This edition of Ross’s Ramblings takes a very unique look at a very unique life. Please bear with me as I try to capture the essence of one of the very unique heroes of old Niagara-on-the-Lake.
This week, we came together at Morgan’s to say farewell to Gerry Whittaker, one of my favourite Niagara-on-the-Lake friends. A great Chautauqua neighbourhood leader, a great friend and confidante on town issues, and a great role model to the children on the streets and in Ryerson Park.
Gerry Whittaker got so much done, always working collaboratively, and his family told me at Morgan Funeral Home he never got angry. And, he never self-promoted.
Throughout his long and interesting life, he managed to accomplish much in various fields, in various parts of North America. He would do his research and preparation, and then work strategically and as a team to get the fairest result.
What an interesting life, including being drafted into the U.S. Army to work on the Panama Canal near the end of the Second World War. Eventually, Gerry spent several decades working for our town, ending his career as NOTL’s first Fire Chief. Always a class act, and he had style. Old Town was well served.
It was a quiet March afternoon as we came together to say our farewells to Gerry and his late wife of 54 years, the former Aline Giselle Poirier from Joliette, Quebec. A good cross-section of Niagara-on-the-Lake joined to pay respects to our former fire chief.
Gerry was born and raised in Canada, then lived in the U.S. and other points of the globe.
While living here on Prideaux Street and then Circle Street, he kept watch as our town underwent the inevitable development. Allow me one quick aside. I drove, ran or rode past his house literally hundreds of times. Perhaps thousands of times. Never once was there litter on the lawn.
And if the garage door was up while he was working around the house, be certain it was as tidy and clean as the local fire hall. I learned from one of his daughters that many firefighters, both professional and volunteer, keep persnickety clean and organized residential garages.
My main contact with Gerry Whittaker was when we Chautauquans worked with the Town of NOTL to finally get the Ryerson Park shoreline stabilized. He was very involved in this expensive project, and he made it clear to us newbies that it would be to our advantage to work in concert with the town staff.
He knew the key people at our town hall, and he helped us to get this major work done in a relatively short time frame. On time, on budget, and the result has been a jewel for countless people to enjoy.
After his wife Aline passed away, Gerry was an almost daily presence sitting in Ryerson Park late in the morning. He enjoyed the changing climate, and looking out at passing ships.
Local people and visitors to our beautiful area were all welcome to chat with Gerrry. He was sincerely interested in people, and living proof of the expression, “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Each of the children of Chautauqua knew that “Mr. Whittaker, the fire chief” was watching. He didn’t have to say much, just a knowing glance.
And how about the dog walkers? Need I say more about how Gerry Whittaker helped to enforce the town bylaws?
I am certainly rambling this week, but please join me in saying goodbye to a kind, humble, effective and friendly Chautauqua neighbour. Gerry Whittaker was from another era. Unfailingly kind, humble, highly accomplished in many fields, and a great lover of our Niagara-on-the-Lake.
As our popular town wends its way with uncertainty into the future, let us remember our forefathers like Gerry Whittaker.
He spent a long time here in Niagara-on-the-Lake. He would surely ask us to be kind to each and every one we meet.
Yes, God bless Aline and Gerry, and my condolences to the Whittaker family.
