A good man is hard to find. But not so in the case of Gerry (Jed) Law. He would phone often, checking up on you, inviting himself to coffee, sharing a drink, helping you renovate your basement, driving you somewhere, visiting you in the hospital, offering free advice, offering a shoulder to cry on. Gerry was always there.

Gerry was born in Manchester, he and a brother raised by his grandmother (his mother had died of TB when he was five). It was hard times in England in the ’30s, but Gerry’s independence and competitiveness were born in those council-house streets, striving to keep up with his pals, trying to be the best. He tells us that he never lacked for anything, but one senses that he always made the most of everything.

He also claims he was never very good at school, and one heard him lament, “I’m such a dumb bastard,” but it wasn’t true. He had an acute intelligence, very quick to size up a situation, and he had endless curiosity. What was big about Jed is that he invariably tried to understand people, he was always ready to consider a new viewpoint, and he was perpetually willing to share with anyone whatever was good.

He was lucky quite young, to have met Irene, the love of his life. Lucky also that she loved him, and that she kept him. She was an extraordinary woman; calm where Gerry was ebullient, graceful when Gerry was raw energy.

They were married in 1950 and immigrated to Canada together in 1953. From that moment on Gerry was a committed and proud Canadian. Irene began work in Toronto as a secretary and ended her career as a highly-respected corporate executive, and innovator. Gerry came as a journeyman carpenter, and was hired on a crew building homes for Edmund Peachey Limited. He became construction supervisor, helping to complete the original Valhalla Inn.

It is part of their story that they were not able to have children. But they lived full lives, had true friends who enjoyed their company, and in the process Gerry and Irene were blessed with the love of many children. Of the many people who mourn Gerry today are the children of the Lemieux family, the Peachey family, their children and many others. Such close bonds are the currency of lives well spent.

Many of Gerry’s mates were sports buddies. He was a consummate sportsman, good at almost any game he played: bowling, pool, ping-pong, and later, golf. In Manchester he had been made head boy in his school due to his skill and his leadership. As a youth he had a career in the semi-pro football league, his greatest glory playing and scoring goals at the Old Trafford stadium, in the Manchester United Junior team, (even though Jed’s favourite was always Manchester City). In later life he was a long-time member of Markland Wood golf course and he loved to tell the story of hitting the longest drive ever recorded at the Lakeview golf course.

In an amazing chapter for a working-class bruv, Jed became part-owner of a thoroughbred filly ‘Colleen.’ He religiously followed her training, a devotion which turned to ecstasy at her many victories at the track. He was immensely proud to join her in the winning circle with all the toffs.

His world view was simple, if you ever complained to him about world events he would issue his sage comment, ‘It’s not the world that’s bad, it’s only some people that make it so.’ And to remember Jed is to think of the finest attributes that we can aspire to: among them, selflessness, gratitude, and generosity.

The fact is, Gerry loved people; he was a very social person who had numerous good friends and a multitude of acquaintances. He was a real charmer, he could light up a room when he entered it, seeming to always have a kind word for everyone.

Gerry will be missed by many loving friends, but his stories, and stories about him, will be told again and again.