Obituary of Gerald (Gerry) Wise

WISE, Gerald (Gerry) - After a rapid decline in heath over the past few weeks, Gerald (Gerry) Wise died in the evening of Friday January 6th, 2017 at Bluewater Health Centre in Sarnia. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret (1988) and his son Michael (2014). He will always be remembered by his daughter Linda, son-in-law Scott and step daughter Lisa. Born February 28, 1930 in the small village of Bramshaw in the New Forest region of south England Gerry was one of four children. He lost his mother and an infant sister at an early age. Gerry enjoyed telling stories of the adventures and occasional misadventures of his youth. It is perhaps due to all of these adventures that his dad thought it best Gerry attend boarding school. After boarding school and a brief stint working for Cadbury Chocolates, he volunteered for service with the Royal Air Force. This continued the adventures and also a life long passion for travel. While in the RAF, Gerry travelled extensively within the UK and eventually to Japan where he spent eight months assisting with the removal of British equipment at the conclusion of World War II. It was in the airforce that he met his wife Margaret (nee Conn). Once the couple left the service, they resided in Oxford where Gerry worked as a river boat guide on the River Thames. A group of Canadian tourists who were guests on the boat one day provided Gerry with contact information of someone should he ever decide to leave England. In 1957 Gerry and his wife did just that and immigrated to Canada. Landing in Montreal, they made their way to Toronto where they stayed for a short time eventually travelling to London, Ontario which is where the person he had been told about on the river boat lived. Gerry began working for the contact at the Dominion Automobile Association within the first few weeks. London was their home for many years and it is where both of their children were born. Travel was always a passion of Gerry's and he was able to fulfill that by having a career in the travel industry. As an agent, tour operator and owner he travelled the world extensively. Frequently taking his wife and occasionally his daughter. Even after retiring Gerry continued to enjoy travelling, returning to a couple of his favourite places a few times. Never content to sit still he was known to get into his vehicle and drive for hours just to see what was there. In his later years after he had given up is driver's license, he could be seen driving his electric scooter around town. The final weeks of my dad's life were not comfortable for him. With his independence gone and his ability to move restricted we are relieved that he did not suffer for too long. As per his wishes there will be no service. If desired a donation in his memory to the charity of your choice or the Mocha Temple Shrine Club of London of which he was a long time member would be appreciated. Online condolences may be sent to www.woodlandcemeterydirect cremationcompany.ca1