George 'Gerry' Unger

In loving memory of Gerry (George Gerhardt) Unger who went to his eternal rest on January 15, 2024, in Smithers, BC.  Born to Abram and Lydia (Friesen) Unger on August 5,1937 in Vineland Station, Ontario. He was the fifth of nine children.  He married the love of his life Deanna Kathleen Rempel on September 1, 1961.  They had 2 daughters, Dawn Renee Kathleen, and Heather Dee Noel. 
Gerry grew up in the Niagara, Ontario area. His education began in a one room schoolhouse, then on to Eden Christian College for high school and McMaster University where he received his BA. 
His teaching career took him and his family to various towns in Ontario; Chesterville, Terrace Bay, Harrow, and Wawa.  In 1975 the family moved to Three Hills, Alberta where he spent the next 25 years teaching high school and doing Stewardship at Prairie Bible College. 
Over his years of teaching he coached many sports teams, directed dramas, took his Outdoor Education students into the wilds of northern Ontario and canoeing on Lake Superior. He held the positions of vice principal, registrar, and class advisor. He co-authored several Scientific Agricultural textbooks for secondary students, sat on various committees for the Ontario Teachers Federation, committees relating to church work and more. His 36 years of teaching high school biology and other subjects had a lasting impact on students and faculty. Gerry loved the outdoors, knew how to work hard and was a positive and encouraging person. 

In 2001 Gerry and Dea retired and moved to Smithers, BC. 
His last 20 years were marked by Parkinson’s Disease, but Gerry was always brave and trying to make life brighter for those around him. 
Even though Gerry gave of himself to all the above accomplishments, he would say that his greatest joy came from his love of his Saviour and then from his family. He was a man that will be remembered by his strong example of Christian faith, his kindness, his quick sense of humour and that twinkle in his eye. 

Gerry and Dea enjoyed 62 years of marriage. Many vacations to visit family and friends took them from Ontario across to British Columbia, and the western states of Idaho, California, and Washington. Staying connected to family was especially important to Gerry. 
Gerry is survived by his loving wife Dea, daughters Dawn Kinsey, Heather (Chuck) Braun; grandchildren Sonya Kinsey; Gary (Demetra) Kinsey and children Owen and Elias; Natasha (Carl) Landra and child Judah;  James (Amy) Kinsey and children November and Colt; Sarah (Scott) White; Nathan Braun (Chantel Gauthier); siblings Abe (Penny) Unger, Margaret (Doug) Hicks, Agatha (Ed) Friesen, Sam (Bev) Unger, John (Annie) Unger as well as brother in law Rudy Janzen;  numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 
Gerry was predeceased by his parents Abram and Lydia Unger, siblings William Unger, Lydia Bartel, Olga Janzen; nieces Lorraine Hicks, Elaine (Unger) Balfour; nephews David Janzen, Ted Janzen. 
We thank all the staff at both the Health Centre in Houston, BC and the Bulkley Lodge for the fine care they gave Gerry his last 6 months and also his doctors J. Flynn and K. Niethammer. 
A Celebration of his Life will be held on Saturday April 27, 2024, at 2:00 PM at the Smithers Evangelical Free Church.

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