Gerald Wasstrom
OBITUARY: Gerald Wasstrom
Many interests enjoyed
Gerald Gunner Wasstrom was born on September 21, 1959 in Kamloops to Gloria and Gunnar Wasstrom.
His dad died in a car accident in October 1962 when Gerald was just three years old. At the age of four Gerald came to live with his aunt and uncle Ture and Shirley Wasstrom, where he became one more of their children and joined up with his new three brothers and four sisters. He went to school in Lac la Hache and then 100 Mile House.
From an early age we knew Gerald was going to be an avid collector when he started collecting rocks and Dodge model cars. Then it went out of control to more than 6,000 hats, many old toys and fish.
Gerald’s favourite winter activity was his GT runner that he had made for the brave of heart or the weak of mind. Actually it worked best if you had both. Sand skiing was just one more of Gerald’s adventures and this one made the big times when Gerald ended up on TV demonstrating his abilities.
Gerald joined the army in November of 1976 on a 60-day trial but found it was not to his liking. After the Army, he went to Edmonton to work in a glass factory.
From there he was off to Kelowna where he returned to his love of cooking with a job at Big White.
Gerald started cooking at a very young age. At one time or another all of his brothers and sisters got to try his early experiments in the kitchen. We all survived and that’s when we knew he was destined to become a chef. Gerald was always called upon at all family gatherings to prepare the food.
Barb and Gerald met in February of 1984 at the Keg in the Fraser Inn when Gerald came in singing the wrong song for the music that was playing.
That’s when Barb decided that she needed to get to know him. A year later they were married and then the fun began and lasted over 19 years. Everything that Gerald was involved in, Barb was at his side. Although maybe for some of their adventures, she was just a little bit behind him.
Over the years Barb and Gerald had many exotic dinners in their home for family and friends. Gerald has also done many private dinners and weddings.
Gerald’s hobbies were numerous and from a wide range including raising fish to woodworking, and rock wall building to mechanics. One of his latest ventures was trying to get the 2010 logo to put on some of his woodwork. Gerald was never afraid to venture out of his comfort zone to try new things. If you want to see some of his craftmanship, drive by the Drummond Lodge.
Gerald’s life ended suddenly while doing a job he really enjoyed and was very proud of at Pinnacle Pellet.
Gerald leaves to mourn his wife Barb, mother and father Shirley and Ture, birth mother Gloria Campbell, brothers Iver, David and Dean, sisters Verna (Wade, Lana (Lorne), Diane (Shane) and Shannon (Mark)
He also leaves, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins as well as other family and friends and Nugi.
Gerald was pre-deceased by his birth father Gunnar, his sister Janice and uncles Erik and Sune.