In his 92nd year, Gerry, the self-styled Farm Boy, passed away peacefully at his home in Guelph, Ontario on Friday, June 19, 2020.
Born in Wards Creek, New Brunswick on April 26, 1929, Gerry was an academic, a family man, and an avid fisherman, who’s contributions to the fields of Poultry Science and Fish Genetics continue to be influential.
Hard work was held in high esteem by the Farm Boy, and Gerry worked diligently his entire life. A guiding verse from scripture for him was James 2:14, “what good is it my brothers and sisters, if you say that you have faith but do not have works?”. As detailed in his autobiography, Farm Boy Horizons, Gerry worked many jobs in his formative years, prior to becoming a professor at the University of Guelph from 1963-1985, followed by the role of Chief Scientist at the Atlantic Salmon Federation from 1985-1995.
Among his many philanthropic acts, Gerry will be remembered for his work with Trinity United Church in Guelph, where he is a current member, Wesley United Church in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, where he was an active member for nearly 30 years, with the Seafarers Mission in the same community, Chalmers United Church in Guelph where he served as Church Elder and was active in Mission and Service, and for the Gerry Friars Undergraduate Research Awards at Macdonald College and Dalhousie University – Truro Campus (NSAC).
He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of 65 years, Dorothy (née Dann), his daughter Karen Hanlon (Jamie), son Doug (Deanna), son Jim (Aisling), grandchildren Rosalie Hanlon (Joseph), Lisa Friars-Blit (Joël), Jeana Conalas (Syoma), Kurt Friars (Olia), Dara Friars, Aoife Friars, Róisín Friars, and great-grandchildren Austin and Lincoln Onorati, and Theodore Blit, and step-great-grandchildren Alexandra and Nicolas Blit. Gerry will be lovingly remembered by his sisters Vivian Brannen (John) and Jean Harris, his in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks go out to Dr. Will Ruddock and the nurses and staff of The Ellington and The Nottingham for their wonderful care of Gerry and Dorothy over the past several years. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, a private family service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Guelph. A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held at a time to be announced at a later date. Arrangements entrusted to WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 519-822-0051.
Memorial contributions to the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy will be greatly appreciated by his family.
A tree will be planted in memory of Gerald (Gerry) Friars in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum.