Gerald McNair

In Loving Memory of

Gerry McNair

(January 26, 1958- January 13, 2017)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Gerry McNair, aged 58, beloved husband of Lise McNair and cherished father of Bobby, Julie, Joey and Jocelyne McNair.

After an unexpectedly short and courageous battle with cancer (7 weeks), Gerry died suddenly but peacefully at the Boundary Trails Hospital on Friday, January 13, 2017 surrounded by his family and friends.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents, Douglas McNair and Juliette Parent, and three of his 9 siblings, Ed McNair, Diane St. Jean, and Evelyn Tygat. In addition to his beloved family, left to mourn his loss are his siblings and their families: Bob, Jeannette, Jennifer & Jodie; Louise, Denny, Dylan & Brittney; Marie, Tony, Amy & Randy; David, Joelle, Alain & Andre; Patricia & Greg; and Paul. His loss will also be mourned by his brother-in-law Lenny Tygat, his close cousin, Francois Parent and the whole Parent family. Gerry also leaves to mourn his in-laws, Bill and Raymonde Grossman; Paul, Lilliane, Nathaniel & Lucas; sister-in-laws Gisele and Nicole, and innumerable friends, colleagues and community members.

Gerry was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba and grew up in Windsor Park, where he married Lise (nee Grossman) of Lorette, MB on July 15, 1994 and raised their four beautiful children there (34 Cypress Bay) until 2005 when Gerry, and Lise moved with the children to live and work in God’s Lake Narrows, MB. Two years later, they built and settled in their current home in Snow Valley, MB nestled in the beautiful forests, creeks and hills of the Pembina Valley.

Gerry was an extraordinarily interesting, talented and memorable man who made an impression on everyone he met. He will be especially remembered by all for his passion for hockey and his skills as a hockey player, as well as his incredible guitar playing and singing. He used his talents in both of these areas to further his education by paying his way through university as a professional musician and playing college hockey. Gerry earned his first degree in Education and spent 10 years as an elementary school teacher where he began his life-long legacy of changing people’s lives. “Monsieur McNair” quickly and permanently earned a reputation as a teacher adored by his students and their parents (and the intriguing and lovely young new teacher down the hall who would become his wife and soul-mate!). His passion for learning and for helping kids drew him to further his education in the area of counselling. He completed his Master’s degree in this area, and after several years as a school counsellor, moved out of the school system and into private practice, where he spent the past 20 years committed to caring for and supporting people through their most difficult times and experiences, promoting the value and importance of emotional and mental health supports and access, and developing a framework for understanding human behaviour which he was looking forward to finishing and publishing in his retirement. Gerry had a special passion for working with, supporting and learning from First Nations people, and spent the majority of his career as a contract psychotherapist for Health Canada (FNIHB) providing invaluable crisis response and counselling assistance to rural and northern First Nations communities.

The family would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of love and support they have received at the news of his sudden passing, and would like to welcome everyone whose lives Gerry has touched an opportunity to come together in celebration of his life at the community hall in Notre Dame de Lourdes on Sunday, January 22, 2017 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

Very special thanks and recognition to Gisele Roy and Michelle Churchill (dear family and nurses) and the Boundary Trails Cancer Care and Palliative Care staff for their committed, kind and compassionate support for Gerry and the whole family during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Katie Cares.ca ; Boundary Trails Palliative Care Unit, or in support of any community mental health facility or service.

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame de Lourdes, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 204-248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. For more information and condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

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