Obituary of Gerald Blackburn

BLACKBURN, Gerald James "Babe or Little Fella" – 61, Lower Prospect. It is with great sadness that we the family announce that Gerald has been taken into God's Kingdom on May 28th with his loving son Gerry by his side. Born in Halifax, he was a son of the late Harold and Theresa (Norris) Blackburn. Gerald was a fisherman all of his life, and enjoyed this with his two son's Gerry and Jody. He was an active member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish, in beautiful Terence Bay. His joy was painting, as well as deer hunting and trout fishing with his good friend Frank. Gerald was a member of a band by the name “Old Country Pioneers”, with his very good friends Joe and Olive Riley, Eugene Slaunwhite and the late Reg Knight. Many people would consider Gerald to be a staple of the community. His smile always lit up the room and people who had the pleasure of meeting him would remember him for it. He is survived by his loving wife, Marion (Getson) Blackburn, Lower Prospect; son Jody (Tresa) Blackburn, Lower Prospect; daughter Lorraine (Kevin) Tough, West Pennent; grandson Christopher (Roseann) Tough; granddaughters Hannah Tough and Abigail Blackburn; brothers Terry (Peggy) Blackburn, Lower Prospect; William "Bookie" (Elsie) Blackburn, PEI; sisters Marguerite (Gary) Purcell, Williamswood; Madeline (Bernie) Ryan, Lower Prospect and Marion (Roddie) Humphrey, Lower Prospect; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and very close friends. Gerald passed away with his son, son Gerry Blackburn, and was predeceased by brother Joseph Harold "Mannie" Blackburn. Arrangements are under the direction of J. Albert Walker Funeral Home (2005) Ltd. 149 Herring Cove Road, Spryfield (477-5601), where visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 11 AM with Father Gerald David as celebrant and Father Darek Misiolek as concelebrant. Interment will take place in Star of the Sea Cemetery, followed by a reception in the Terence bay Fire Hall. Donations in Gerald’s memory may be made to Halifax Search and Rescue,116 Lakeview Road, Lakeview, NS B4C 4C7 or Our Lady Star of the Sea Cemetery Fund. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.walkerfh.com. The family would like to thank Dave Alder and East Coast Outfitters for all of the time they volunteered helping the search and rescue team and also for their support. Also and thank you to the RCMP Divers, Coast Guard, Walkers Funeral Home and especially the communities of Lower Prospect and Terence Bay and surrounding areas. A great big thank you to all of the fishermen and the locals who helped out in the search and helped out in the days after. As the old saying goes....”live by the water....die by the water” We know this is how Gerald wanted to enter the Kingdom of heaven.