Gerry Gaynor Passes

Longtime harness racing industry participant Gerald (Gerry) Gaynor of Goderich, Ont. passed away on April 29, 2021 at the age of 59.

With shattered hearts and his girls by his side at home, his family announces that Gerry lost his courageous, 13-year battle with multiple brain tumours.

Survived by his wife, best friend, and soulmate of almost 40 years, Michelle (nee Boyce) and his daughter, Tiffany Gaynor, who he was so fiercely proud of. He never missed an opportunity to brag to anyone who would listen about his daughter, the Veterinarian. Gerry will be sadly missed by his father, Leon Gaynor (Sandra) of Goderich, and brothers, Mark (Peggy) of Walkerton, Larry (Michele) of Goderich, and Randy of Benmiller. Predeceased by his mother, Thelma, who Gerry missed every single day for the past twenty-five years, who now welcomes him into Heaven with open arms, brothers Melvin and Mathew, and nephew, Dane. Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Gerry was loved and will be missed by father and mother-in-law, Ken and Evelyn Boyce, of Goderich. Gerry is also survived by his retired Standardbred mares, Jetset Incredibabe and Jetset Tiffany.

Gerry was a participant in the Standardbred harness racing community for 50 years, starting out cleaning stalls at the Goderich Racetrack as a young boy and eventually becoming an owner, trainer and driver. Gerry was also a long-time employee at the Goderich Salt Mine. He was also a passionate Detroit Red Wings fan. Gerry will be remembered and missed by his good friends Bob and Marie Daer, Kevin Campbell and Dianne Foster, and Burt Newman.

Special thanks to the South West Lynn homecare services for providing your excellent healthcare providers in order to allow Gerry to remain at home as was his wish, in particular, Debbie Robertson. You are an amazing person who provided excellent and compassionate care to Gerry these past five weeks and allowed him to retain his dignity. We could not have fulfilled his wish without you. Special thanks also to Dagny Kane-Haas for your amazing physiotherapy with Gerry over the past years, keeping him strong and giving him the strength to continue to look after his family. You treated him with respect and compassion and we are honoured to call you our friend. Dr. Mark Duckworth, thank you for your home visits. I thought those were a thing of the past, until you. Kimberley Buttineau, what a special friend and neighbour you are, delivering us home cooked meals so that we didnt have to take time away from caring for Gerry in order to cook and for being here for us these past couple of days, taking care of things we just couldnt face. Goodbye, Gerry, we love you so much and dont know how we will carry on without you. You were an amazing husband and father. Rest in peace, Babe. You were the best.

Due to COVID restrictions, the family will meet for a private family graveside service held at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery. Donations to the Ontario Standardbred Adoption Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy in Gerry's memory and may be arranged through McCallum & Palla Funeral Home, 519-524-7345. Friends may sign the book of condolences at mccallumpalla.ca.

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