Gerry Engeland

Gerald (Gerry) Maurice Engeland passed away peacefully on July 15, 2023 in Ottawa, ON. He was born Feb 27, 1938 in Montreal, Quebec. Beloved husband of Doreen (Dody; nee Kane; married 58 years) and father of Carolyn [Murray], Michael [Karen], and Christopher [Jenn]. Pre-deceased by brother Ralph and mother Ilse. He has nine grandchildren (Pamela, James, Justine, Victoria, Kurtis, Brandon, Ashley, Emily, Margaret) and seven great-grandchildren (Olivia, Sydney, Zachary, Kaden, Riley, Violet, Addison).

Gerry grew up in Dorval, QC and later moved to Arvida, QC, where he worked as a science and physics teacher, and then as the vice-principal and principal at Saguenay Valley High and Elementary schools, respectively. In 1974 he moved to the Ottawa area and became an administrator of the Western Quebec School Board in Adult Education in Aylmer, QC. This involved his working across the province of Quebec to establish and promote high school equivalency programs for adults. He retired at age 58.

In the earlier years, he enjoyed theatre, curling, camping, and the outdoors. He was a people person, and loved talking and telling stories. In 1976 he and Doreen bought a plot of land on Lady Lake; they eventually built a cottage there, where they spent most of their spare time for many wonderful years. There was cross-country skiing, sailing, canoeing, fishing, snow-shoeing, and games at the cottage with his children and grandchildren (from cribbage and hearts to badminton and horseshoes). In retirement, he and Doreen enjoyed many winters in Largo, FL where they did a lot of cycling, shuffle-boarding, and other sports, as well as enjoying time with friends. He also enjoyed golfing year-round, and particularly loved when he got to play with his son Chris and his son-in-law Murray.

A Celebration of Life to be announced later. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health – please specify “Geriatrics - Dementia”; many thanks for excellent care by Dr. Stewart, Josee Lavoie, and all nursing and support staff.