DAVIDSON, Jerry

Jerry Davidson (Patrick Gerald Davidson) passed away on March 5, 2024 at Avenir Memory Care in Nanaimo. Jerry was born on May 24, 1935 in Regina, Saskatchewan to Terence (Pat) and Florence Davidson. Jerry is predeceased by his beloved wife Shirley (Bowie) and his much adored, older brother Ken.

Inspired by his father’s military service in WWI and WWII, and his brother Ken’s naval service in WWII, Jerry left high school to join the Royal Canadian Air Force where he earned his wings at age eighteen.

In 1956, while stationed at CFB Baden–Soellingen, Germany, Jerry married his childhood sweetheart Shirley whom he’d known since they were fifteen. During their air force years, Jerry and Shirley had two children, Scott and Kelly; as a family, they moved across Canada several times, eventually settling in Richmond, BC.

In 1967, Jerry left the RCAF to fly with Canadian Airlines. Also serving as a photographer for the Canadian Forces’ iconic Snowbirds, Jerry once calculated that he’d spent two years of his life above the Earth. A passionate photographer and darkroom devotee, Jerry shot a diverse range of subjects including ballet dancers, prairies, and airplanes. He wrote several magazine articles and authored a book on darkroom techniques.

In 1987, Jerry and Shirley built their dream retirement home on Salt Spring Island. A talented, lifelong and prolific artist, Jerry retired in 1990 to spend more time with Shirley, pursue his art and photography, enjoy time with his Eggheads companions, and play golf with his PGA buddies. Known for his sharp wit and genuine care for others, Jerry enjoyed many deep and abiding friendships.

After grieving the passing of Shirley in 2002, a new friendship, and soon a romance, emerged with Susan (Biddlecombe) who would later become his wife. They shared much joy and many adventures in their eighteen years together. Jerry said that God had blessed him and surprised him with two parallel lives.

Jerry loved his family and treasured any and all visits together: walking at Fernwood or up Mt. Belcher, Christmas gatherings, coffee houses, time together in each other’s homes. A deeply moral and upright man, Jerry loved his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and is with Him now.

Jerry is survived by his children, Scott (Kelly Stauffer) and Kelly (Richard Gilker), his darling wife, Susan, and many friends, more than we could mention here. You know who you are, and Jerry loved you deeply.

The family would like to thank Sandi and staff at Heritage Place, for making him feel so treasured and at home, and the staff at Avenir who knew him for only a short time but treated him with great compassion and tenderness until the end.

A Celebration of Life for Jerry will be held on Friday, April 19th, 1:00–3:00 pm, at the Royal Canadian Legion on Salt Spring Island.

In loving memory of our father and husband, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation to the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, a charity close to Jerry’s heart.