It is with profound sadness that our family announces the sudden passing of our family patriarch, Gerald (Gerry) William Buchanan, age 78. He passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of October 12, 2021, at his home on beautiful Manitou Lake in River Valley, Ontario. Gerry was born in Thessalon, Ontario on March 15, 1943. His career at INCO spanned over 30 years until his retirement as a Safety Foreman at Copper Cliff South Mine in 1994. Gerry had a genuine passion for the outdoors and loved wildlife. He was truly a one-of-a-kind character as anyone who knew him can attest to. Gerry had a gruff exterior but the heart of a teddy bear. His razor-sharp wit and amazing sense of humour was always appreciated. People loved to listen to his storytelling and were never disappointed. Gerry never lost that sense of humour, even through difficult times with his health. He cherished each and every one of his Manitou Lake friends and neighbours who all held a special place in his heart. He loved his grandsons Taylor and Logan very deeply. Gerry never missed an opportunity to catch up with them on their education and career paths. He was an extremely proud Papa. Gerry is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 58 years, Ruth Ann and his children Paula Jewell (Mark) and Shane, his grandchildren Taylor and Logan, and his faithful feline companion Magnum (Mag). In keeping with his wishes, there will be no funeral or visitation. Cremation has taken place. Donations made directly to the Heart and Stroke foundation, or the West Nipissing Food Bank in Gerry’s memory are welcomed in lieu of flowers.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Ruth Ann and her family. We had only known Gerry for a few short years but he made it feel forever. It was always so nice to have Gerry and Ruth Ann stop by and converse on occasion. Gerry was my dump buddy and he certainly will be missed. He welcomed us with open arms when we moved here and he became a true friend. He will always be in our hearts
Big hugs
Fred and Linda Smith
October 22, 2021
I’m very sorry to hear the passing of Mr Buchanan. He was a big influence in my life growing up being the father of my best friend Shane. For all the trouble and mischief we had gotten ourselves into, Gerry always had a gentle understanding after a sharp rebuke. He will be missed tremendously and I will have great memories to cherish.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted; he saves the contrite in spirit.”
Best regards.
October 20, 2021
Rest In Peace Old Friend!! When Aunt Ruth Ann and Uncle Gerry got married 58 years ago I was invited to be part of the Wedding ceremony. I was an Usher. I was 16 years old and absolutely so honoured to be part of their big day. Gerry (Jake) had a ’64 Ford Galaxy 500. He was my idol instantly. Over the years we grew to be good friends. We fished together, laughed together, and our families visited and we were all friends as well as being relatives. When Gerry and Ruth Anne bought on Lake Manitou we visited but lives got too busy and visits became less but the love has and will always be there. Love you Ruth Anne, Shane and Paula. Our hearts are with you all. Brad and Carol-Anne ❤️
October 20, 2021
Sincere condolences Ruth Ann, Shane and Paula with the sudden passing of you husband and father (Gerry). We are deeply saddened to hear of Gerry’s passing, Gerry and Ruth Ann were fixtures at their residence on Lake Manitou for as long as we can remember. For so many years Gerry represented the 805 user and waste management group in meetings with the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of the Environment so that we all could enjoy a winter plowed road and a responsible waste management site where we could dispose of our local waste. Thanks Gerry.
We will miss your afternoon drive past our place, catching up at the dump, the light in the window when driving by on a late winter night and sitting on the back porch as we drove out on Sunday.
Rest any way you please Gerry you have earned it.
Brendan & Jodi Hatton
October 19, 2021
My deepest sympathies to Shane, Ruth-Ann and Paula. Very saddened to hear of Gerry’s passing. Your dad was a great man, no nonsense and very kind. Always appreciated being invited to the Camp on Manitou whether it was for hunting, fishing or just to enjoy the wilderness. Your dad will be greatly missed. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Oldtime friend Ken
October 18, 2021
Please accept our deepest condolences for the Buchanan family. Big sadness in the loss of a very good friend Mayor (Gerry). Manitou Lake hunting camp will not be enjoyable any more without the Mayor. RIP We will miss you
October 18, 2021
My condolences to Ruth Ann and the Buchanan family.
October 18, 2021
Dear Aunt Ruth Ann, Paula, and Shane, I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Gerry. He was a favorite uncle to all of us. Such a wonderful sense of humour. I so enjoyed a few visits with him and, you, Aunt Ruth Ann at Mom’s during some of Mom’s later years. They were definitely special visits that I felt fortunate to be a part of. I also remember, when I was young, how Uncle Gerry was quite the fisherman and often brought Mom some of his catches that we all enjoyed. Mom especially loved that. It always put a smile on her face.
