September 9, 2010
IN Memory of;
Gerald Irwin Stephens passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2010 in Polson Extended Care Facility in Vernon.
Gerry began work at the age of 13 in the oil fields of Alberta where he met his wife Mae “Lorraine” Stephens. In Alberta they started their family and eventually moved to Quesnel in 1966. Gerry drove truck for various companies including logging and also worked on the cement crew who built the west Quesnel bridge. Lorraine owned her own beauty salon and at times worked for other beauticians in Quesnel. Gerry continued to drive truck until his retirement from Argo Road Maintenance.
Gerry and Lorraine had six children; Dean (Carol) Stephens, Allan Stephens, Debbie (Dale) Clark, Terry Stephens (deceased), Wayne (Bonnie) Stephens, Stacey (Ken) Jenkins and made their home on the old Prince George highway, later moving to a new home down by the river below Jen’s Food Market. They have eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Gerry and Lorraine loved sports and were often found at ball games or at the curling rink.
Gerry is survived by five of his children and by his brother Jim Stephens of Calgary and many nephews and nieces.
Gerry loved to be on the water and spent many summers teaching his children and others to water ski at Rogers resort, 10 Mile Lake and numerous other camping and water sites in the area. He also loved to rebuild cars and over the years most of the vehicles Lorraine drove were a product of something Gerry brought home to fix.
A grave side service will be held at the Quesnel Cemetery on the Quesnel Hixon Road at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10th. Following a brief service family and friends will gather at Evan and Eleanor Clark’s home on Falcon Road off the Barkerville Highway to remember life. Others are welcome to share in remembrance of our father; mother and life in the Quesnel area.
Many thanks, to the compassionate and caring, nurses and to Dr. Tim Gilhooly at Vernon Jubilee Hospital. Also, a very special Thank You, to the staff at Polson Extended Care Facility also of Vernon.