It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden but peaceful passing of Cal on Thursday, February 3, 2011, after 91 wonderful years. Cal was a loving and faithful husband of 60 years to Peg Richardson who predeceased him in 2008. He was a devoted and generous father to Gord and his wife Karen of Aurora, Jane and her husband Marv Miller of Elliot Lake. He adored and was very proud of his grandchildren Trevor and his wife Hallie, Meghan and her husband Jason, Tracy, Tyler, and Shelby. He was delighted to have a great-grandson, Max. Cal will be greatly missed by his sisters Laura and her husband Charles O’Toole, Jean and her husband the late Al Brown and predeceased by Cameron, Marion Lambert and Marjory Murphy. He was ‘Uncle Cal’ to many nieces and nephews. Cal was blessed to have many wonderful friends whose friendship he cherished. Cal has had an amazing, full life as a successful businessman, adventurous sportsman, devoted family man, caring friend and humanitarian. He is now at peace, cuddling with his beloved Peg. To celebrate Cal’s life, the family invite you to visit with them at the Egan Funeral Home Baxter & Giles Chapel, 273 Broadway, Orangeville (519-941-2630) Tuesday afternoon 2 – 4 and evening 7 – 9 o’clock. A memorial service will be held in Westminster United Church, 247 Broadway, Orangeville on Wednesday morning, February 9 at 11 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Headwaters Health Care Foundation, 100 Rolling Hills Drive, Orangeville L9W 4X9 or the charity of your choice. Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Norma & Cathryn
Our deepest condolences to the Kerr families. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The many fond memories will surely help ease the sadness in the coming days.
Tony and Colleen Kastrinos
Dear Trevor and Hallie:
We met your Grandfather a couple of times and on both occasions we could see the love he had for his family. We know how much you loved him and how you always looked forward to seeing him. Grandfathers are very precious, I know because I had two wonderful Grandpas. Please know that we are thinking of you both and it must be of some comfort to know that he knew and loved his great-grandson, Max.
Jo Anne and Dave Matheson
Jane, Marv, Meghan and Tyler: We are thinking as you celebrate the amazing life of your father and grandfather. What a wonderful tribute you have paid him in both the words of your obituary but also in the ways you have chosen to live your lives.
Bernie Ennis
For Jane Miller and Gordon Kerr: I was so very very sorry to hear of your father’s death. He was really one of a kind and I feel so fortunate to have been included in his host of friends. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the funeral as I will be away all that week having made arrangements some time ago. I will miss not being able to convey my condolences personally, but I do want you to know that I and all of Cal’s friends considered him to be a wonderful and genuine person and his family and friends will miss him. Bernie
Denis Savoie
Jane / Marv / Meghan / Tyler:
Your dad / grand dad was a very special man. I think my fondest memories of hm will be with him sitting on his tractor heading back to his garden or to the pond to check on the fish with a huge smile on his face and a battered old hat on his head. He loved you all with equal vigor and was as proud of you as you are of him. Nothing will replace the “old pot licker” but you can take solace in knowing he lived his life the way he wanted, he never shied away from a challenge, he was strong, faithful and honest. The best reflection of a man’s life is what he leaves behind and I think Cal is looking down on all of you now with a huge smile and saying to mom “They’ll be just fine without us, so lets go do something.”
Denis
Bill and Isabelle Ridd
Jane, Marv, Meghan and Tyler
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Those we love don’t go away
They walk beside us every day
Unseen, unheard, but always near
still loved, still missed and very dear.
Heather Foran & Dean Reinhardt
Although we cannot be at the service, rest assured, our thoughts are with you.
Mary & Allan Pleasance
Dear Gord & Jane,
We are so sorry to learn of your father’s passing.We have happy memories of living side by side on Greenoaks Drive.
Sincerely,
Mary & Allan Pleasance
Ted & Marylou Moore
Jane, Gordon & families, Marylou & I are so deeply saddened to hear of your dad’s death. Your mom & dad were both so much a part of my parents’ lives. I will forever cherish the fond memories of our Collingwood fun times. My first memories go back to about 1949 & an old Chev car with a fox tail on the antenna. He will be remembered as one of the finest people we ever knew. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
John Kaufmann
My deepest sympathies to the family of Cal Kerr.
I knew Cal for only a short time (2006) but was quickly impressed with how he could walk into a room of complete strangers and turn their focus to him. He had presence.
As an outdoorsman, family man, gardener or business person, there were few that were his peer.
A man’s man. He enriched the lives of all around him. I respected him. A unique person.
