We Remember
GEEN, Gerald William
May 21, 1937 — June 7, 2024
Gerald Geen passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 7, 2024, at the age of 87. Gerald is survived by Kay, his loving wife of 65 years (née Kathleen Gray, daughter of Art and Nancy Gray); his 3 sons, Jerry (Brenda), David (Laura), and Kevin (Mandy); and 9 grandchildren, Emily (Yuri), Eric, Alexander (Erin), Makena, Theo, Jenna, Danika, Benji, and Kyle. Gerald will also be remembered dearly by the extended Geen and Gray families, and by his innumerable friends, former students, and former colleagues.
Gerald was predeceased by his older brother Irwin in 1946; parents Arthur and Edith in 1975; older brother Glen in 1990; daughter-in-law Jillian in 2011; and sister Vivian in 2013.
Gerald was born in Reston, Manitoba, where his family raised wheat and had a mixed farm. In 1945, the Geen family moved back to Kelowna, the town where Gerald’s father, Arthur, had been born and raised, and where Gerald’s two uncles, Alva and Percy Geen, were already fruit growers. The family settled on 30 acres of orchard adjoining Alva’s property, on Anderson Road in the Ellison district. Gerald and his siblings went to Ellison School, and later to Rutland High School. It was here that Gerald met Kay, the love of his life.
Gerald was, and is, an inspiration to his family, and to all who knew him. An old-school gentleman, he lived to serve others, paying special attention to reaching out if he knew someone was feeling down. A lifelong learner, after graduating UBC with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Gerald’s career path included being an Orchardist, a District Horticulturist, a Math and Science Teacher, the BC Fruit Growers Association President, and a Real Estate agent. In his spare time, Gerald was a graceful skier well into his 80s, a talented pianist, and a lover of automobiles.
Gerald was endowed with great intellectual and social curiosity. This trait drove his wide array of interests, and his enthusiastic embrace of new ideas, new challenges, new experiences, and most importantly, new friends. He was a Renaissance man before the term was invented! The inner spark that made Gerald so unique never deserted him, even as his body was failing him in his closing years. Gerald was an irrepressible spirit, always young at heart, and had a special bond with his children and grandchildren. He will be missed by so many.
A Celebration of Life will be held on THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM, located at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, 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.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Kelowna General Hospital, to the Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Society of Canada, or a charity of your choice in memory of Gerald’s giving nature.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 1:00 PM
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
Kelowna General Hospital Foundation or Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Society of Canada Link: www.kghfoundation.com, www.pspsocietycanada.
Service Information
Service Details
The service for GEEN, Gerald William is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 1:00 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:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
Our most sincere condolences to all of you in Gerald’s family. We enjoyed our association with Gerald in real estate dealings. He was an honest man who did his best to assist us. We thank him for that. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to the Geen family.
Gerald’s calm demeanour and common sense approach to problem solving made him a natural leader. One always had the opportunity to learn from time spent in Gerald’s company.
Rest in Peace
Tony DiMaria
Our sincere condolences to the family on the loss of such a wonderful husband, parent and grandparent. Laine and Gary Lowe
When I was in Gr. 9, in Mr. Geen’s ‘Agriculture’ class in Rutland, he hired me to work in his orchard on Saturdays and in summers till Grade 12. What a positive way to grow up! Thank you Gerald and Kay for giving a young lad the opportunity to learn valuable life skills in a positive atmosphere. Kay: you and Gerald made a positive difference in the world. Thank you.
Wilf (Willy) Pauls
Sending sincere condolences to all of the Geen family. This is like losing a local legend in the agriculture sector – an inspiring life for sure. — Myrna Stark Leader
With our deepest and heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beautiful father. He will be missed by all
who knew him.
Oyama, Lake Country
Our sincere condolences to Kay, David, Jerry, Kevin,the grandchildren and all the extended Geen family that loved him so dearly, Gerald held a special place in my heart as in the early 90’s, I was often privy to his kind words of wisdom and also to his wit. RIP, Gerald – you will be missed 🤍
Condolences to the family members of my former high school teacher Mr. Geen. Most of my teachers did not leave much of an impression with me – especially as the years have passed. But Mr. Geen was one of the exceptions. I really enjoyed learning in his class, even tho as a high school student, it wasn’t cool to admit that!
As I read his obit in the paper, I realized that his life was much more than teaching at Dr. Knox. He certainly lead a full life with his wife and family.
My thoughts are with you.
Patsy Gillis (nee Gray – but not related that I know of)
Condolences to the family. Gerald has been part of the community and a good neighbor for many years
Our condolences to the family members for this irreparable loss.
We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the Geen family on the passing of Gerald. I had the pleasure of working with Gerald for many years at the BC Fruit Growers’ Association. I will always remember his smile, his wit, and that sparkle in his eyes. He was very kind and took a personal interest in myself and my family. I was unable to attend his service, but I did watch it on livestream. What a beautiful video tribute. I had no idea he was so musical – a man with many talents.
To the family, we pray that God will surround you with His comfort at this difficult time.. Our prayers are with you! Elaine & Randy Miedema
Our sincere condolences to the Geen family. We have many fond memories of Gerald and feel grateful for his help in introducing Olle to the beautiful Okanagan.
Thinking of you,
Algard & Cumming Families
What an honor it has been to meet you, work with you and for you! Dearest Kay and Family Stay in Love, Peace and Strength as you go forward.
Your thoughtful and insightful words guided me in those early days of my teaching career at Springvalley.
Kelowna will miss you Jerry.