Obituary for
Gerald Charles Joseph Chamberland
Gerald (Gerry) Charles Joseph Chamberland
October 6, 1949 - May 5, 2017
It is with broken hearts that his family announces his call to Heaven on Thursday, May 5th, 2017, at the age of 67, following a courageous battle with leukemia. Forty-six years ago Gerry married the love of his life Mary (Melnyk). They proved that the key to happiness was marrying your best friend. Hand in hand they navigated the ups and downs that life delivered and became each other’s source of strength. Together they brought their five daughters into this world, Jennifer, Jodi, Lisa, Amanda and their beautiful angel, Debbie-Lynn. To say Gerry was a proud and devoted father is an understatement, he cherished his daughters and developed an incredible bond that led them to forever be, “Daddy’s girls”. Although Gerry claimed that no one was good enough for his daughters, he came to love their husbands, Jeff, Kevin, Kevin and Mike and would proudly admit they were the sons he never had. Gerry lived for his grandchildren and missed them every day that they were apart. He would move heaven and earth if they asked and it was not uncommon for him and Mary to spend the day driving just to visit them for a few hours. They loved their Poppie to the moon and back and his absence will be deeply felt by Katerina, Owen, Riley, Cassandra, Abigail, Quintin, Tristen and Baby Chanko (arriving in September), all of whom adored him.
Family to Gerry was first and foremost. He spoke fondly of the memories he made in the many years spent at their family camp on Nepewassi Lake with his parents (Joseph and Marie) and his siblings. He was a loving Uncle and although he had a special bond with the family of his brother Bernie, he was often known as the favourite Uncle to many other nephews, nieces and Godchildren. His friends would tell you that to know Gerry was to love him. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, and had many unforgettable moments with his “musketeers”. He could be counted on to be the first one to lend a hand, always with a smile or joke to make you laugh. He was a proud miner, who retired from INCO after 30+ years where he was affectionately known as “Bear” by his fellow brothers underground. For years he coached young bowlers as a Master at Garson Bowl and spent over forty years in his neighbourhood helping others (he was particularly popular with the elderly ladies on his street).
Gerry’s philosophy to life was “it is what it is”, he took each day as it came and made sure his family knew the absolute joy they brought him. In his memory, the family asks that you take a moment to hug your loved ones, bring your children/grandchildren to the park, give a neighbour a helping hand and consider becoming a Blood Donor. The 40+ transfusions he received during his treatment and his caring nurses gave him the strength to fight as long as he did. This is what Gerry would have wanted, and will help his legacy of showing others respect and kindness live on.
A Celebration of Life is planned for Gerry on Saturday, May 20th, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm in the hall at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church, 40 Notre Dame Ave, Sudbury, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, donations to Miners for Cancer would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home.