We Remember

GEROLAMI, Joseph John

October 15, 1956 — November 10, 2022

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Joseph John Gerolami “Joey/Joe”, aged 66, announce his passing on November 10, 2022, due to complications from COVID-19. Joey died peacefully surrounded by his loving family.

Joey was lovingly known and is survived by his wife of 44 years, best friend, and business partner, Lynda Gerolami (née Milani); his children, Jamie (Janelle) and Michael (Andrea); his father Giosue Gerolami (Joe), stepmother Judy Gerolami; his brother Julian and sister Wendy (Ian). He is also survived by his pride and joy, grandchildren Marcus, Alex, and Milla. He was predeceased by his mother Gladys.

Joey was born in Fort William, Ontario on October 15, 1956, to Joe and Gladys Gerolami. He graduated from Westgate High School in 1974 and began his apprenticeship in the plumbing trade. Joey excelled in this field, earning his Journeyman’s qualification, Master Plumber designation, and becoming a partner with Clow Darling Mechanical in Thunder Bay. In 1998, he moved with his wife and sons to Kelowna, BC, following his heart and his dream, and founded Border Mechanical Services Ltd. with his wife Lynda.

Joey was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather. His grandkids filled his heart and gave him some of his best times. He always made sure he was present for Marcus and Alex, cheering them on in whatever activities and passions they participated in.

Joey loved to travel, especially with his family. A lifelong dream vacation took place in 2011, when Joey got to trace his father’s roots back to Italy by visiting Rome, Florence, Venice, and his father’s hometown Pasiano di Pordenone. In 2016, Joey beamed with pride when he took his family and grandkids to Disneyland. Anyone who met or knew Joey would soon find out that he had a passion for visiting Las Vegas, Nevada. The “summer cottage”, as he would often refer to it, played host to countless vacations, concerts, conventions, hockey games and NASCAR races.

Joey was an avid sports fan. His passion for team sports began when he started coaching hockey in Thunder Bay for Neebing Minor Hockey. Over the years, many of the kids Joey coached reached out saying that he was their favourite coach they ever played for. He was a 20-year season ticket holder to the Kelowna Rockets. He watched his beloved Boston Bruins, Green Bay Packers, and New York Yankees win championships on TV. The highlight of Joey’s sports fan life came in 2011 when he attended Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, Texas – His Green Bay Packers Won! He recently adopted a new team to cheer for, the Las Vegas Golden Knights, playing in his home away from home, Las Vegas.

Joey’s true passion in life was being an entrepreneur. He worked tirelessly with his wife, sons, and his devoted Border Team to establish and grow his business to the success it is today. Joey beamed with pride when customers took the time to call or write in to say what an exceptional job our staff had done to take care of their needs. He attributed much of his success to being involved in a “Best Practices Group” The Service Roundtable and The Service Nation Alliance. Joey was actively involved in weekly meetings where he provided and received mentorship together with fellow contractors. He wanted everyone in his groups to succeed in business and to thrive in their personal/family lives.

Joey was a kidney transplant recipient, receiving a kidney from his loving wife Lynda in 2014.

Joey will be remembered as loving, funny, giving and selfless to a fault. To say he was strong-willed and a survivor would be an understatement. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, business associates and all who knew him.

We would like to extend a special thank-you to Joey’s loving Aunty Milena and Uncle Domenic, and to their entire family, who helped us get through this incredibly difficult time.

We would also like to thank the entire staff at the Kelowna General Hospital, especially the doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists of the ICU.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation.

A Celebration of Life to honour Joey is scheduled for FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, at THE FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON (5505 Airport Way in Kelowna, BC).

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

Service
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022, from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Location
THE FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON

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Kidney Foundation of Canada Link: kidney.ca

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for GEROLAMI, Joseph John is scheduled for FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022, from 11:00 am - 2:00 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:

THE FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON

5505 Airport Way Kelowna, BC

Phone:


Special Requests:

None.


Funeral Pointers:

 


Condolences

  • Donna & Cecil Moffett says:

    Dear Lynda and family. We were so saddened to hear of Joey’s passing. Please accept our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. When you were still living in Thunder Bay and we would visit we loved seeing you. Sending much love.

  • Fiona Bodnar says:

    Gerolami Family
    My sincere condolences for the loss of your Husband, Father, Grandfather, & Brother. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers .

  • Karen and Gary says:

    Wendy, I know your brother Joey held a very special place in your heart. Sending our condolences to you and your entire family. Love Karen and Gary.

  • GaryBlackman says:

    My condolences to Linda and the Gerolami family. Joey will be sadly missed. I cherish the memories of the many times we met in ThunderBay and the trip my family took to Kelowna for Joey’s son Jamie’s wedding. One of the highlights of that trip was having beverages at Joey’s house and walking down the steep backyard hill to the golf course behind to play bocce ball on one of the fairways until it got dark. You will be missed, but your legacy lives on in memory!