John Kaufmann,
Egan Lake Hunt Club
Joan Waites
Jane, Marv. / Gordon, Karen:-
I was saddened to hear to-day that Cal has passed away. My heart felt sympathy goes out to you and your families.
What an incredible life! Where does one begin to tell all the wonderful memories I have of your father / grandfather.
Cal had a gifted way of making you happy in his presence — a funny joke, stories about hunting and fishing, his travels and his fabulous vegetable garden of which he was so proud. He loved to have friends for dinner and wear one of the many personalized aprons that you made for him, Jane. He loved to play bridge; he was our tour guide on side trips when we traveled to International OSSGA Conventions. Such zest for life to the end and I will miss him.
I am sorry that I am unable to be with you at this sad time!
Joan Waites.
Maureen & Barry Johnston
Though we are unable to be with you at this sad time, please know that our thoughts are with you. We did not know your dad as well as we would have liked, however, whenever we were in his presence he always brought a smile to our faces. It might have been his latest string of hilarious jokes, or just watching with awe as he danced away the night at Meghan’s wedding..what a man!! He has left behind such a wonderful family who carry his ‘joie de vivre’ with them every day. With Love.
Carole & Dennis Prodan
If a life is to be celebrated, it is your father’s. He lived life to the fullest, loving his family and celebrating life. The friends he has made, many would envy. Losing him is painful, but he is now with Peg. We are thinking of you Jane, Marv, Meghan, Tyler and Jason. I envy the many, many great years you had with your father, father-in-law and grandpa. Take care of yourselves.
The Chisholms
We have many happy memories as next door neighbours on Greenoaks, including the party with all the barnyard animals and Cal’s annual delivery of sheep manure for the lawn which our lab, Gabby rolled in in the wee hours of the morning.
Tom & Tracy Hughes
We are so sorry for your loss. Cal was a welcome guest at the Greenwood Christmas parties for many years. He was the life of the party and never ran out of jokes! He will surely be missed.
Kolberg-Pioneer, Inc.
On behalf of Kolberg-Pioneer, we offer our deep condolences to the family of Cal. In his honor, a memorial donation will be made to Headwaters Health Care Foundation.
Roy Young
We would like to express or deepest sympathies and offer our condolences to Cal’s family and his many friends for their loss.
Debby Vry
Roy Young
Janice & Dale Kurt
Dear Gord & Jane and families.
Our sincerest sympathy is with all of you. Your parents were terrific people and we have wonderful memories with you when we were all kids and with your parents & ours. The Watson family always enjoyed time with the Kerr/Caldwell relatives. Your Dad was always fun. My husband Dale always remembered Cal as he had a nickname for Dale – “liverwurst” because Dale works for Pillers Meats. I am sure your parents and mine (Gladys & Clarence Watson) are having a rousing game of cards in Heaven and cheering us all on. These memories will bring all of you comfort for many years. With love, Jan & Dale Kurt
Cathi Moore
I was very sorry to learn of Cal’s passing. He and my granfather, George Moore, always enjoyed “having a pull” and shooting the breeze like the two “old potlickers” they were. Cal and Peggy were with my grandpa the night before he passed away and I know my father felt great relief knowing that grandpa had his last dinner with such cherished friends. Cal touched many lives in his 91 years and we are all richer for it. He will be missed.
Dennis and Nancy Litt
Dear Jane and Gordon and families .So sorry to hear of Uncle Cals passing. We are unable to attend his memorial service as we are vacationing in Destin Florida for 2 months.Your Dad was a very special man, loving husband, friend, father & grandpa…… Love Nancy & Dennis Litt.
Debbie Lapierre
Dear Jane, Marv, Meghan and Tyler,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your father and grandfather. He was always so kind and welcoming, and he always had a twinkle in his eye. It is obvious that everyone adored him. he will be missed. You are lucky to have had the wonderful parents that you had. You have been blessed.
Debbie, Barry, John and family
Jacques & Karen Ribout
Jane, Marv, Meghan, and Tyler: Amazing Cal, has moved on. Take time, enjoy the good stories and the great memories of the man you called Dad and Grandpa. I am just remembering Cal tracking Tyler down behind the stage in Brantford (while Tyler was dancing), to see if he was staying overnight with his Grandparents. It warms my heart to think of that, and I am having a good chuckle remembering Cal. Much love, from the Ribout Household.
Brandy, Eric, Ryan and Chloe Andrews
Our condolences are with the Kerr family at this time. We never had the privilege of meeting Cal but in knowing the Kerr family, he had to have been an extraordinary man! Let the good memories keep you strong duing this time and always! All our love! XOXOXO!
