Obituary of Gerald Joseph St. Onge
ST. ONGE, GERALD JOSEPH
(Nov. 16, 1934 - Jan. 27, 2018)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gerry St. Onge on January 27, 2018 at the Rideaucrest Home. Predeceased by his devoted wife of 55 years, Shirley May St. Onge (nee Ducette) and his parents Joseph and Marie (Brunet) St. Onge. Much loved father of David St. Onge (Jennifer) and Michelle Garofalo (Francesco). Survived by his sister, Lou Dunn (widow of Amby). Sadly missed by his grandchildren Jake and Ben Garofalo and Lauren and Jack St. Onge.
Gerry was a popular musician, particularly as drummer with 'The Countrymen' along with the late Tom Keates and the recently departed Fred Paquin Sr. who also passed away on the same day.
Gerry retired from the Correctional Service of Canada in 1990 after a rewarding 31-year career (Collins Bay 1959-1965; Joyceville 1965-1971; return to Collins Bay 1971-1977 and Joyceville 1977-1982, and finally Kingston Penitentiary 1982-1990) followed by 16 years of volunteerism at Canada's Penitentiary Museum. He loved going to auctions and dabbled in collecting antiques. He also had a passion for cars. In his youth he enjoyed a brief 1-year stock car racing career, ending the 1953 season as the Kingston Speedway Novice Champion. He worked as a car salesman before joining the penitentiary service in 1959.
Gerry was a member of the Kingston branch of the 'An Quaich Single Malt Society' and enjoyed attending Scotch dinners at the Kingston Brewing Company with his son and many close friends. He was a dedicated sports fan with an affinity for the Toronto-based professional teams (Leafs, Jays & Raptors). Heaven has one more Leafs fan to help them try to land another Stanley Cup! He was particularly loyal to Kingston Junior A hockey teams (the Canadians and the Frontenacs) and occupied seat 'A-1' right behind the home bench at the Memorial Centre for many seasons.
Our family would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers of the Rideaucrest Home who came to know him over the past 6 years. Your affection for him, and his for you, has warmed our hearts. It was comforting for us to know that he was safe in your care.
With a God-given knack for telling jokes, Gerry's sense of humour will be remembered by those who knew him. He kept us in laughter to the end. In recent years, he often said,
"You can't take it with you. You never see a trailer hitch on a hearse!"
There will be a visitation at the James Reid Funeral Home on Thursday, February 1, 2018 from 6-8pm. Visitation will continue on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 11-11:50am followed by a Chapel service at 12pm. The inurnment will follow the chapel service at Glenhaven Memorial Gardens at 1:00pm. The family and guests will then return to the funeral home for the reception. Anyone not going to the inurnment is welcome to make their way to the reception centre following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Friends of the Penitentiary Museum at Kingston Inc. or the charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
