We Remember

CHAREST, Gerald Ronald

March 8, 1953 — June 26, 2024

It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of Jerry Charest. He quietly slipped away at the age of 71 in the Kelowna General Hospital on the morning of June 26, 2024.

Jerry is survived by his sons, Jeremy and Jamie (Melanie); granddaughters, Stella and Julia; sisters, Rita, Jeannette, and Joanne; as well as brother-in-law, Raymond Rumley, and sister-in-law, Louise Charest. He will be greatly missed and remembered by his nieces, nephews, many relatives, and friends.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Camille and Clara (née Erasmus) Charest; his brother, Paul; and sisters, Doreen, Marlene, and Yvonne.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta on March 8, 1953, Jerry grew up in Kelowna, BC, where he attended Kelowna Secondary School and began working at Gormans Mill in Westbank as soon as he finished school. During this time he married his first wife Jean and began proudly raising his two boys. He was a very strong, hard worker and spent many years as an ironworker in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Later, he settled into his home on Wood Lake in Lake Country, BC and became a self-employed gravel truck driver under his company name “Sunshine Ventures”. He was a very fun and creative father, spending many summers patiently teaching his kids how to ride motorbikes and waterski. Whether it was an early morning coffee, fishing adventure or late sunset cruise, he loved to spend time on his boat with his friends and family. As an active member of the biker community, his passion for riding motorbikes brought him to many different places across Canada, through the states, and into Mexico. Riding connected him with many people, leaving a strong impression on everyone he met. He loved to travel, one of his favourite travel partners was his mother, who he loved dearly and spent lots of time with throughout his life.

Also known as “Jerry Cat”, the door to his house was always unlocked and open to his eclectic array of friends. With a huge heart, he welcomed everyone into his home, he did not pass judgment on any person he met. Countless, fun memories were made at parties he had at his house. He was always there to share stories, solve problems, and have a good laugh with people from all walks of life. He loved hanging out and talking over coffee at Woody’s Pub or the A&W in Winfield, BC. Always happy to help people out, he would answer his phone and make himself available to meet up anytime, anywhere if there was a friend in need.

Jerry Cat was a very kind, friendly, charismatic person, with a great sense of humour that attracted hundreds of people into his life who will forever consider him a loving friend. He will be fondly remembered and sadly missed by all those that knew him. Ride in peace.

A Funeral Service will be held on SATURDAY, JULY 13, 2024, at 4:00 PM (PDT), at SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. After the service, a gathering will be open to anyone wishing to attend at 7:30 PM, located at JERRY’S HOME: 11620 Seymour Rd, Lake Country, BC.

If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.

LIVESTREAM:

Service
Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 4:00 PM (PDT)

Location
Springfield Funeral Home

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