  • Vito Donatiello says:

    I am truly going to miss you Joe ! You’ll always have a place in my heart as I know the love you had for you Linda and your amazing Son’s and the love you had for your grandkids ..
    “Thinking of you and your family as you celebrate the life of your beloved.” “I am sharing in your sadness as you remember your loved one.” “I cannot imagine the pain and heartache you’re feeling. I am praying for your peace and comfort.” “Please accept my sincere condolences.” Vito Donatiello ! ( East Vancouver) Transplant Survivor ! Ps. Thank you for tell me to be vigilant about covid-19 !

  • Barb Scanlan says:

    My dear Lynda and family. Sorry l couldn’t be there in person, but l want you to know my heart will be with all of you on Friday.
    Love and hugs from Thunder Bay,
    Love, Barb

  • Vicki Riddell says:

    Linda and Family,
    My deepest condolences to all of you during this sad time. Losing a loved one is never easy. Thinking of you.
    Vicki Riddell (Thunder Bay)

  • Brian Magdee says:

    Dear Lynda, Jamie, Michael and Family:
    Please accept my condolences on the loss of Joey. Thinking of you all during this sad time.
    Sincerely,
    Brian

  • Roy White says:

    Im so thankful to have been able to know and receive a tremendous amount of wisdom and coaching from Joe. Every Wednesday we could count on Joe to share, encourage, and mentor anyone who needed it. I physically met him back in April as we had always been faces on a computer screen. When we saw each other he gave me the biggest hug. We called Joe “The Godfather” in our AB group and he smiled everytime we did. He will be missed for sure but im thankful to know we will meet again one day. Prayers for all of his family and friends that i know Joe loved tremendously.

  • Carlos Capetillo says:

    My condolences to his wife Lynda, kids and family. He was one of a kind and will be missed. He’s part of a generation that helped make Kelowna what it is today. Rest in peace.

  • Ted and Ramona Laskowski says:

    Lynda, Jamie, Michael and Family,
    These condolences come with heartfelt sorrow. We didn’t keep in touch as often as we should have over the years but you were always in our thoughts and thinking of years gone by always put a smile on our faces. You will be sorely missed my friend. 💞

  • Larry & Karen Gammond says:

    Our Condolences to you and your family our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • Murray Hasick says:

    Lynda, Jamie, Michael and Family
    I was shocked and saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. While we hadn’t seen each other in person for quite a while, I enjoyed the time we worked together at Home Shows and on a few projects in the past. He was a generous guy and an astute businessman. Please accept my condolences to the entire family.
    Murray Hasick

  • Lynn Piccolo says:

    My heart goes out to you all. Keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Jacquie Elvish says:

    Lynda and family, I am so sorry for your loss.

  • Paul and Mary Jo Fitzpatrick says:

    Lynda and family, our sincerest condolences on Joe’s passing. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.

  • Doug and Lucy LeBlanc says:

    We are shocked and saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family during this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • Brian & Doreen Godfrey says:

    Lynda and Family, So very sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. We share with you all many happy memories of Neebing minor hockey with our boys and Coach Joe. What a great guy! Thinking of you with sincere condolences.

  • Ed O'Connell says:

    Felt like a punch in the solar plexus when I heard the news. Don’t know what to say except maybe everyone who knew Joe now has a hole in their lives. Not many like this guy, and I’ll sure miss seein’ him around our industry meetings. RIP, Dude, RIP.

  • Annie Oryschak says:

    Lynda and family, I am so sorry to hear about Joey’s passing. This is a very sad hard time for you all and I hope you find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have.
    Your cousin, Annie

  • Ron Forsyth says:

    Lynda and family our sympathy for your loss
    Fond memories of Joe at Neebing minor hockey and our days in the Thunder Bay workplace
    Ron & Jan (Edmonton)

  • Dave Gvora says:

    Lynda and family, I am so saddened to hear about. Joey. We had some good times when we where all starting our careers at Clow Darling many years ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time

  • Kathryne Wasylyk says:

    Lynda and Family
    I was so sorry to hear about Joeys death. I didn’t know him well, but I remember how nice he was and so easy to talk to. Hopefully your memories will bring you some comfort.
    Sincerely Kathryne Wasylyk

  • Lehtinen family says:

    Dear Lynda and family. We were so very sorry to hear about Joey’s passing. Our prayers and heartfelt condolences to you and your family. The Lehtinen family.

  • Larry Santin says:

    The Gerolami Family,
    So sorry for your loss. Praying for you to have peace during this difficult time.

  • Hans and Mary Jo Kuch says:

    Dear Lynda and Family
    Our sincere condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.

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