We Remember
WHITE, Kerry Brent
—
“After climbing a great hill – one only finds there are many more to climb”. Kerry Brent White has moved from ‘hammering’ up mountains in this lifetime to conquering them in the next. Kerry was born November 22, 1961, and passed away due to complications of a heart attack August 18, 2013.
Kerry was predeceased by his parents Arlene and Eric. Raised in Gibsons with his two siblings Charlene and Kevin, Kerry enjoyed the simple life and all the pleasures that could be had for ‘cheap’. Early on Kerry learned thriftiness, and very probably wore the lessons of his youth. “I’m not cheap – I just hate waste!”
After the birth of his daughter Kelsey in 1989, and son Nolan in 1992, Kerry was given the gift of a bike, and there began a lifelong passion/obsession for the sport of cycling. Kerry tried anything once. He was a highly competitive athlete, and a passionate participant in every activity he joined – whether on a bike, in a dragon boat, playing a mean game of crib, or simply enjoying homemade baked goods – Kerry was always ‘ALL IN’. Kerry earned the 2012 BC Masters Cycling Champion title for his age category, a feat he and others were very proud of. He lived by the mantra, “There will be a lot of complaining that today was too hard- but winners never complain. If you’re not first- you’re last.”
To his wife Debby, Kerry was and will remain the love of her life. Together they built the life they both wanted finally marrying in 2012 after 10 years together. They were happiest when together, and Debby has many happy memories of their road trips, travels, concerts, walks, talks, and special ‘date nights’. “I love you more…”
Kerry is survived by his loving wife Debby, his children Kelsey and Nolan, Deb’s kids Duncan and Graeme, his sister Charlene (brother-in-law Bob, nieces Amy and Robyn), his brother Kevin (partner Yvonne), and many special friends.
A special thank you to Geoff and Jason who made Kerry’s passing easier to bear with their quiet presence and strength. Kerry and Debby would also like to thank the staff of the Kelowna ICU (specifically nurses Connie and Jenny) for their kind and compassionate care.
Memorial service will be held Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 3:30 pm at First United Church,15385 Semiahmoo Ave., White Rock, BC. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com, 250-860-7077. No flowers please- donations in Kerry’s memory can be made to the ride2survive at:
http://ride2survive.kintera.org/2013/inmemoryofkerrywhite.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 3:30 pm
Location
First United Church
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Donations in Kerry's memory can be made to the ride2survive. Link: http://ride2survive.kintera.org/2013/inmemoryofkerrywhite.
Service Information
Service Details
The service for WHITE, Kerry Brent is scheduled for Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 3:30 pm . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
First United Church
15385 Semiahmoo Ave., White Rock, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
I raced with Kerry in Masters Cycling(I was in his age catagory)…The truth is I mostly chased, marked and followed him on all the road races and hill climbs he attended on the Island.
After seeing how he performed last year he was the one that made me work harder this past winter. I wanted to ride like Kerry. I wanted to beat Kerry. He didn’t know that, but I knew that. I admired not only his ability and strength to ride but also his tactical sense of the race.
I pushed myself on the trainer this winter in the hopes of at least keeping up to him maybe even beating him (if maybe he had one leg in a cast).
One of the first races of the season this year were the two hill climbs Mill Bay and Shawnigan Lake. I was anticipating the Shawnigan Lake hill climb (Kerry had won it last year) because I knew it would be a good indicator of my fitness if I could stay on Kerry’s wheel. As the race unfolded Kerry and I were taking equal turns on the front until about 2/3 of the way up. I could feel my breathing getting more laboured with each pedal stroke. Soon I was just following Kerry’s wheel not taking any pulls. In that moment of extreme physical effort I was trying to listen to Kerry’s breathing over my own, I wanted to know if he was labouring. He gave me no hint of how much effort he was making and with less than a k to go I had nothing left and he road on to win again this year.
I crossed the line in 2nd place feeling proud of what I accomplished. Kerry came up to me after the race and congradulated me on my ride. He told me that I pushed him almost to his limit.
Wow I thought…that comment he made “pushed him almost to his limit” made all that training I did in the winter worth every drop of sweat. It “was” worth it.
I had ridden with the best I knew, pedal stroke for pedal stroke. He made me feel fantastic.
I thanked Kerry for what he said that day. He was a genuine person.
I did many other races this year with him as he continued his dominance of BC Master Cycling.
I will miss his strenght, his ability and most of all his quiet confidence.
My thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his cycling crew.
Lionel Gaudet
“In his or her life, each person can take one or two attitudes: to build or to plant. Builders may take years over their tasks, but one day they will finish what they are doing. Then they will stop, hemmed in by their own walls. Life becomes meaningless once the building is finished. Those who plant suffer the storms and the seasons and rarely rest. Unlike a building, a garden never stops growing. And by its constant demands on the gardener’s attentions, it makes of the gardener’s life a great adventure”. ~ Paulo Coelho ~
Kerry lived an adventurous life; family, cycling, community, and work. We have known Debby and her kids for years and though we did not know Kerry as well we knew they were happy together and family was important to them. Kerry’s love for cycling was evident. You could never talk to him for long without the subject of the latest ride or the upcoming ride coming up. We were so saddened to hear of his passing;
our deepest condolences and thoughts are with his family and friends.
I’ll put together a few of the pictures of Kerry I’ve taken over the years and send them to you. He is missed by many of us.
