A private graveside service will be held in Montreal on Monday for Standardbred owner and deal-maker Gerry Bloch, who died in his sleep on Friday, Sept. 18 at age 78.

"Gerry lived for harness racing. He knew everybody,​​" said Rick Karper, longtime director of the Quebec horsemen's association.

Active for many years in the retail clothing business, Bloch owned racehorses for more than four decades, most notably pacer Mark Johnathan, who almost pulled off a major upset in the $1-million North America Cup at Greenwood in 1990, losing by a nose to Apaches Fame.

He later became an agent and scout, orchestrating private horse sales for clients throughout North America.

One of the biggest deals he initiated involved pacer Lis Mara, who changed hands for $245,000 as a four-year-old and went on to win the Canadian Pacing Derby, Breeders Crown, and more than $2 million.

"I'll tell you, it's more stressful spending other people's money than your own. You don't want to be wrong," he told the Montreal Gazette in a 2007 interview.

Gerry Bloch is survived by his wife of 51 years, Doreen, and children Mark and Bonnie.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Gerry Bloch.

(A Trot Insider Exclusive by Paul Delean)