Cheryl (Riddle) Finn and Family
Prayers, thoughts and love are with you at this difficult time. We are all thinking of you and hope you find strength in memories, friends and family. Love you all dearly.
Cindy and Mike Britton-Foster
Okay that video thing is amazing and touching. What a way to walk through your Dad’s life. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family today as you go through the ceremony. You know your Dad will be winking from on high.
Julia, Mark, Caily and Cooper Robinson
Our thoughts are with you today. We’re sorry to miss hearing all the stories we know, and those we haven’t yet heard, about your amazing Dad. I know he’ll be listening in on all the reminiscing, with a smile on his face.
Lots of love,
Julie, Mark, Caily and Cooper
Jeff MacDonald
Dear Gord, Jane and family,
All of us at Amaco Equipment and Pioneer were so very sorry to hear of the passing of your Father. Our deepest sympathies go out to you.
He was a tremendous source of energy in the Ontario Road Building and Aggregate Industry, and I owe a lot of my business education to him.
He was a great mentor and friend to me and my family.
I shall miss him, and I will have a few “pulls” in his honour.
Blair McArthur
Dear Jane and Gordon
I am so sad to hear of Cal’s passing. He was a fantastic friend to our family. Cal’s passing ends an era that I doubt will ever be replaced – a man who loved his wife Peg and family and was proud to tell everyone, a man who loved the outdoors and the opportunity to tell a story or two with his friends while enjoying a “pull”, a man who made everyone else around them feel better about themselves as he easily recounted story after story and joke after joke and a man who cared for his friends and his family – always putting them before himself. When God brought Cal into our world – he certainly broke the mold – there will never be another one like him. God bless him and I am fortunate to have been able to call him my friend.
Sincerely Blair McArthur
Cynthia Sneath
Dear Meghan
We were very sad to hear of the passing of your grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Please pass our condolences on to your entire family.
The staff of Mackenzie Glen Public School
Jack and Liz Ellison
To Cal’s Family:
Jack and I first met Cal through Ted Proctor back in the early seventies when Ted was flying his fishing buddies up to his camp on Sand Lake in Quebec. For thirty plus years Ted, Jack, Bernie and Cal enjoyed fishing together from Ted’s camp where Cal took over the kitchen and turned out many great meals based around the trout they caught. Cal never threw many fish back in the lake as he said it was wasteful if you could eat them. Jack also enjoyed many happy hunts with Cal for geese and for pheasant on Griffith Island. We will always remember him. Liz & Jack
Dave & Brenda Keenan
Gord, Karen / Jane, Marv & families
What a wonderful life your Dad has experienced. A life that was chocked full of wonderful adventures, friends and a loving family. He is now re-united with your Mom, and we are sure they are smiling at this gathering of family and extended family otherwise known as friends in celebration. That is just how your Dad would have it, open the door and invite everyone because he loved people.
I remember your Dad being the outgoing salesman. I have come to realize what he really was, was the ultimate salesman on LIFE. He has sold us on how we should all enjoy life on this earth.
You have sold us Cal!
With love and great thanks,
Dave & Brenda Keenan
Frank and Maria Urbancic
On behalf of Maria and Frank Urbancic, our most sincere condolences. We have lost a long time friend and a good neighbour.
Ivan and Juli Petrasthuk
We are saddened and shocked by the unexpected passing of Cal Kerr. Our condolences to his family.
Don and Janet Caldwell
Gordon and Jane:
It has been many years and if my memory serves me the last time we met was at Harry Caldwell’s farm. You probably don’t remember as you were both very young. Janet and I have enjoyed visits and parties with your mother and dad on a few ocassions but they were too few. Too busy is a poor excuse not to have visited more. Cal was the best master of cerimonies. His jokes I remember the most. He will be greatly missed. The photos are excellent and remind us what we all will miss.
Don and Janet
Ryan Martin
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Kerr family at this time. Cal will missed and remembered on every hunt.
George Baker
Being a member of the APAO/OSSGA since 1977 … I had many occasions to see and hear Cal speak at conventions. Cal was a “true icon” of the industry, successful, a truly funny guy, well loved by customers and seemed very happy all the time.
I often tell folks….this was the guy who taught us the phrase “potlickers” as he joyfully addressed the members of the aggregrate producers at the conventions.
Cal was a character……God bless Cal and his family.
Sincerely, George Baker
Niven Greenhalf
What a great man. So much fun and love in his life. I am fortunate to have known him.
Max Lazo
My deepest condolences to you and your family….from the stories you told me, he was a great soul and wonderful man who raised wonderful children…..one whom I call my friend.