Kerry will be missed by both myself as a fellow Masters racer and the greater Comox Valley Cycling Club community to which Kerry attended our July race weekend the last couple of years. Us racers do not seem to talk much during a race and afterwards exhaustion and time limit the conversations. Condolences to his family and friends to which personally I was becoming one.
Kerry was larger than life, and so full of life, he always lived his life to the fullest. The void that his passing leaves shall never be filled. His laughter, his voice, his passions,his competitiveness, his inner and outer strength and his determination will live on in all those who knew him. He was a great friend, someone you could count on to help you when you needed it or to put the hurt on you on a ride when you needed that too. Kerry you left us far too early, you will always be with us my good friend, may you Ride in Peace…
As a Team Coastal member and long time Ride2Survive volunteer, I’ve always admired Kerry’s quiet strength. I remember one year he rode Test of Metal and R2S within days of each other. I always thought of him as an elite athlete and a great human being. All the best to his loved ones.
Dayle St Dennis
Kerry was among my closest friends, and constant cycling companion since 2007. An ever-present [and unrealistic] goal of mine was to someday be able to pass him on a climb. Anyway, that never did happen. Among our group of cyclists, Kerry was the force that brought us all together for rides, races, and cycling trips. To say that he was a positive influence in the lives of those he knew is an understatement. His passing was a great shock, and I miss him deeply.
Kerry’s zest for life and adventurous spirit will be remembered always. Our deepest condolences to his family and everyone close to him. Kerry, you left us too early but your legacy will always live on..
I met Kerry in the mid 90’s at a Mountain Bike Club. From the moment we met, we connected. He was larger than life, always happy & positive, and never had a negative thing to say. Of course he would carry on with his passion for biking and I went on to other things. On occasion, I would get together with Kerry for a “ride” but quickly realized that he was way out of my league and I was only tagging along as an anchor. It didn’t matter, Kerry would only encourage me and we would stop after, have a beer and just have a chat that only I and Kerry would have.
Kerry was a loyal and true friend that both myself and Elzmari were honored to have gotten to know. It is with great sadness that we say good bye to our dear friend. He left us way to early. He will always be remembered in our hearts and we miss him dearly. Our prayers and thoughts will remain with Debbie and family. May you rest in peace, Kerry and each time myself, Elzmari, or our children get on our bikes, we’ll think of you. I miss you buddy.
Debby, I was so sad and shocked to hear about Kerry. I remember so well when you and Kerry first started dating. Your eyes lit up when you spoke about this “neat guy” you had met and the similar interests you shared. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your boys for the loss of this wonderful man in your lives.
Take care and when you are feeling up to it, I am always ready for a coffee and a chat.
Love
Darlene
Like many of Kerry’s friends I met him through cycling 6 or 7 years ago and rode with him periodically over the years. Although I was always impressed with his riding abilities I was equally impressed with the quality of his character. Kerry always came across as a very genuine, humble and caring person. In July we drove down to the Olympic Peninsula to do a ride and although we had a great time on the bikes the drive time became more memorable than the ride time because it felt like a gift of friendship carefully wrapped in Kerry’s qualities of genuineness, humbleness and care. I miss him, we all miss him. My prayers and thoughts are with his family.
For Kerry a long time friend and badminton partner, going back to the days we first met in Sechelt, BC playing badminton from the moment we met it was friends all the way if i can remember correctly we’ve been badminton partners for 15 years, Kerry ventured off in different disciplines running, paddling, and of course biking, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed a long friendship and sports minded partner. spending 30 plus years with a great friend will always be there as a good memory. Condolences to all who knew him.
from Jamie
Kerry was also a member of the TD Lightning dragon boat team and paddled for more than 10 years. He was a tremendous paddler and the team was always amazed that he had time to train for 2 sports. The team has wonderful memories racing with Kerry in Kelowna, Victoria, Harrison, Las Vegas and many other festivals. Kerry also actively participated in Paddle for Kids raising funds for BC Children’s Hospital. My fondness memory was competing in the UBC Day of the Long Boat competition, a 1.6 km obstacle course. Kerry jumped out of the boat to retrieve the baton from shore and he was shocked to return to an overturned long boat when I inadvertently caused the boat to roll over. It came as a complete shock to hear of his passing. Kerry will be missed by past and current members of the TD Lightning family. Our condolences to Debby and the kids.
I first met Kerry when I decided to give dragon boating a try 9 years ago. I remember him being very welcoming and encouraging to new paddlers. He had a this great sense of humour and I soon found out very quickly how much he loved to play crib! It was a ‘must do’ at all the festivals we attended to while away the time between races. He loved to win and how he remembered all the different games he played against who and what happened that game never ceased to amaze me! He also had this great laugh – I remember telling him once that he reminded of the Sheriff of Nottingham and there was that laugh of his! There were many laughs shared at the team get togethers and I will always treasure them – I’m only sorry I missed seeing you at the last gathering at Ray and Dom’s. My deepest condolences to Debbie and family for your great loss.
Hi Kerry
I remember you had worked with us 35 years ago in Yoshi Restaurant. Now you flew away for your long trip last month. I hope you are enjoying your bicycling on your trip and meet your ancestor who are waiting and welcome for your arrival. We will meet you in the paradise.
Thank you very much for working together & Happy memories.
Yoshi
My deepest condolences to Debbie and Kerry’s family. Kerry was just an open friend to me and others on the road and off the bike. We met at a Masters Road Race in Courtenay in 2009 were booked in at the same B&B that night. I remember there was no mercy in the cribbage game we played that night. But it was all encouragement at the hill climb the next day and in every other event I met him at over the next few years. Friend, thanks for all your openness.