Memories and Celebrations of Life:
Obituary - Gerald Francis Pinkess (Gerry)
August 14, 1936 - October 2, 2020
The family of the late Gerry Pinkess would like express their sincere gratitude for all of the love, support and kind wishes they received during this difficult time. Thank you to all those who called, assisted, supported, sent gifts and attended the service. We now live in challenging times when it comes to sharing in the celebrations of life and the grieving for those we respect and care for, thank you again to those who made things possible, Gerry was lucky to have a lot of good friends.
After a brief illness, Gerry passed peacefully at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital. Gerry was a beloved father, brother, and grandfather, teacher, friend, and community leader. Gerry was born in St. Boniface Manitoba and raised in Hudson, Ont., Son of Bea and Barney and Brother of Ellyn.
Gerry studied at North Bay Teachers College, the University of Toronto and Lakehead U. Residing in Sioux Lookout since 1963, he was employed as a teacher at the Sacred Heart School.
Gerry will be dearly missed by his sister Ellyn, sons Chad and Todd, Grandchildren Brendon and Cayden, as well as his many friends, colleagues, and former pupils.
Gerry was a great lover of cooking, the cinema, Canadian History, operatic and classical music (the penultimate audiophile), crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and so much more. Gerry enjoyed berry picking, cooking, story telling and baking for his friends and loved ones with the sharing of many anecdotes and memories. In the sharing of meals, Gerry was always sure to explain in great detail the ingredients and methods in making his fine foods.
Many who knew him will know that he was quite the gentleman, passionate about and exquisite-in his tastes for the zests of life. Gerry was a unique character and maverick in our small town. He was so very passionate about this part of Canada and was known to be somewhat of a military historian; most knowledgeable about the two world wars (Gerry’s father having been a cavalryman in the Great War).
As a testament to his character we are reminded, by the wide cross-section of society who have shared well-wishes and sympathies, as to the impact Gerry had on many generations of Sioux Lookouters as we hear lamented that “Mr. Pinkess was my favourite teacher”.
Gerry enjoyed an adventurous retirement that was befitting of his character. He is known to have said that if he couldn't teach and discipline kids the way he wanted to, then he couldn't work any further in the confines of bureaucracy. A life well lived by a man who loved life, Gerry Pinkess made Hudson and Sioux Lookout a better place to live. We will be left with a void in our lives and of course we shall miss him so.
Although he will be greatly missed, he will always be loved, and through our stories, laughter and happy thoughts he will live on in each of us.
Lovingly and peacfully.
Ellyn, Chad, Todd, Michelle, Brendon & Cayden
