Gerald Albert Osborne was born at the Grace Hospital in St. John’s, Newfoundland. His father (Albert Walter Osborne) was from East Anglia, England, and was a United Church minister. His mother (Millicent Mae Osborne) was from Elliott’s Cove, Trinity Bay, Newfoundland. She was the church organist.
Even though Jerry was born a “townie” he was a Bay-boy at heart. Only girls in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, where they lived, spelled their name with a ‘G’. So, it’s Jerry, not Gerry.
They eventually made it to Lakefield, Ontario, where Jerry went to high school. After graduating from Queen’s University (B.A.) he took a job as a high school English teacher in Ottawa. In 1968 he started this teaching career at Champlain High School. There he met his first wife, Jean McLean Hunter, who taught in the next classroom, and Gail Nesrallah was in his grade 10 English class.
Jerry and Jean married and had two children: Larry and Sue. Jean Osborne passed away in 1981. Jerry was a wonderful grandfather to Tyler, Chelsea, Matthew, and Lindsay.
Jerry was an avid amateur radio operator (his callsign was VE3JCV) and a true lover of music. He spent countless hours in the basement playing his button accordion.
He re-met Gail Nesrallah and they were married in 1985. Jerry earned his Masters of English at Ottawa U. He was interested in painting, taking Polish lessons, gardening, travelling, and making Newfoundland ugly sticks. In 1995 Jerry retired after 32 years of teaching and he and Gail moved to Elliott’s Cove, NL. There he became V01G0 and spent time ‘talking’ to the world. Jerry and Gail both became Lions at the Random Lions Club in Elliott’s Cove. They both entertained the Lions and seniors, with Jerry on the accordion or harmonica and Gail on the guitar. They moved to Kemptville, Ontario, 6 years later, and then back to Newfoundland and then back to Kemptville.
Jerry passed away at the Dundas Manor in Winchester, Ontario, on July 26, 2023. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and was at Dundas Manor since February 8, 2023. He was much loved by the people at the Manor and, of course, his friends and family.
He was cremated and was buried in the family plot at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. His music and his humour will be very much missed.
Digital Guestbook
Gail Osborne
Ruth Barrie
Although I didn't know Jerry for long, I enjoyed both his music and his sense of humour. The delight that he took in serenading the boaters on the creek was only surpassed by the pleasure that they derived from hearing him. He was a lovely, gentle man and will be missed.
Rob and Sheila Danforth
Sincere condolences to the family. We have so many fond memories of Jerry as colleagues at Gloucester High School. We enjoyed hearing about his short wave radio experiences and his Newfoundland heritage.
Samir Khordoc
Farewell, Jerry! I remember you when we were at GHS back in the 70's and 80's and the conversations we had en français and the composers we like.
My profond sympathy to the family.
Love him always.