Gerald Finnerty

Gerald passed away at St. Paul’s Personal Care Home in the early hours of Tuesday, December 9, 2025

He was born in Swan River on the 18th of February 1954 to parents Ed and Enid Finnerty.

Gerald was predeceased by his parents, Edwin Thomas Finnerty and Enid Doris (Dobie), his older brother Terrence Edwin Finnerty, his older sister Adela Jeanne Bagshaw.

Gerald is survived by his sister Lee and husband Gary, his younger brother Wayne, nieces and nephews and lots of cousins. Particularly his cousin Rena who always got a smile! And a special aunt, Edna, who is 107 years old! Also remembered by Kim, his son Dean Clifford and wife Hannah, and 3 beautiful granddaughters, Eliza, Aine, and Saoirse of Clearwater, BC

As a little boy Gerald was always busy, full of pent up energy and running all day! He had a girlfriend who lived next door and they were inseparable until the family moved to The Pas.

Those were the years that the song “Bimbo” hit the airwaves and was so popular!! Gerald’s nickname for many years within the family and close friends was “Bimbo”!! He was quite happy to outgrow that name!

In grade three the Finnertys moved to The Pas and Gerald attended Kelsey, Opasquia, and

Mary Duncan and Margaret Barbour schools. In the 70’s a pulp mill came to The Pas and

Gerald quit school to go into the trucking business!

            Unfortunately in the fall of 1974 Gerald had a motor vehicle accident and life changed forever!

From then it was a series of moves to Winnipeg, back to The Pas, and then to join his mother in Prince Albert. Following many years of traumatic brain injury counselling, employment training, different jobs and many, many trials he and Mom moved to B.C. Life for Gerald was never easy and as his health continued to fail he spent more time needing care and finally was moved into a full care home in Salmon Arm! From Salmon Arm he moved to Flin Flon Personal Care Home in January of 2024 and in January of 2025 he came to St. Paul’s.

            While in care in Salmon Arm, for whatever reason; Gerald kept asking when he could come “home” to The Pas! So when an opening came up in Flin Flon Personal Care Home during a good prairie cold snap of about -45 with windchill, he was set up in a medical transport and driven right through to Flin Flon! We will forever be grateful to Chris Buckley of Interior Medical Transport in B.C. for not hesitating to make this trip!

            Gerald was often not an easy person to deal with and could be demanding and cranky when it suited his needs! And we are very thankful for the patience and care no matter where he was! At the same time he could be kind and caring for others as when he gave his motorized scooter to a lady in his complex who didn’t have money to buy one! Because he had an electric wheelchair and didn’t need the scooter anymore!! He truly was a mystery!! And so we say farewell to Gerald after almost 72 years! We have hundreds of stories about life after a traumatic brain injury, many would make you cry, many would make you laugh!!!

            With much love from your family!!! Say hi to Mom for us!!!

In keeping with Gerald's wishes, cremation will take place and no formal funeral service will be held.  A private family interment will be held in the summer of 2026 in Swan River, Manitoba.