Shaw, Gerald “Gerry” Bruce – It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gerald Bruce Shaw, “Gerry” as he is known to his friends and family. Gerry passed away in Dartmouth General Hospital early Tuesday morning, December 16, 2025, after a short battle with illness.
He was born in Drummondville, Quebec in 1942, to parents, Rose Viola and Cecil Henry Shaw.
He is predeceased by his younger sister, Sharon Anne in 2007 and older brother, Roderick Wallace in 2017.
Gerry was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, which he joined right after high school and where he met and married his wife, Grace. It was love at first sight. Grace said that she chased him until he caught her. He served for 27 years, three of which were spent in West Germany between the years of 1966 and 1969, accompanied by his wife and two small children. He spent the majority of his career living in such diverse places as CFS Mont Apica, Quebec, CFB St. Margaret’s, New Brunswick, CFS Yorkton, Saskatchewan and finally Halifax/Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Most of these postings were remote radar bases.
While working at the base Shearwater in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, he realized a long-time dream of building a home in Oyster Pond. In the space of 30 days, he managed to build a roof-tight structure, surprising his skeptical co-workers. The home was largely completed in March 1979, and they moved into their first owned home.
Gerry’s passions included learning music, once offering to play the drums for a band early in military career, having never played them before. He did so successfully and went on to attempt the saxophone but then moved on to the electric bass, the acoustic bass and acoustic guitar, eventually settling on to the bagpipes. He joined the Farquarson Pipe and Drum Corps and his wife, Grace joined also, taking up the drums to keep him company during parades and events. After his stint with the band, he returned to the guitar, teaching himself the finger-picking technique.
Gerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Grace (Vallis); and children, Jo-Ann Shaw, Michael Shaw; and his only grandchild, Mandy MacPherson (Josh); and her mother and very special friend to the family, Kris MacPherson.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Arimathea Funeral Cooperative, and he will eventually be interred in the Oyster Pond Baptist Cemetery. He was 83 years old.
Memorial donations may be made to Jeddore United Baptist Church.
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