Gerald Tobin

After 73 years of love and laughter, hard work and joy, Gerry Tobin received an offer he couldn't refuse - to be our angel from above, to be in Colorado and Canada at the same time, and to reunite with family and friends long since passed.

He left detailed instructions for Lois, his wife of 48 years and their daughters Shannon (Ed Hagerman), Kim (Len Johnston) and grandchildren (Devon and Aidan Johnston, Ridley and Emmery Hagerman) and his extended Thunder Bay family including brothers-in-law John (Eva) Jones and Tom (Shirley) Jones to celebrate a life well lived. We are so very fortunate to have known him, lucky to have learned from him and overcome by our love for him.

For nearly fifty years, Gerry was a resident of the Lakehead. He found his way to Thunder Bay while completing his teaching degree at the University of Toronto. Here, Gerry met and fell in love with two things… Lois and her butter tarts. Not long after graduating, they married and moved to the Northwest Territories to begin their careers as teachers. It was in Yellowknife in April 1970 that they became parents with the arrival of their daughter, Shannon. A couple of years later, they moved to Thunder Bay, where they would welcome their second daughter, Kimberly, in the fall of 1973.

Having grown up in Sarnia, Ontario along the shores of Lake Huron with his siblings, Ann (predeceased), John (Linda), Peter, Jane and David, Gerry had a great love of the water and the outdoors. He shared this love with his family, and together, they enjoyed the last 10 summers at Amethyst Harbour where he taught his grandchildren how to make the best bonfires, how to drive a boat, how to bang nails and build houses and how to "do things right."

Gerry was an entrepreneur at heart. His strong work ethic and drive allowed him to pursue a variety of career paths spanning more than six decades. With his love of ice cream, it seemed only natural that his first business endeavor would be the Sundae Shoppe. Here, Gerry was able to pursue a business opportunity while working closely with many young people from the city - a perfect combination for a man who loved to teach and became an inspiration to many. 

It wasn't long before Gerry realized that operating restaurant in a single location had proven to be so enjoyable that he chose to purse a new opportunity. With the launch of Shebandowan Enterprises, Gerry entered into the world of industrial catering. By setting up onsite workplace "camps" in some of the country's most remote and isolated locations, Gerry became a true jack-of-all-trades. The long days of hard, physical work fed his love for a challenge - he thrived and prospered. 

His career was bookended with teaching when he took on assignments at the McKittrick and Kelso Centers where he found a special place in his heart for some of the city's most troubled youth. As he had done with so many, he gave them a hand, lent an ear and helped them find their way.

During these busy times, Gerry always took time to be with his family and friends. He loved to travel and enjoyed delicious meals. He was an avid skier and taught both of his girls how to handle the hill, no matter what the terrain or temperature. He played, coached and watched his fair share of football and was pretty darn good on a pair of skates. Whether it was golfing with a group of friends or instigating elaborate practical jokes, Gerry enjoyed countless hours of banter and fun. And, there was hardly a tool he didn't have or a thing he couldn't fix. 

Gerry had a kind, generous heart and maintained deep spiritual strength throughout his life. We will forever think of his sparkling eyes, his quick wit, his caring ways and his abounding love for his wife, family and friends.

A funeral mass to celebrate a great man who meant so much to so many will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. 

In honour of his amazing heart and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Northern Cardiac Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, 980 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6V4. Arrangements entrusted to the Sargent & Son Funeral Home, 21 N. Court Street. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.