GEERAERT, Dale Anthony

GEERAERT, Dale Anthony

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of Dale Anthony Geeraert on November 24, 2016 after a short and very courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Dale is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 26 years, Lorrie, and their dearly loved son Matthew. Dale was predeceased by his firstborn Nicholas Anthony in 1992, his father-in-law Ray in 1998, mother-in-law Mary Ellen in 2007 and his beloved father Peter in 2014. Dale is also survived by his mother Marie, siblings Gerald (Dorothy), John (Arlene), Rosalie, Edmund (Kathy), Doug (Cheryl) and Frances (Ken). In laws Bonny (Garry), Kevin (Yvonne), and Beverly (Dan), 24 nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Dale was born August 30, 1957 and grew up on the family farm near Rockyford where he continued to farm with his brother Gerald and recent addition nephew Chris until health no longer permitted. He loved to hear updates from the farm in phone calls and texts as the cancer consumed his body. Dale was a devoted husband to Lorrie and father to Matthew. He loved going camping, visiting and sharing a meal with family and friends. Dale loved his woodworking making beautiful deacon benches, curio cabinets, etc. for their home, silent auction items as well as gifts. Since marrying Lorrie, Dale grew a passion to travel to visit her family in Ontario yearly and most recently exploring new places in the sun and ocean as time permitted. Everyone who knew Dale, knew him to be a fair, patient, kind and generous man. He believed in the Church and community, actively giving of himself as a member of the Rockyford Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, St. Rita’s Parish Council and St. Rita’s Cemetery Board. Dale will be dearly missed by all. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice in memory of Dale Anthony Geeraert. A prayer service with a viewing to follow will be held on Sunday, November 27, 2016 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church, Rockyford, Alberta at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 28, 2016 at St. Rita’s Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Cremation to follow.
“Farewell My Friends” by Gitanjali Ghei (1961 – 1977)
It was beautiful as long as it lasted, the journey of my life, I have no regrets whatsoever, save the pain I’ll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care, and the heavy with sleep ever moist eyes, the smile in spite of a lump in the throat and the strings pulling at the heart and soul,
The strong arms that held me up when my own strength let me down, each morsel that I was fed with was full of love.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends, friends who stood by me, even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell my friends, I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears, for I need them not, all I need is your smile, If you feel sad, do think of me, for that’s what I’ll like, when you live in the hearts of those you love, remember then . . .you never die.
To send condolences, please visit Dale’s obituary at www.wheatlandfuneralhome.ca