Obituary of Gerald Munroe

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Gerald "Gerry" Munroe, of Kitchener on December 8th, 2010. By his side, he was surrounded by his angel-loving wife Denise of 55 years and his 5 beautiful children: Deborah (husband Richard), Shaun (wife Sharon), Alison (husband Rick), Janice and Greg (wife Marisa). Gerry was born on May the 8th 1929 in St. Andrews East, Quebec. He is survived by his two sisters Beverley Edwards (Bert) and Joan Smythe (Don). Gerry was also the cherished "Papa" of 12 grandchildren: Kimberley, Chelsea, Pamela, Molly, Hannah, Paulina, Alexandra, Olivia, Margo, Nicolas, Luke and Marcus. Before moving to the Kitchener-Waterloo area, Gerry and Denise lived in Saint Bruno, Quebec. He was an active member in the community, a "key" player in the Santa Claus parade, as well as a member of the town council and an avid sports participant and coach. If you knew Gerry, he was always the life of the party. A sharp dresser and wherever he went, his joie de vivre would fill the room. He lived his days to the fullest and his family meant everything to him. During the summer months, Gerry and Denise spent time at their cottage on Green Lake in the Laurentians. In the winter, when not taking his grandchildren to the hockey rinks, Gerry and Denise vacationed in the Cayman Islands; enjoying daily walks on 7 Mile Beach. Professionally, Gerry retired in 1989 as the Vice-President of Canadian Operations for J.O. Butler Company (G.U.M. Toothbrushes). He was the pioneer in bringing Butler to Canada in 1970 and fuelled its sales into a multi-million dollar enterprise. As the business expanded, he moved the Company from Montreal to Guelph Ontario where he and Denise resided in Kitchener-Waterloo. From a young age Gerry had a strong passion for horses. He was the owner of a horse named "Triple S" that won the John Labatt Classic in London in 1990. Gerry was also a member of the Westmount Golf & Country Club, Knights of Columbus, the Retired Business Men's Association, and enjoyed cheering on the Waterloo Siskins and Kitchener Rangers to victory. In celebration of Gerry's life, visitation will be held at the Erb and Good Family Funeral Home 171 King Street South, in Waterloo, Friday evening December 10th from 6:00 -9:00 pm. A funeral mass will take place at Blessed Sacrament RC Church at 1:00pm on Saturday December 11th followed by a reception back at Erb and Good Family Funeral Home from 2:30 to 3:30 pm. For his Montreal friends and family, a memorial service and his eventual burial will take place late spring 2011 at Notre-Dame Des Neiges cemetery in Montreal. Donations on behalf of Gerry can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Ontario or the Canadian Diabetes Association by contacting the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or www.erbgood.com We love you Dad and we miss you already.