Obituary of Gerald John Neville

Passed away peacefully at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay, Ontario on Thursday, April 29, 2021, Gerald John Neville, in his 75th year (born May 8, 1946), from Donovans, Newfoundland. Predeceased by his father, Richard Neville; mother, Violet Neville (nee Sweetapple); sister, Kathleen Neville; aunts, Edna Neville, Ellen Bisson (son, Daniel Bisson), and Kathleen (Donald) Doyle (son, Glenn Doyle); uncles, Robert Neville, Tom (Teen) Sweetapple, and Edgar Sweetapple; nephew, Neville Richard White; brothers-in-law, Fred (Lorna May) Gilson, John Gilson, Allan Gilson, and George Wilkes; sisters-in-law, Betty (Danny) Ramlochin, Donna (Gerry) Hagerman, Jackie (Bob) Frarar, and Vicki (Geithner) Neilson. Leaving to celebrate his life are his loving wife for 46 years Vivian Neville (nee Gilson); step-son Ken Proud; siblings, Tom (Elaine) Neville, Vince (Dorothy) Neville, Rick (Jessie) Neville, Frances (Ed) Hearn, Steve Neville, Florence Neville and Randy (Rose) Neville; sisters-in-law, Carol Wilkes, Cheryl (Rick) Sedore, and Jean (Bryan) Calligan; uncles, Hollis (Vera) Sweetapple, Don (Judy) Sweetapple, Doug (Lynda) Sweetapple, and Rupert (Carol) Sweetapple; aunt, Sylvia Sweetapple; cousins, Carol Ann (Basil) Della Valle, Ralph Doyle, Ross (Maureen) Doyle, Barbara Broom, Ray (Yvonne) Sweetapple, Donna (Chris) Collier, Bob (Rosalyn) Sweetapple, Diane Curren, Ed Sweetapple, Jim (Kathleen) Sweetapple, Neil (Val ) Sweetapple, Cindy (Peter) King, David Sweetapple, John (Dianne) Sweetapple, Steven (Heather) Sweetapple, Teena (Kerry) Reid, Brenda (Larry ) Knapp, Jeannette Holmden, Heather (Peter Herbert) Sweetapple, Neil (Bailey Brothers) Sweetapple, Mark (Jennifer) Sweetapple, Nancy (John Swiston) Sweetapple, Brian (Rebecca) Sweetapple, Julie (Jeff) Mitchell, and Pamela (Matthew Fitzpatrick) Sweetapple; nephews, Bob (Kelly) Neville, Jason (Carol MacDonald) Neville, Greg Hearn, Geoff Neville, Vincent (Kellie Power) Neville, Justin (Lesley) Neville-White, Richard (Nicole) Hearn, Adam (Chelsea Rideout) Neville, and Cameron Neville; nieces, Nancy (Geoff) Hickey, Cindy (Mark) Munroe, Krista (Gunnar Asgeirsson) Neville, Julia Neville-White, Jennifer (Keith) Fahey, Erika (Jonathan) Keel, and Heather (Mark Penney ) Neville; great nephews and great nieces, Autumn Neville, Liam Neville, Gabriel Neville, Nathanial Fischer, Selena Hickey, Aiden Hickey, Matthew Munroe, Shannon Munroe, Jenna Neville, Jake Neville, Mia Neville, Zoe Neville, Luke Fahey, Maria Fahey, Avery Hearn, Quinn Hearn, Andrew Rose, Jaxen Healey, Asgier Gunnarsson, Brendan Parsons, Lydia Keel, Hayley Neville-White, Kelsey Rose Neville-White, and Rosalie Neville; and many other family and special friends, especially Andy and Susan. Gerry loved his family and gave unselfishly whenever he could. Whether it was sending a special Halloween mask, buying a hockey stick or showing someone around, our big brother always seemed to come through. He loved to reminisce about growing up next door to his grandparents and uncle Bob, recalling fond memories of “the fun he had, filled with hijinks and tomfoolery, up on the hill and down on the pond,” with his brothers and friends. He would continue those fun loving ways throughout his life. In 1964 Gerry moved to Montreal with Aunt Edna. The next year he moved to Ontario, where he would stay and work over the next 52 years, eventually returning to live in Newfoundland with his mother during the last couple of years of her life. Shortly after her passing he returned to Ontario for his final two years. Gerry met the love of his life, Vivian (Judy), in 1972. They married in 1974 and spent a life together, filled with numerous trips to visit family and friends. Whether it was Donovans, Glovertown or Corner Brook in Newfoundland, Ottawa, Welland, Grimsby, Kitchener, Toronto, Penetanguishene or Burk Falls in Ontario, he relished being around his family. It was always a joy to see Gerry arrive as he and Judy seemed to always lighten up a room with their smiles. One can easily picture Gerry’s mischievous grin across the table during one of the many card games or visualize him giving his recollection of a story. Gerry loved to watch and play all sports and will always be remembered as “The Leader of the Pack”. His unconditional love, gamesmanship, competitiveness, sense of humor, sharp memory, and quick-witted responses will be forever admired and missed. “That’s a go, Gerry.” You get to rest in peace now. Gerry’s cremation has taken place. If you wish to express condolences, please visit the website of Thorne Funeral Home in Cannington, Ontario. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, you may make a donation to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada or the SPCA.