In loving memory of Gerald Harry Gardiner who died peacefully at home on 18th July 2016.
Husband of the late Pauline, much loved partner to Christine, father to Julie and Andy, grandpa to Alicia and Isabella and brother to Malcolm. Gerry will be remembered for his unique Methodist sermons, his love of gardening, a dry wit, 10k and marathon running, teaching, his celebration of multi-faith communities and inspirational poetry.
Service of Celebration
12.30pm on Monday 8 August at Trinity Methodist Church, Harborough Rd, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4LA.
Both the cremation and Service of Celebration are open to all family, friends and colleagues.
No flowers, but donations if desired to Amnesty International at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gerrygardiner
Many, many thanks to everyone who has shared their memories here and kindly donated in memory of Gerry.
A total of £1376 (including Gift Aid) has been raised for Amnesty International www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gerrygardiner
Gerry would be immensely pleased with this and very grateful for your generosity.
What a really devastating piece of news to hear! Mr Gardiner was such a lovely man I knew him from when I was in my youngest years at Langmoor Primary school and from church. I remember the time I was asked to put a name forward of a person who had "selflessly served" my neighbourhood and there was absolutely no doubt in my mind about who I was going to choose. He has always been such a role model to me when he took me out to paint over graffiti or to pick up the dog poo that had been left. But my all time favourite memory was our yearly pumkin carving we did every year around Halloween I'd go to his house and we'd carve pumpkins! RIP: Gerald Harry Gardiner ?
That's a lovely photo. Thank you for sharing. Andy.
What a really devastating piece of news to hear! Mr Gardiner was such a lovely man I knew him from when I was in my youngest years at Langmoor Primary school and from church. I remember the time I was asked to put a name forward of a person who had "selflessly served" my neighbourhood and there was absolutely no doubt in my mind about who I was going to choose. He has always been such a role model to me when he took me out to paint over graffiti or to pick up the dog poo that had been left. But my all time favourite memory was our yearly pumkin carving we did every year around Halloween I'd go to his house and we'd carve pumpkins! RIP: Gerald Harry Gardiner ?
Firstly, my sincere condolences to Gerry's much-cherished partner Christine, and the rest of his family, whom I know he adored & enjoyed spending time with. (Gerry was always especially talking of his grand-daughters, who gave him so much joy...)
Gerry & I first met in 2004, through a community action group against ASB I founded---we fast became good friends, definitely "comrades" with much affection for each other as we had many shared areas of understanding (despite me being an atheist) and caring. The near-40 years of age between us never felt more than 15-20 years, as Gerry was so very young at heart.
The civic work we enjoyed together through the RALLY Community Action Group, and then with the Oadby & Wigston Pride of the Borough group, gives me many happy memories (...& his presence always made the meetings more enjoyable, as we'd sit together!).
I was incredibly grateful once my business moved from the RALLY area, that Gerry took over leadership---community litter picks of our local park continued at his behest, dog foulers challenged, anti-social behaviour strongly decreased, and funding for new park playground equipment was secured. As a result, in a few years, with the lack of ASB present, Gerry retired the group. We could both look back with pride at the results, achieved with many other members of the local community,which are still in effect today.
Along with the Pride of the Borough group, Gerry notably arranged wonderful displays of multi-faith "all ages" community celebrations (decidedly "wooing" the "in bloom" judges!), which did play a part in Oadby & Wigston obtaining "Gold" status in the East Midlands/Britain in Bloom contests.
With my business life requiring increasing amounts of my time--thus decreasing my time given as a volunteer--Gerry and I would meet for lunch regularly, so that we could continue to see each other and enjoy our friendship. He'd come to my offices in Oadby to pick me up--practically always with a miniature home-grown bouquet of flowers, charming whomever answered the door as well as me!
