Gerald "Gerry" Frank Schuster

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Gerry at the amazing age of 90. On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, after a short stay at the Brentwood Care Home, in Calgary, Alberta. Although Gerry was young at heart, old age finally caught up to him.

Gerry was born in Regina, Saskatchewan on May 7, 1934. He was predeceased by his parents Frank and Rose (Maierhoffer), brother Wayne, father and mother-in-law Henry and Sophie, brothers-in-law Tony, Lawrence, Leonard and Dennis and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Gerry was the oldest of five children, and the son of a one-room schoolteacher. At the time of his birth, his parents lived near Lipton at the Tifisisrael School. The family moved around southern Saskatchewan during his childhood, with their longest stay being Fenwood for seven years. Gerry finished high school in Aylesbury prior to the family moving to Regina. Gerry was a caring and loving brother to his siblings, whom he cherished. He was a supportive son and brother to his mother and family following the passing of his father from non-Hodgkins in 1965.

Gerry was an accomplished athlete, excelling in hockey and was successful in track and field, attending provincials three times, placing first in long and triple jump. He took up golf while living and working in Kindersley and also enjoyed fishing, swimming, and canoeing.

After high school, Gerry worked for a year doing carpentry jobs, before continuing his education at Campion College in Regina, taking first year Arts and Science. As times were tight, he worked another year before attending the University of Saskatchewan where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962. He received a Professional Engineer (PEng) designation thereafter.

Gerry worked at the Department of Mineral Resources for the better part of his career before joining SaskPower in 1981. In 1987, SaskPower reorganized and Gerry was expected to take an early retirement package with numerous other employees. Following this, Gerry started a consulting business (LIST Engineering) and late in his career became a dealer with Nelson Homes selling home packages.

To give back to the profession, Gerry volunteered with the Association of Professional Engineers of Saskatchewan for a number of years. In 2009 he received the Fellow of Engineers Canada (FEC) for service to the profession (Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan). He was very proud of his chosen career.

Gerry was active at Holy Rosary Cathedral, his home parish of over 60 years. Gerry and Joanne had a wonderful community in the church where they sang in the choir, sat on the parish council and volunteered in many capacities including planning social events, such as Hawaiian nights. Gerry coached sports in the community including hockey, hardball, and gymnastics. He was very involved with St. James school, where his children attended, building a stage and props for school plays, volunteering at school events and field trips.  Over the years, he attended countless school sporting events, band concerts, and award ceremonies.

Gerry had many interests. He loved music and dabbled in learning the saxophone and trumpet but finally chose the upright bass which was instrumental in meeting the love of his life, Joanne. In 1964, he played in a trio at a nursing event she was attending and the rest is history. He thought it helped that he had just purchased his 1964 Red Chevy Impala hardtop – he always said it had great pick up. Gerry and Joanne married in 1966, the year the Roughriders won their first Grey Cup. What a year that was! He enjoyed listening to and writing music, playing the ukulele, and singing. Gerry even had a song arranged for Joanne for her birthday one year. They enjoyed dancing, and spent many years attending ballroom and other dance events. They went to many Rider games over the years and saw them win another 3 Grey Cups. Go Riders!

Gerry’s greatest joy was his family. He spent many hours in the backyard, building the biggest snow slide, flooding the yard for a skating rink and maintaining an above ground pool for summer fun. The family camped, went on road trips, visited family and enjoyed sightseeing across western Canada and the United States. One of his greatest accomplishments was designing and building onto their family home. With Joanne by his side, from 1976 to 1980, they undertook a sizable renovation where they did 95% of the work. It was everything the family could have dreamed of. The Schuster’s door was always open. After 46 years in their Regina home, Gerry and Joanne moved to Calgary to be closer to family. We all are very thankful for that.

Gerry was a humble man. He had a great sense of humour and was known for his many “dad jokes” and word-play, was a storyteller (both truth and fiction), had a vivid imagination, and a curiosity about many things including science, inventions, time and space, and topics too numerous to mention.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Joanne, his three children Natalie (Cameron), Ron (Dottie), Rachel (Troy), and four grandchildren Angelica, Milo, Ruby and Charlie. Sisters Jeanette (John), Darlene (Harold), and Corry (Dave), brother-in-law Rod (Brenda), and sisters-in-law Jackie, Darlene (Alvin) and Marlene, as well as many relatives, nieces, nephews, and friends.

We are eternally grateful for Fr. Gabriel’s visit with Gerry and we wish to thank the kind and attentive staff at the Brentwood Care Home.

Gerry was a cancer and stroke survivor, and as leukemia touched the lives of his extended family, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Heart & Stroke Foundation or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

A celebration of life will be held at a future date.

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