Gerald (Gerry) Watkins

It is with great sadness that the family of Gerald Watkins announce the passing of our very special Dad/Pa on September 17th, 2025, at Neepawa Country Meadows Care Home, with family by his side.

Pa’s family felt very blessed to be able to help him celebrate his 90th birthday in July.

Gerald (Gerry) was born July 29, 1935, at Summerford, Newfoundland, where he also grew up and received his education.

After several years of working at various jobs in Newfoundland and Ontario, Gerald spent eleven years working for Ontario Hydro as a crane operator.

Gerald was united in marriage to Eva (nee Teed) of Lower Onslow, Nova Scotia at Lower Onslow, on July 27, 1963. Gerald and Eva welcomed three daughters into their lives, Deborah, Cindy and Joanne.

After living in Ontario for a number of years, the family moved to The Pas in 1973 where Gerald retired as a wood scaler from Repap Manitoba in 1995. During his time in The Pas Gerald enjoyed golf, curling and watching sports and he participated in the Terry Fox run.

In the summer of 2002  Gerald

and Eva moved to Newdale where Eva lived until her passing in March 2011 and Gerald until he moved to Neepawa Country Meadows Care Home in July 2024. Gerald was a very good caregiver and helped Eva during her health struggles up until her passing.

In 2004 Gerald was blessed with the knowledge that he had an extra addition to his family tree when he welcomed his son, Danny, and his family, into our family.

Gerald reconnected with a friend, Phyllis Noel from Newfoundland and she moved to Newdale in 2018. They provided wonderful companionship for each other. At Phyllis’ funeral, her nephew commented that he had never seen her smile so often in pictures from her time in Manitoba.

Gerald enjoyed taking part in family events and his grandchildren’s activities. He often went to the Newdale Drop-In Center’s card games, playing crib and 500. He loved going for walks around town, especially when he had his dog, Buddy. He has enjoyed the company of his many pets over the years. At the care home, he enjoyed playing bingo, curling, bowling, and listening to musical entertainment.

Gerald was predeceased by his wife Eva Watkins; parents Andrew and Rosalie Watkins; sister Gladys (Robert) King; sister Pearl (Clayton) Baker; Mabel (Raymond) Boone; brother Lewis Watkins, brother-in-law John Byrne, Newfoundland; parents-in-law Willard and Lucy Teed; sister-in-law Barbara Clarke (Darrell); nephew Douglas Clarke, all from Nova Scotia; and Phyllis Noel, Newfoundland.

Gerald is survived by his son Danny Keats, daughter-in-law Joy Keats, granddaughter Kristie (Cory) Hurley, great-granddaughters Danielle and Lauren Hurley; grandson Kenneth (Nadine) Keats, great-grandson Lucas Keats, Newfoundland; daughter Deborah Calvert, Newdale, MB, granddaughter Kaila Calvert, Shoal Lake, MB, grandson Andrew (Tashia) Calvert, great-granddaughter Nevaeh Calvert, Brandon, MB; daughter Cindy (Shannon) Dalke, granddaughter Melanie Dalke, grandson Tyler Dalke, Newdale, MB; and daughter Joanne Watkins, Brandon, MB, grandson Keegan Watkins-McIntyre, Marwayne, AB.

Gerald is also survived by his sister Mary Byrne; sister-in-law Ruth Watkins; brothers Hayward (Vera), Clayton (Madeline), Newfoundland, Ross (Christine), Ontario; brother-in-law Douglas (Marie) Teed, Ontario; sister-in-law Jennie Marshall, Alberta; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His voice is but a whisper

Yet his words ring strong and true

He loves his family dearly

He’s our father through and through.

He’s led our family forever

Has shown strength in times of need

He’s starting to get tired

Now we must take the lead

It’s going to be okay Dad

You’ve given us the strength to carry on.

We will continue to honor and cherish you

To us you will never be gone.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald (Gerry) Watkins, please visit our floral store.