GERARD BEGYN

Condolences & Memories (2 entries)

• Dad, you're dearly missed and loved but never forgotten. How could I ever forget the one who would spoil me rotten. There's not day that passes by when I won't think about you and the way you protected me and how you showed me you care - it is like no other. You're right, no man deserves me or could protect me like you did out there day to day. You took me to school. I want you to know I always looked up to you. Love you more and more each day. I hope to God you never will forget me. You're lil Dickens - the one that would run run away from home. Sorry I was stubborn or seemed like I didn't care. Truth is that it's lonely down here where I was left to be alone because Mom now has left me to be with you. On your bday is the day she let go. You met her halfway and reached out and only this time she reached and connected with her palm touching your hand. Love you daddy - Posted by: Crystal (Daughter) on: Jul 23, 2019

• My first memory of my Uncle Jerry was his laugh. Actually it was hearing him continuously call my brother a “rubby”. So it was that, and his laugh, that are my first memories of Jerry. His laugh was loud, original, and all consuming, as was his personality in those days, which would have been, if memory serves correctly, towards the mid to late 70’s. Those memories first started, I believe, when he lived on Louelda. And my memories of him continued from there to almost everywhere that he lived until his recent passing. And he lived in a lot of places, and I think everyone will agree that he partied in every one of them. That being said, I obviously wasn’t around to witness a large portion of Jerry’s early life. But what I do know is that like many people, Jerry had difficulties as a younger adult finding his place in society, and frequently had run-ins with the law. But this is not the Uncle Jerry that I knew. The Jerry that I knew was good-natured, caring, committed to his family, care-free and always ready to lighten the mood with his sense of humour. He was soft spoken, introspective, gentle, and a man of few words. That being said, he did have his extroverted side, liked to have a good time, sometimes too good, but even these times were always innocently undertaken by his honest quest of living a happy life and having a good time with those he cared about and loved. This extroverted side of him mellowed significantly as time went on, and he became more likely to go to bed at 10 pm instead of 10 am. Everyone in life has their role models or finds qualities in others of which to emulate. Of these qualities, one takes them, absorbs them, and they become a part of themselves. I think that many people saw in Jerry things in which they hoped to have in themselves. I’ve mentioned some of these attributes already, his easy-going nature, carefree attitude, infectious laughter and his contagious sense of humour. His ability to use wit and find the funny side to almost any situation to lighten the mood was admired by all who knew him, for they knew that when the times were tough, Jerry would try to make them seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Although overall Jerry and I came from very two different places, two different lifestyles and two different generations, we had a lot in common and I believe that it was these similarities that bonded us not only as blood relatives, but as friends. These common beliefs and values were not distinct between us, but included many of those that were and are common among a large proportion of society. This is what made Jerry such a likeable, respected, and admired person by those who knew him closely and what drew so many people to befriend him and want to spend time with him. I, like most people here, have many memories of the fun times spent with Jerry, although of course not as numerous and vivid as those closest to him, such as Olive and Crystal, but they all hold a special place in my heart. A few of my favourite memories of him include watching and playing cards with him at Grandma Schamp’s repeatedly through much of the 80’s, having BBQ’s with him at Kildonan Park, eating Olive’s homemade pizza at 4 am after a night of partying, playing dice and having a beer with him on Friday nights, having a beer with him on Saturday afternoons, and Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoons… Jerry was someone I could trust fully, who never wronged me, who always gave from the heart and never expected me to offer anything in return. Many times during my university years in the late 90’s I visited him and did nothing more than feel content to have a nap on his couch, only to awaken and find food and drink offered to me. We’d go outside to share a smoke and a few words, and come back in and feel like so much more was said than what our voices spoke. He cared for his family and one could hear his love for them in his voice whenever he spoke of them, be it Olive, Crystal, or any of his grandchildren, whom he stayed home caring for over the past few years. While Jerry was often misunderstood with regards to how he passed his time and where he set his priorities, caring for his grandchildren is something that Jerry cherished and took great pride in, and that he devoted himself to every day in and every day out the last few years of his life, caring for his family the best he could. Jerry was someone who made those around him laugh. He’d want us to celebrate his life, not mourn his death. I can hear him now saying “Don’t Cry”. He was a good husband, father, grandfather, a good son, brother and uncle, but most of all, Jerry was a good friend. He’ll be sorely missed. - Posted by: Brian K. Carriere (Nephew) on: Jul 04, 2014