Gerald Anthony Joseph Daniels

With deep sadness, we share that Gerald Anthony Joseph Daniels passed away peacefully in his 81st year on September 3, 2021 at Lakeridge Ajax Pickering hospital, after several months of declining health and mobility.

Gerry was born June 3, 1941 in Liverpool England. He was predeceased by father Raymond William, mother Anne (nee McGhee), and sister Anne. Left to mourn are his loving wife of nearly 60 years Bernice (nee Manweiler), sons David (Lesley), Micheal (David) and Ronald (Angelica), grandsons Benjamin and Joseph, brother William (Chris), sister Maureen, and many loving nephews and nieces, inlaws and their families.

Gerry had a long, active life full of love, adventure, hard work and laughter. After moving with his family from England as a boy, Gerry grew up in Parkdale in Toronto where he met the love of his life, Bernice. Together they raised three rambunctious boys, and Gerry was proud to see all three graduate university. Gerry was also especially proud of his grandson Joey and followed Joey’s athletic and other accomplishments very closely.

Gerry worked hard to support and provide for his family, working long hours at a number of jobs (most notably as a truck driver, and later as a real estate agent) before his retirement, and raising the family through multiple changes of residence and location (Toronto, Calgary, Malton, Barrie, Hamilton, Burlington, Mississauga) before he and Bernice settled in Ajax, Ontario.

Gerry was strong and athletic, and was an outstanding hockey player in his youth. Later, he took to coaching hockey and was proud of his coaching credentials and accomplishments. He taught his sons the game and instilled in each a life-long love of hockey and of sport in general. He also enjoyed golfing and in his prime spent many happy hours on the course with Bernice, his kids, and with friends. He was a self-reliant man who took a do-it-yourself approach to anything he could, whether building a fence for the house, implanting an inground pool, fixing or painting a car, or finishing a basement. He was fun-loving and had a great sense of humour, bringing a smile to friends and family around him whether playing cards or board games, engaging in a sport or activity together, or just sitting around spending time together.

He prized honesty and instilled this and the courage to speak up for oneself in his sons and in others.

He was a kind man who touched the lives of everyone he met, and he will be very sorely missed.

In keeping with Gerry’s wishes, there will be no funeral service.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gerry’s honour, whether financial or of donatable items, to Diabetes Canada .