Gerald Charles Andrew Toth, beloved husband of Joyce Toth, Kipling, Sask., died on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at the age of 63 years. The funeral service was held in Christ Lutheran Church, Kipling, Sask., on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Doug Miner officiating. Cremation with interment in Edenland Cemetery. The urn bearers were Colleen & Colin Toth.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents Charles and Margaret (Daku) Toth and an infant brother Gerald. He is survived by his loving wife Joyce; daughter Colleen, Regina, Sask.; his son Colin (Cassandra) Toth, St. Thomas, Ont.; his grandchildren: Raymond, Colton and Finn; two sisters Sandra (Gary) Hanson, Airdrie, Alta. and Darlene (Ian) Morrison, Calgary, Alta.; one brother Wayne (Heidi) Toth, Sundre Alta. as well as his aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Michael Rey of Tubman Cremation and Funeral Services.

Loving Tribute to Gerry
By Joyce Toth

As I look out on all your beautiful, concerned faces I am overwhelmed. Thank you for being here.

Gerry and I were married for 42 years, 3 months and 10 days. During these years there were times when we almost lost him, but you know, he always fought his way back. It was at these times that I felt, within my heart, that I needed to talk about our journey together, so I’ll try to accomplish this loving tribute to Gerry.

Gerry had so many physical challenges. It was at an early age he began his suffering from Ankylosing Spondylitis, a debilitating spinal arthritis - then a relentless progression of ailments began, resulting in surgeries and many difficult tests.

Even so, Gerry was a man of many different occupations. He helped on the family farm; worked in an autobody shop in Ontario; at a dairy farm in Kipling; at the Gardner Dam; and at Schlamps Garage in Grenfell. He drove school bus; worked at C.C.I.L.; sold used cars, then studied electronics. It was in electronics that he chose his career and started a business here in Kipling. He worked very hard to establish Toth’s Radio & T.V., which has been in business for about 41 years. People called him “TV Toth”. Many times he worked way into the night hours - but I don’t think it was always working because he and his buddies used to pull hilarious practical jokes on each other. I know they had a lot of fun, but sometimes innocent and vulnerable people, like myself, became victims of their shenanigans!

Gerry enjoyed country music, tractor pulls, flashlights, rodeos, CB radios, motorbikes, computers and loooooong coffee breaks at the pool hall, giving people nicknames, telling jokes and lovingly tugging a nephew’s ear.

Gerry enjoyed talking to the young people who came by the shop. He was always interested about what was going on in their lives. The ones who were interested, he taught them electronics. These were very special people in both our lives and we called them “Gerry’s Boys”. He was so proud to be your friend.

Camping and fishing were some of the outings we enjoyed as a family, and we have always reminisced about these wonderful times - we usually enjoyed our trips to the lakes in Saskatchewan. On our trips he’d amuse us by making up stories about how towns may have gotten their names - some were very funny or just plain silly. We went to B.C. to camp with his family too. What wonderful memories we have of these times.

Gerry flew model airplanes and found it to be a challenging hobby, but one he enjoyed very much. It was during this time that he became what I called him “a master gluer”, because after each flying session there always seemed to be hours of fixing and gluing - but he didn’t care, he’d just get it ready for the next flight.

Gerry loved and respected nature. He enjoyed hunting deer and game birds. He had so many hunting buddies and he just loved hunting with them. He took a taxidermy course one summer in Calgary and found he had a talent and passion for this. He enjoyed it so much and was very sad when he had to give it up.

I think when he started bow hunting he discovered his real love for nature. He had his camouflage gear; all washed separately in scent free soap, and he would carefully camouflage his face. Colleen and Colin would tease him and tell him that he had just disappeared, where did he go? They couldn’t see him! It was a hilarious time. He would go and scout out a good place to hide, and call in a deer. Sometimes, he told me, he could call in so close he could look right into its eyes. He was just thrilled with these experiences, but oh, too, too soon he wasn’t strong enough to pull his bow. That was a devastating day for both of us.

The things he loved most dearly were our children: Colleen, Colin and Cassandra, and our grandchildren, Raymond, Colton and Finn. He was so, so proud of you. Our siblings, so loved, were our rocks and shoulders to lean on. He was always interested in his nieces’ and nephews’ lives too. We are also blessed to have loving uncles, aunts and cousins, a loving and caring church family who helped to hold us up, along with a community that really cared about us. His caregivers at the hospital and Home Care, all who took such good care of him each time, and tried to help him to feel better - bless you all.

So many people prayed for Gerry and I, and we are so very grateful to all of you. Gerry often felt that God had abandoned him because of all his pain and suffering, and he would ask, “Where are you God?” I believe that God was always with Gerry, giving him the strength to endure his disabilities, and still manage to do some of the things he loved. He was an example of faith, strength and determination.

I believe in the power of prayer. Gerry passed away sleeping peacefully and pain free. For the first time in 30 years he had no pain.

I found this little verse that he had on our dresser mirror.

You give me hope and I can face another day. All it takes is love and faith…and the courage to believe. You give my hope.

Rest peacefully in the arms of the Saviour my best friend and mighty hunter.