GERALD (JERRY) RUSSELL LOUGHEED

It is with great sadness that the family of Gerald Russell Lougheed announces his passing on December 4, 2022, at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with family by his side.

Jerry was born in Emo, Ontario, on June 23, 1945, to Israel and Elma Lougheed. Jerry was born into a large family, and he was the youngest of ten children, with six sisters and three brothers. Being the baby of the family, Jerry was adored and doted on by his older siblings, especially “the sisters,” and though he would never admit it, he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, even in his later years!

Growing up on the family farm he was no stranger to hard work, and throughout his life, Jerry developed a reputation as an incredibly hard worker, never one to shy away from a difficult job.

He spent most of his working life “in the bush,” involved primarily in the logging industry for the majority of it, whether that was at the logging camp up in Crilly in his younger years, cutting wood for the paper mill, or later building the bush roads with his beloved bulldozers. He worked tirelessly to provide a good life for his family, and he was well respected and known throughout the community to be “the best dozer operator in the district,” a title that gave him immense pride.

On July 25, 1970, Jerry married the love of his life, Laura, and together they eventually settled on the Lougheed family farm, raising their two children, Russell and Cara-Lee. This is where they would both live out the rest of their days, relishing the quiet and peaceful country life. Every year they would grow a massive vegetable garden, and would occasionally raise the odd handful of chickens, turkeys, or pigs; an endeavour that was short lived as neither one of them had the stomach to butcher the animals that they would inevitably turn into pets.

Jerry also took great pride in “the farm,” clearing land throughout the years to create more fields and pastures, he turned what was once a small farm into over 600 acres of cleared farm land.

Jerry had a great sense of humour, always quick to laugh, or to make a joke, or a witty comment to make those around him laugh. He took great pleasure in sharing the tales of his youthful shenanigans, and there were many! There was a mischievous twinkle in Jerry’s eyes, and you could always tell when he was about to say or do something that would have the whole room in laughter.

He will be sadly missed by his son Russell; daughter Cara-Lee (Mark) Raasch; and three grandsons, Bronson and Lincoln Bodnar, and Barrett Raasch. He is also survived by his siblings Willard (Dorothy) Lougheed, Irene Lougheed, and Donna Stewart; brothers-in-law Bob Judson, Raymond Stewart, Andy (Dawn) Brigham, Glen Brigham, Bruce (Mary Ellen) Brigham; sisters-in-law Jean Lougheed, Margaret (August) Olson, Nellie Ewen, and Linda Brigham; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Laura; parents Israel and Elma Lougheed; in-laws Milford and Marie Louise Brigham; brothers Orval and Alfred Lougheed; sisters Leone Halverson, Edra Nielson, Alice Judson, and Olive Stewart; brothers-in-law Emil Halverson, Tom Nielson, Nels Stewart, and Fran Brigham; sisters-in-law Pearl Lougheed and Kari Brigham.

As per Jerry’s wishes, there will not be a funeral; instead, he would want you to have a drink, have a laugh, and remember him with a smile, not tears.

In memoriam, donations may be made to a charity of choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.