Obituary of Gerald Edward ESCH

1940 – Saskatoon, SK 2013 – Calgary, AB It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gerald (Jerry) Edward Esch on May 22, 2013 at the age of 73. Jerry was born in 1940 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to parents Percy and Ruth Esch. Jerry was a gifted athlete who loved playing sports throughout his life. While attending Bedford Road Collegiate in Saskatoon, Jerry led his football squad while also playing competitive hockey and baseball. Later as a passionate golfer, Jerry also spent many happy years on the links with his friends and colleagues. Hockey was a sport very close to Jerry’s heart. As a young man, he played Junior A hockey for five years with the Saskatoon Quakers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and at the age of sixteen, was signed to the Chicago Blackhawk family of teams. Jerry played pro-hockey with the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Professional Hockey League and the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Eastern Professional Hockey League. Jerry continued to play hockey into his mid 20’s with the Saskatoon Senior Quakers in the Western Canada Senior Hockey League where he represented Canada on a European tour in 1962. Jerry entered the business world in 1962 when he joined his father Percy in his company Concrete Drainage Pipe. From shoveling gravel to becoming a partner, Jerry and his father spent many years building a successful business. In 1986, they sold their operations to Genstar. Jerry continued to work with Inland Cement, a subsidiary of Genstar, for sixteen years, retiring in 2002, as the Vice- President of Aggregate Operations at Inland for Western Canada. Jerry is survived by his wife Norma-Jean; his children, Cindy (Michael), Keith (Carolina), Rob, Marla and Stephanie (Seth); his eight grandchildren; brother Merv (Erna); and sisters Thelma and Sharon (Len). He was predeceased by his twin sister Joan (Ernie). Jerry was very proud of his family and cherished the many moments they all shared together. As a lifelong animal lover, Jerry also loved spending time with his beloved pets. Jerry will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humour and gifted storytelling. We love him and he will be missed forever. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be directed to Carewest Sarcee Hospice (www.carewest.ca) or Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue Foundation (www.heavencanwait.ca). The family would like to sincerely thank the staff and volunteers at Carewest Sarcee Hospice for their wonderful care and support. In living memory of Gerald Esch, 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.