It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, dad, brother and friend, Gary Somerfield, at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Gary George Somerfield was born November 11, 1957, in Bagotville Quebec. From an early time, Gary considered himself a Montreal Canadians fan partly because of his French beginnings but also the influences of an already avid Habs fan (his dad) in the house. He was the eldest of 4 children and 1 of over 50 cousins from both his mother’s and father’s families. Gary spent much of his early life moving throughout Canada as the son of Airforce parents. His places of home ventured from Quebec, New Brunswick, British Columbia and eventually to staying in Thunder Bay at the beginning of High School. Gary attended a variety of high schools in Thunder Bay and ultimately graduated from PACI in 1976. Following high school Gary attended Confederation College for a diploma in marketing and eventually followed his love of history to study at Lakehead University. He received his Bachelor of Education Degree in 1986 majoring in history with a minor in English. His career path of teaching took him to many high schools across the city, always trying to instill the same love of history that he had in his students. He made lifelong friends at many of the schools he taught at until his retirement in 2014. Until the time of his death, Gary worked at European Meats as the Receiver in the back of the shop. He loved this job and the people he worked with and met in day-to-day interactions. He felt blessed and was grateful to be a part of this business.
Family was everything to Gary. He met the love of his life Michelle, in October 1997. They fell head over heels quickly and were engaged by April of 1998 with a December wedding planned for the same year. The early part of their marriage saw the purchase of a small house, the addition of a cat and many trips. They took trips to Toronto, Winnipeg, Newfoundland, and Mexico. In 2006 they welcomed twins, Aidan and Peyton, who quickly became the apples of Gary’s eye. Gary’s patience was boundless when it came to his children. Never wanting to be too hard on them, he had a gentle side that would attempt to correct any wrong doings or inappropriate behaviours. Hours were spent playing with them in younger years downstairs in the basement creating museum replicas as well as building forts outside or even in the living room. In later years, Gary was always willing to play taxi driver whenever either one needed a ride and to any place they wanted to go. He enjoyed hearing each one talk of their days and would quietly smile at the different adventures they would have encountered. His family meant the world to him, and he would do anything to protect and provide for them.
Gary loved people. He enjoyed the many hockey evenings he hosted inclusive of food, beverages and banter should a Bruins or Leafs fan be in the company. He treasured his time on the links with golfing friends at a variety of courses throughout the city. He loved his church family where he served as a greeter, usher and snow shoveller worshiping the Lord God with all his heart who had redeemed and saved him from an eternal death. Gary’s final gift of love to people was being an organ donor through the Trillium Foundation/Organ donation chapter in Thunder Bay. Because of this gift, others continue to live and enjoy life. Many thanks to the many nurses, doctors and staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Intensive Care Unit. Your kindness and skills made a difficult time less painful.
Gary was predeceased by his father George (2011), mother Colleen (2012), and nephew Timothy Jewell (2005). He leaves to mourn his wife Michelle, son Aidan and daughter Peyton, brother Dan Somerfield, sister Wendy Gunn, sister Debbie (John) Mikkelson, and sister-in-law Jodi (Cory) Jewell. Nieces and nephews Colleen and Erik Mikkelson, Emilie and Seth Jewell, and Bailey Jewell (Ryan).
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Grace Church, 289 Court St. N., Thunder Bay, Ontario with a reception to follow in the Austin Stouffer Fellowship Hall downstairs. In lieu of flower, charitable memorial gifts may be made to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre ICU Ward, MEMO (Medical Equipment Modernization Opportunity), or a charity of your own choice.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
