Howes, Gerald Roy

Jan 13, 2016

Peacefully, surrounded by the love his family, Gerald went to be with the Lord in the early hours of Sunday, January 10, 2016. Born April 7, 1939 in Wagerville, on the family farm, Gerald is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Miriam, nee Taylor.
Miriam and Gerald had two children, Connie Howes (Murray Robertson) and Darren Howes (Donna), 4 grandsons, Quinton Howes (Heather), Lucas Howes (Jen Miller), Nicholas Howes and Curtis Howes and great-grandchildren, Brayden, Noah, Henry and Grace. He was also much loved Grandpa to Aaliyah.
Gerald was pre-deceased by his sister, Marion and her husbands, Nial Wagar and Silas Cooke.
He is survived by his brother-in-law Brian Taylor and sister-in-law Julie Taylor as well as their children and grandchildren.
Gerald worked many jobs over the years, starting at the Woodland Dairy in Parham and then on the CP Railroad.  He also worked at DuPont in the yarn works. He did a stint at Canadian Tire (wining sales awards) and was a township councillor and the municipal clerk/treasurer.
He eventually worked in the Frontenac County Registry Office and became the Treasurer for the County of Frontenac.
While in municipal politics he was instrumental in getting Hinchinbrooke Public School built (so his kids wouldn’t have to
attend the one room school house he did). He helped get grants to build the arena in Picadilly.
Dad owned the garage in Parham, selling Alouette snow mobiles, and mercury outboard engines, gas and oil and having a fuel delivery business.
He farmed the farm of his grandparents, Annie and Everton Cronk, raising everything from cattle to goats to ostriches. And as a farmer, he was a huge supporter of Parham Fair and the plowing match.
Mum and Dad had a store and chip truck in Parham for several years, too. He was one of the first to have a cell phone and sold them also. He dabbled in Amway, Wilex and NuSkin, all multi-level marketing. One would think he fancied himself a salesman. And then he got into modular homes and sold many of them.
Gerald liked a good deal, a good job and meat and potatoes. He met with courage, any problems that arose to challenge him. He was a can-do kind of guy. From moving a cottage on a hay-wagon to fixing the lawn mower, there wasn’t much he didn’t turn his hand to.
But his most important job was as a husband, Dad and Gramps.
We will miss his humour, his stories and his determination. He sometimes gave in, but he never, ever gave up.
Visitation will be at Trousdale’s funeral home in Sydenham on Friday, January 15th, from 1-3 and 6-8pm.
The Funeral will held Saturday, January 16th at 1pm at Trinity United Church in Verona. Interment to follow in Parham Cemetery in the family plot.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s of the Lake, Palliative Care, Sheeba’s Haven (Dog rescue) or Trinity United Church.
IN THE CARE OF TROUSDALE FUNERAL HOME, 4374 Mill St., Box 264 SYDENHAM, ON K0H 2T0. www.trousdalefuneralhome.com