Vincent Gernat

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Vincent Gernat on November 19, 2020, peacefully in his home with family and friends by his side, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Vincent was born to John and Susan Gernat who immigrated to Canada from Czechoslovakia in 1939. He grew up on their family farm in Upsala, ON.

In his later teenage years with his good looks and his love of the guitar, he was known as the Upsala Elvis.

Having a passion for adventure he performed with the Shriners Circus as a trainer from 1964-1967. While working with the circus he performed in front of millions of people in places such as Las Vegas and the Rose Bowl, travelling all over the United States.

In 1973 he started the construction of the Trading Post Motel. Over the years he enjoyed the company of many travellers. Building his empire he went on to add Vince’s Sports Centre and V. Gernat & Son Construction.

As a member of the Operating Engineers Union for over 50 years, he was a Certified Operator on many pieces of equipment. Most proudly a hoisting engineer for a tower crane and mobile crane. He was very proud of his career and enjoyed the company of the many people with whom he worked. He spent time working on the pipeline.

In his later years he went back to the things that touched his heart, like the great outdoors which got him back into his Mining claims, blueberry picking, and Minnow trapping. There was always time to stop and go fishing and later talk about the outdoor adventures he experienced.

He is survived by his three children: Tracy Larocque (Allen) of Ignace, Melissa Gernat (Geoff) of Thunder Bay, Vincent Gernat Jr. of Innisfil, ON; brothers Lawrence Gernat (Olga) and John Gernat; many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Vincent was predeceased by his parents John and Susan Gernat of Upsala; brothers Joseph Gernat, Andrew Gernat and Sister Irene Wirove.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre presided by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla, VG. Due to Covid 19 restrictions, attendance will be by invitation only. Interment will follow in Upsala Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the TBRHSC – Northern Cancer Fund.

Please visit www.harbourviewfuneral.ca to view the services live, or you may watch it at a later time as it will be archived on this same site.

As directed by the Province of Ontario and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, the attendance at the funeral is restricted to 30% capacity or less and a record of attendance must be maintained. Wearing of masks or face coverings by everyone and maintaining social distancing of 6 feet is mandatory for those attending the services.

A sincere thank you to the Oncologists and Nurses at the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Centre and the Northwest LHIN for the palliative care they provided in the home.