Gerald Oswald Venier

Gerald Oswald Venier of Kanata passed away peacefully, with family by his side, on December 30, 2024, at the age of 91. Gerry was born on September 16, 1933, in Orillia and is predeceased by his parents Winnifred and Angelo and his sister Gloria (John) Ostrowski. He graduated from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering in 1956. After graduation, he moved to Ottawa to work as a research scientist at the Department of National Defence, where he spent his career working on radar and digital signal processing. During that time, he obtained his MSc at Carleton University in the Faculty of Engineering. 

He married Mary Chiarelli in 1958 (67 years) and moved to Kanata in 1965, when it was just a few small streets. Together, Mary and Gerry raised four children: Perry (Jocelyn), Bobby, Danny (Roxanne), and Lisa (Kim). They have 6 grandchildren (Benjamin (Heather), Bobby (Alexis), Carmen (Alex), Felix (Miranda), Milo, and Quinn) and 5 grand-dogs (Sasha, Mika, Mowgli, Mukwa, and Tui). 

Gerry was a born engineer who loved to build model airplanes and read books about relativity and black holes. He was also spiritual, and devoted time and energy to his Catholic faith, thinking and reading about the big questions in life. He volunteered as a palliative caregiver and as a reader at St. Isidore’s Church. 

Gerry was a life-long athlete. He and Mary met on the badminton court and made many friends on the tennis court. They played regularly, even into Gerry’s 85th year! He spent many weekends teaching his kids to ski in the Gatineau hills and coaching their softball teams. Gerry loved riding his bike and rode the Rideau Lakes Tour from Ottawa to Kingston and back for many years. 

Gerry’s life was well lived, and he was well loved. Thank you to his sister-in-law Randi Hansen, friend Carolyn Halley, and many caregivers, especially Christine Fitzgerald for spending quality time with Gerry in his final months. 

Friends and family may gather at St. Isidore Parish, 1135 March Road, Kanata, on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, after 10:00am. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00am, with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Dementia Society of Ottawa in Gerry's memory are appreciated by the family.

To attend Gerry's Memorial Service virtually, please register for the livestream below.