During these lunches, he always offered engaging conversation--but also the ears & heart of a real friend...when I had struggles at my business, I could confide in him, and he would do what he could to help---be that just listening, chatting through things, giving me the benefit of his life experience, or, on a few occasions, real valuable practical help. He was never one to shy away from debate or contentious subjects, and we seemed to have matching intuition at times. (I'm eternally grateful for Gerry's efforts in helping me obtain successful planning permission back in 2008/9 for a "change of use" for our business premises; notably, he prepared & gave 2 empassioned speeches to the council, as well as garnering much local support, on our behalf.)
Because of Gerry's generosity of heart, mind & body, we had a very special bond, and which I've for these past 12 years have treasured. Having only moved to the UK a few years prior to meeting, I can honestly say that having Gerry as a friend in Oadby really made it feel like a home for me.
Every time we saw each other, I always felt better for having been in his company--even if only for a few minutes.
Gerry displayed so much passion & vigour for life---it definitely increased, from what I could tell, when he met Christine. How wonderful that they met each other.
At short notice, 18 months ago, I invited to Gerry to be my witness at my UK Citizenship ceremony (when my husband couldn't make it); he leapt at the chance (re-arranged a few things), never having been a part of such a...spectacle...before. We were able to spend several hours catching up beforehand, and then experience the ceremony together. Soon after compatriots, we chuckled together at some of the ridiculousness of the proceedings. Ever the creative poet, a couple months later, he put through my door a homemade card celebrating our experience of the event, complete with the photos he took. In all honestly, it was Gerry that made the event memorable for me. (Since receipt, I have cherished the card---totally Gerry!)
I've been largely out of the country the past year, but we met in May...I've very grateful to have then finally met Christine and spent, what ended up being, the last of our time together.
Gerry was a wonderful friend to me, whom I loved very much, and will miss so very much. My sincere condolences to all of Gerry's loved ones. (Sadly, I'm unable to make the celebration of his life due to prior commitments in the U.S.A..)
His unique spirit lives on and the world has been a better place for having Gerry Gardiner in it...
Many thanks for sharing this Alex. I totally recognise dad in your stories of poetry, multi-faith celebration and community volunteering. I've messaged you off line with details of the 'web cam' for those unable to attend the cremation in person. Kind regard - Andy.
Such a lovely man. The Christmas band will never be the same without Gerald dusting off the trumpet. Rest well
Penny. Every year dad would say something like
I had the pleasure of knowing both Gerald and Pauline, since I was a little girl., in the fifties.Pauline was my music teacher at Launde primary school and Gerald and Pauline both attended the Methodist church in Oadby, as I did.As a lay preacher, Gerald was the only preacher that could keep our attention, when we
were young, his sermons were brilliant. I kept in touch over the years and saw him at various functions and supported him on his very first marathon, when was running near my house near Hinckley. I shall always have fond memories of him and Pauline also. My sympathy to his family and partner.
Hi Catherine. Do you remember the signing spaniel sermon? It's world famous! Dad loved his running. Despite being 30 years junior I never dared go running with him because I knew and he knew that he'd probably leave me panting in his wake. Kind regards - Andy.
Remembering Mr Gardiner as a lovely teacher from my school days in Loughborough. I moved to Oadby in 1978 and used to see him around! RIP. Linda
Thanks Linda. Dad spent most of his teaching career at Loughborough and it's good to hear he's fondly remembered from that time. Andy.
That is how I shall remember them both.Cath Greenwell
What a really devastating piece of news to hear! Mr Gardiner was such a lovely man I knew him from when I was in my youngest years at Langmoor Primary school and from church. I remember the time I was asked to put a name forward of a person who had "selflessly served" my neighbourhood and there was absolutely no doubt in my mind about who I was going to choose. He has always been such a role model to me when he took me out to paint over graffiti or to pick up the dog poo that had been left. But my all time favourite memory was our yearly pumkin carving we did every year around Halloween I'd go to his house and we'd carve pumpkins! RIP: Gerald Harry Gardiner ?
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