Jerry passed away peacefully June 18, after a long struggle with lung cancer.
He was born in Melville, Saskatchewan, the fourth of six brothers born to Joseph Wilfred Lemire and Marie Louise Lemire (née Roi). Brothers Wilfred, Laurier, George, Armand and Roland all predeceased him.
Jerry served in the Canadian Forces during World War II as a stoker on HCMS Guysborough. After being discharged, he returned to Prince Rupert, BC, where he had been briefly stationed during the War, and married Zilla Sherman.
He took a barbering course in Vancouver and upon its completion, opened a shop and beauty parlour on 3rd Avenue in Prince Rupert. A basement room in this shop contained a pool table and well stocked bar - many colourful tales from this period have been lost with Jerry’s passing.
He was a dedicated Legion member in Prince Rupert for many years, and a tireless volunteer in the community.
In 1967, he organized a group to help celebrate Canada’s Centennial by prefabricating a two-storey cabin and flying it by helicopter to Khatata Lake across the Skeena River. He received a commendation from the Government for this effort.
After Jerry’s marriage to Zilla ended with divorce, he met Pamela Batey who was working as a nurse near Prince Rupert and they were married in 1959.
In 1970, Jerry visited Quesnel, fell in love with a house and property on the Fraser River and moved his family from Prince Rupert to Quesnel where he also continued his barbering career by opening a shop in the Billy Barker Hotel.
His dedication to the Legion also came with him to his newly adopted community. He served as Branch 94 manager for many years and was an active participant and organizer for many, Legion-sponsored community events. His love for the Legion was continued with avid interest until his passing.
He was a dedicated golfer taking up the sport in his early days in Prince Rupert where the nearest course was in Smithers, a drive along 150 miles of dirt road. Though not a perfect golfer, he was competitive. His most cherished memory being a hole-in-one made at 76 years old on a Quesnel course.
After separation from his wife Pamela, Jerry remarried Zilla and they remained together until her death in April of 2000.
Jerry is survived by his three sons Laird, Simon and Guy, and by his second wife Pamela. He will be missed and lovingly remembered for his exuberance, cheerful energy and above all, his unstinting dedication to the Legion and his comrades.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehab Shelter, PO Box 26, Prince Rupert, B.C. V8J 3P4.
A service and tea will be held in the Legion Hall on Monday, July 10 at 2:00 p.m.