Lovejoy of Calgary, AB; his daughters, Angie Bohonus of Calgary, AB, Ellen (Jim) Francis of Brighton, ON, Yvonne (Mark) Richards of High River, AB; his grandchildren, Gordon Bohonus of Camrose, AB, Amber Bohonus of Victoria, BC, Natalie (Chris) Manley of Calling Place, ON, Cherise and Tyler Lovejoy of Calgary, AB; and his great grandchildren, Brandon, Colin, Garrett, Kaitlyn, Alana, and Star, all of Calling Place, ON. Gerry was predeceased by his second wife, Joan Lovejoy; his eldest son, Paul (Janice) Lovejoy, his son-in-law, Al (Angie) Bohonus, and grandson Dylan (Tim and Deb) Lovejoy. At Gerry’s request a funeral service will not be held. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Gerry’s honour may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Suite 201, 222 – 58th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3, Telephone: (403) 290-0110, www.alzheimercalgary.com. The family would like to thank the caregivers and extended family at Millrise for all their support through this difficult time. In living memory of Gerald Lovejoy, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.