September 28, 1939 - April 1, 2023
Jerry passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 1st. He was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence (1961) and Lestie (1980), his brother George (2003), sister Florence Coppinger (2007) and her husband Charley (2010). Jerry was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ.
After high school, he apprenticed and worked as a journeyman lineman for Salt River Project until 1975 when he moved to Richmond, BC, to work for BC Hydro. Because of his love for fishing, he moved to Masset in 1979 and continued to work for BC Hydro. Then in 1985, he left Hydro to harvest abalone until its moratorium in 1990. He proceeded to start his own sports chartering business until he moved off island and went back to work for B.C. Hydro as a lineman. Jerry enjoyed camping and hunting, especially bow hunting in Saskatchewan.
Jerry was also an avid dart player in Masset and attended various dart tournaments throughout the northern region. It was during one of these tournaments in 1991 that he first met his wife-to-be. They got to know each other during the summer of 1992 when work sent him to Kitimat. Their friendship grew and so in 1993, he moved to Kitimat to start his life with her. In 1996, he attended the Canadian National Darts Championship as a member of the B.C. Men's Dart Team. They moved to Terrace in 1997 where Jerry lived out the rest of his life.
He is survived by his wife of 24 years, Jacqueline; his four children: Misty Swan (Don 2022), Stephen (Robyn), Nathan (Shayla) and Lauren (Aidyn); his grandchildren: Krysta, Ashley, Zachary, Shaun, Brian, Casey and Lilith; and his great-grandchildren: Zeke and Meeka. Jerry is remembered for his sense of humour and his ability to make everyone he meets feel welcome. He was a true gentleman.
His final message to his family and friends is, "Live long and prosper. I love you all." (Yes, he was a Star Trek fan). As Jerry did not care to have a service, his family and close friends held a private gathering in his honour.