RIP Uncle Gerry ♥ My warmest and sincere condolences to all of you.
Love Becky and Adrian
October 18, 2021
Our Sincere Condolences to Ruth Ann and Family. I was shocked by the Passing of Gerry, my Friend. The very first time I met him we were Friends. Always looked forward to spending time with Gerry and Ruth Ann. A true Gentleman he was. Always greeted ya with A Firm hand shake. Then he would ask how your family was doing. That would turn into a good hour or 2, bragging on our Children and Grandchildren. He will surely be missed. But we have Hope that I will see him on the other side. He was like a Brother to me. We have had book full of conversations, from fishing, hunting, building roads, cutting timber, and splitting firewood all around the fire pit. I have been known to tell some big Stories, he would laugh and smile and tell me a big story. I will miss the all of the phone calls and time spent with him and Ruth Ann. He was the best chef when it came to cooking Sausages. The Hospitality they would have, made you feel right at home. I will cherish these Memories through out my Life. I had the Privilege to meet his son Shane. Fine hardworking young man. Paula looking forward to meeting you sometime. He was very Proud of his Family. My prayers are for the this Beautiful Family. Cherish those Precious Memories. LOVE y’all
Richard & Wanda Burton
October 18, 2021
Many years ago on my very trip to Canada to go fishing, I met Gerry, and I feel fortunate to have spent time with him on every return trip to Manitou. As I read of his passing, my mind drifts to starry nights, a crackling fire, wonderful stories, but most importantly, the spirit of friendship. My sincerest condolences to the family, and when I return to Manitou, I will raise a dram in Gerry’s honor. ☘️Slainte☘️
October 18, 2021
Dear Ruth Ann and Family, Please accept our sincerest condolences on the passing of Gerry. He surely was one of a kind. Glad we had a chance to catch up with you both a few weeks ago at the Canadian Tire parking lot. It was good to see the both of you. 805 will never be the same. R.I.P. Friend. Take care, Larry and Lessli Masales and Family.
October 17, 2021
Dear Ruth Ann and Family,
It is with our deepest sympathy to hear of your loss. Jerry was a good friend and a wonderful neighbor for many years at Manitoulin Lake. He was always there to help and be a friend. I have very fond memories of listening to his funny stories around the bonfire.
He will be missed.
Markus Herburger & Family.
October 16, 2021
To Aunt Ruth Ann and Shane and Paula and families.
I am sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. He was much loved in our family even though we didn’t see him much. He was always laughing. I remember him giving me a tour of the Nickel mine, that was so nice.
Rip Uncle Gerry.
Cathy and Gaston Lamoureux
October 16, 2021
On behalf of myself and the Triple X Hunting Club I would like to send our deepest sympathy to Ruth Ann, Paula, Simon and rest of his Family & Friends.
We always made it a point to stop in & see him when were up there Moose Hunting. If he knew we were coming he would put our Triple X Hat on that we gave him at one of our wing Dings.
Always looked forward to his phone calls to chat about the good times & our aches & pains …lol.
A Great Man will be dearly missed by many. May he R.I.P.
Our Best Regards
Fred Price Vice President {Triple X Hunting Club}
October 16, 2021
Dear Mrs. Buchanan, Shane, Paula and family. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all. Mr. Buchanan was a great man. I’m sure him and my Dad Gilles are fishing and having a cold one in heaven. Both of you will never be forgotten and always in our hearts.
Jean-Guy, Lise and Manon.💗
October 16, 2021
My condolences to the Buchanan family, Gerry will always be remembered as he was a good man and will be truly missed.
October 16, 2021
My sincere condolences to your family Paula. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I heard a lot of great stories from You how a wonderful dad and grandfather he was. His memories will still be alive and he will always be with you.
Big hugs . Xo
October 16, 2021
Dear Ruth Anne and family. Our deepest condolences on your loss. Jean-Guy and I always enjoyed listening to Gerry’s stories. Jean-Guy and Gerry have known each other a long time and would chat about the old days up at Manitou as well as Inco. I will miss seeing you guys going by, stopping and chatting or checking on the chickens. Gerry used to park his truck on the side of the road and give them a cob or two of corn. He said the corn was old but I think he bought it for them! Loved his stories of growing up with his Mum’s garden and poultry. We will miss you very much Gerry!
Karen & Jean-Guy
October 16, 2021
We were so saddened to hear of Gerry’s passing. He had the greatest smile and was always so friendly, he will be missed at Manitou Lake. Sending love and hugs to Ruth Ann and family.
