Gerard Francis “Gerry” LeDrew

It is with profound sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of Gerard Francis “Gerry” LeDrew at his home in St. John’s, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Leaving to mourn is his wife of 58 years, Anita (nee Murphy), his children Stephen (Trudy Lee), Susan (Rolf Pritchard) and Donald (Susan Patey); four grandchildren, Taylor (Stephen Bolen), Harrison, Anderson and Oliver Pritchard; brothers Bill and Leonard (Elaine) and only sister Grace Marie with whom he shared a special love (Rufus Drake); sisters-in-law Shirley LeDrew, Nora McIntee and Patsy Murphy; nieces and nephews Sheri-Anne, Shelley and Sandy LeDrew; Sheila, Tony, Bill and Jason LeDrew; Joanne, Jennifer and Denise LeDrew; Monica, Ryan and Stephanie LeDrew;  Michael, Sandy and Curtis LeDrew; Douglas and Andy LeDrew; Alan Guy; Martin, Janice and Colin Gavin; Darrell and Phyllis McIntee; Terri-Lynn, Christopher, Evan and JC Patey; along with his devoted dachshund Tucker.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents Rexford “Tony” and Helen (Taaffe) LeDrew; his parents-in-law Stephen and Marie (Hoskins) Murphy; brothers Gus; Paul, John, Mike and Joe LeDrew; brothers-in-law Tom Guy, Jim Gavin and Phil McIntee; sisters-in-law Elizabeth “Betty” Gavin, Mary Guy, Judie LeDrew, Edith Howlett and Joan LeDrew; and nephews Doug and Robert Guy.

Gerry was a very humble man but an incredible athlete, excelling at every sport he ventured.  He played baseball and softball on Provincial and National levels.  His love of sports played a pivotal role in meeting his wife, Anita, when she tagged along with her friend to see Gerry in the hospital after he’d broken his arm sliding into home base.  He may not have scored the run, but he got the girl! Gerry was an avid bowler which he often reminisced with much joy that he was able to experience with both his brothers AND his father (about whom he did brag as he had been on the very first team that won the Herder Memorial trophy).

He loved to curl and like many other sports, clinched many team and personal titles along the way.  He even had his hand at basketball throughout school and thereafter – telling tales about the time he and his brothers were playing a game in Stephenville against a team of US Servicemen only to have his eldest brother Bill, and far and away their best player, fouled out of the game.  Losing the game meant nothing to Gerry.  What made his heart burst with pride was the request of the opposing team that Bill be allowed to play so as to keep the game competitive.  That was Gerry.  He loved the people and the stories as much as, or possibly more than the games themselves.  He often never spoke about the scores or who won the games, speaking rather about the experiences such as how someone felt about the way they played or about the general experiences of the competition, like the time he and his brothers Joe and John were banned from the “all you can eat” Chinese buffet at the National Slo-Pitch Softball championship in Ontario!  He was often known to tell a yarn and to say of a story “it doesn’t always have to be true, it just has to be good!”

Outside of his family, his true love was the game of Golf which he lived and breathed, not just for the game itself, but for the opportunity it afforded him to share time with friends, family and new friends along the way. And as everyone who golfs knows, it never rains on the golf course!   When still in his teens and working at Goodyear & House on West Street in Corner Brook, it wasn’t uncommon to hear Mr. H.O. House tell Gerry that he had done enough work for the day, which was code for “Gerry – I have a tee time and need you to caddie for me.”  Gerry had a flawless easy swing that won him the opportunity to be part of Team Newfoundland (as it then was) at the Willingdon Cup in Ontario. Perhaps not bringing home that hardware was a blessing, as there was not enough room on the shelves brimming with trophies to accommodate it!  A perpetual gentleman, Gerry was a delight to play with, learn from and laugh with.  Never to brag, always to encourage. A beautiful human.

Gerry’s family was his life, his siblings, wife, children and the four grandchildren whom he adored.   Gerry was always there to offer a kind word, a cup of tea, attend a practice or game and to reduce any problem to surmountable components.  But he didn’t stop at family.  The number of lives he touched by his generosity, kindness, twinkling blue eyes, warm smile, handshake or most often, gentle embrace are immeasurable.  Gerry was a selfless person, never thinking he deserved anything, but wanting everything for his children and grandchildren.  He shared deeply in every loss they suffered, and beamed with pride and celebrated every success.

Involved in numerous charities throughout his life, Gerry was a selfless person, who literally took off and gave his winter jacket to a needy person he encountered walking on the streets of St. John’s.  Always a joke at family dinners, he would not pick up food for himself until everyone had picked up theirs, saying he’d have toast if there was nothing left.  Volunteering and community involvement gave him great joy which he continued until COVID made it impossible and thereafter his progressing dementia.   Gerry cherished his involvement with the Church as a lay reader, choir member and Eucharistic minister (even teaching the wedding course with his beloved “Nete”) and also his time as Grand Knight of the Archbishop Howley Council of the Knights of Columbus and as President of the West Side Sports Club (Monarchs).

His passing leaves a void in our lives that can never be filled.

The family would like to express their gratitude for all who have travelled to see Gerry when his health was failing, for relatives, incredible friends and gracious neighbours who prepared meals and were always ready to assist. A special thank you to Dave Soucy who gave the world an extra 8 years with Gerry when he decided to have a heart attack on the #9 hole of the Gander Golf Course and Dave quickly brought him to the emergency room on his golf cart which timeliness saved Gerry’s life.  And to Drs. Stephen Major and Susan Mercer who cared compassionately for Gerry and provided tremendous support to the family, along with his care providers, Bernice, Christine, Mary, Princess and Rhoda who provided consistent and loving care even when it became increasingly challenging. And to his lifelong and closest friends, Jerry and Jean Rex, Bernd and Rochelle Staeben and especially Dave and Marcella Gillett, Rosanne Barclay and Cindy Halloran whose unwavering friendship and kindness supported Gerry and his family until his final moments, the family will be eternally grateful.

Cremation was entrusted to Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, where the family will receive visitors on Friday, October 27^th, from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm.   Gerry’s service and celebration of life will occur in Corner Brook next summer (2024), the details of which will be facilitated through the Fillatre’s Funeral Home website.