GERALD NIXON

Gerald was born Dec. 20, 1939 in Worthington Township.
Gerald passed away, at the age of 74, on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ont. with family by his side.
Gerald moved to Fort Frances with his parents and three brothers as a young boy. He also was known by the name of “Jingles,” given to him by his oldest brother, Leonard, which remained with him throughout the years and used regularly by his friends, Jack Langtry, Bill Badiuk, Paul Johnson, Nick Eluik, the late Ralph Johnson, and many of his co-workers.
Gerald’s favourite passions were the fall season, watching hockey, playing hockey as a young boy, as well as fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling.
His absolute favourite place to be was at the cabin on Deer Island of Red Gut Bay (Rainy Lake), where he enjoyed feeding birds, squirrels, and doing some fishing.
Gerald owned and operated Jerry’s Marine Centre for a number of years, and finished his working career in the maintenance stores department with Boise Cascade Canada Ltd.
As an automotive and small engine mechanic, he also worked at West End Motors, Midway Marine, and Lakeland Marina.
Gerald liked to share his knowledge of small engines and so he did some teaching of it at a small engine night school course for a period of time at Fort Frances High School.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Shirley (nee Strand), of over 53 years of marriage, along with their children, Wayne of Devlin, Ont., Gary (Diana) of Fort Frances, Ont., Wendell of Edmonton, Alta., and Wendy of Toronto, Ont.; granddaughters, Rylee, Angel, and Holly; and step-granddaughter, Trisha (partner Marlen) and their daughter, Maddie, of Edmonton, Alta., all of whom he loved dearly.
Gerald also is survived by his sister-in-law, Linnea Nixon and her children, Debbie and Bradley; late brother Clifford’s children, Michael (Michelle) and family and Kim and family, all of Thunder Bay, Ont.; brother-in-law, John Strand Jr. (Tracy) of Florence, Ariz. and his children, Nicole and Tracey and their families; and sister-in-law, Ann Strand of International Falls, Mn. and her children, Robert, James, Paul, and Cheryl and their families.
Gerald also is survived by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Sr. in 1979 and Florence (nee Huntley) in 1996; brothers, Robert Jr. in 1969, Leonard in 2002, and Clifford in 2009; brothers-in-law, Robert Strand in 2012 and Arthur Strand in 2000; mother-in-law, Gertrude Strand in 2008; and father-in-law, John Strand Sr. in 1966.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Rev. Frances Flook officiating.
If friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Knox United Church Renewal Fund, 340 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1E1.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com