Marnie & Al Sauve
October 16, 2021
My condolences to Buchanan family, I’ll always remember Gerry he was such a good man and he will truly missed.
October 16, 2021
Dear Ruth Ann and Buchanan Family,
Please accept our deepest condolences. Gerry was a good man who brought smiles with his deep laugh. He will be missed around Manitou.
October 16, 2021
We were so sad to hear of Gerry’s passing. He was quite the character for sure. My father in law would speak of him often and all good things. He will be missed as one of the regulars at Manitou Lake Lodge.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
October 16, 2021
Our deepest sympathies go out to Ruth Ann and the rest of the family. Gerry was a good man and friend. We shared a lot of happy times and always lots of laughter. He will be missed up here at Manitou.
October 16, 2021
Dear Aunt Ruth Ann, We are so very sorry to hear of Uncle Gerry’s passing. You and Uncle Gerry were the perfect couple. I remember when visiting Grandma and you both would show up looking like a couple of movie stars. I remember well Gerry’s awesome sense of humour. Heartfelt condolences to you, Paula and Shane. May your beautiful memories sustain you through this very difficult time. R.I.P. Uncle Gerry. Love to you all. ❤️🙏❤️🙏 Jennifer
October 15, 2021
Dear Aunt Ruth Ann, Shane, Paula, Mark, Taylor and Logan
We are so heartbroken for all of you. Years pass by and we don’t see one another, and of course, there is regret, but we do all have memories. I always remember that Uncle Gerry made Ruth Ann laugh, and he was always bigger than life, telling us stories and making us laugh. I love reading what other family and friends wrote and seeing what Tom Lambert wrote makes us realize that we missed something pretty special up at Lake Manitou.
Sending Love and Prayers to All of You
Connie, Bill, Jason and Torrie xo
October 15, 2021
We are very saddened by the news of the passing of our dear uncle Gerry. Our sincere, heartfelt condolences go out to most loved aunt Ruth Ann, and cousins Paula & Shane. We have so many cherished memories of the times spent with all of you back in the day. I can still hear uncle Gerry “time to go now Oggie.” (his pet name for aunt Ruth Ann). The days go by, then years, and somehow we all get busy with life, we don’t see each other for a long time but when we do we can just pick up where we left off, because we are and always will be family. We love you uncle Gerry, aunt Ruth Ann, Paula & Shane. RIP uncle Gerry, prayers, and many blessings to all.
Love Janet, Cleve & Trish
October 15, 2021
My heartfelt condolences to Aunt Ruth Ann, Paula & Family, Shane.
Uncle Gerry was always my favourite Uncle growing up. My dad would always take me to Thessalon when ever he knew that Uncle Gerry was coming to visit Gramma Lil. I will never forget the time I spent as a kid fishing with Uncle Gerry at Manitou Lake. Rest in piece Uncle may your line always be tight and your hooks sharp.
Love Always
Dwight & Debbie Buchanan, Edmonton Alberta.
October 15, 2021
Dearest Ruth Ann and Paula and Shane and all of your families,
We are so sorry to learn of Gerry’s passing. We have many fond memories of his fine sense of humour and remember some of the nicknames he had for RuthAnn that still makes me smile.
I wish we could have had more visits over the years but do treasure the ones we did have.
Love you All and am sending our deepest sympathy to you All
Love from Us
Pam and George xoxo
October 15, 2021
My sincere condolences go out to the Buchanan Family.
To my very good friend Gerry Buchanan
As an Indigenous person along my journeys I learn the Seven Grandfather Teachings. As I look back at the times Gerry and I spent together I can see these teachings in him. He may not have known as we shared stories that he was passing on his teachings and knowledge. He truly represented these teachings. He was a true friend.
Gerry may not have been an Indigenous person, I still looked up to him with respect for who he was. He was a gentle “Great Spirit Bear” “Gichi – Manidoo-g Mukwa”.
Follow me down the path, I will walk beside you, guiding and showing the way, I will not leave you, I will be standing on the path watching you, If you feel alone, Close your eyes you will see 6 sets of foot prints, two belonging to you, four to me. Then you will know I have not left you.
I want to take this time to say to my very good friend Gichi – Manidoo-g Mukwa, you will always be in my heart and my thoughts, you will surely be missed! May your spirit rest in peace! Until we meet again as we cross paths in our journeys in the spirit world, “Until Later” “Baamaapii”
Your very good friend always Tomahawk
October 15, 2021