Obituary of Gerald Freeman Lohnes

Gerald Freeman Lohnes VE1GFL - Caledonia. It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Gerald Lohnes on Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at Queens General Hospital, Liverpool. Gerald was born in Bridgewater July 16, 1925. He was the second of 4 sons born to the late Harold "Freeman" and Hatti Gladys (Weagle) Lohnes. Gerald served in WWII in the navy and later in the Merchant Marines as a telegrapher. He later became employed with CN Railways as a Station Agent. While at French Village Station he met and married Ruby Mason, the love of his life, November 22, 1952. They moved to Yarmouth and then Caledonia with their growing family in 1958 and when CN started to pull up their tracks in N.S., he switched careers to become the manager of N.S. Liquor Commission in Caledonia in1969. Gerald was very active in his community. He introduced pasteurized milk to Caledonia in the late 1950's. He operated a "chip wagon" in the summers of the mid 1960's . He was instrumental in the formation of the North Queens Nursing Home and was the Administrator there for 35 years. He was a member of the Legion Branch 87 in which he held many positions and a member of Masonic Lodge 79. He took an active role in the North Queens Fire Association. He volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He was a HAM Radio operator and belonged to Lunenburg Country Amateur Radio Club and held positions in the Queens County Amateur Radio Club. He contributed daily to the Canadian Weather Net and gave of his time on the air teaching Morse Code to many HAM Radio operators. He was very involved with North Queens Heritage Society and was an amateur genealogist. He faithfully attended the various fundraiser breakfasts and farmers markets and often joked he never had to make a meal in the summer on Sat. mornings. He had a deep interest and love for music and taught his children how to play many instruments. He loved family get-togethers where everyone would play and sing and he would show off his expertise on his homemade "gut bucket". He was a respected and dedicated family man. Gerald will be greatly missed by his devoted and loving children; daughter Barbara (Ronald) Dowding Hubley; sons Robert (Marie), Tantallon, Peter (Nathalie) Halifax, Ralph (Karen) Caledonia, Greg (Carolyn) Hd. St. Margarets Bay. Also his beloved grandchildren; Kristopher (Elaine) Lohnes Halifax, Kevin (Sarah Crown) Lohnes Toronto, Natasha Dowding (Gavin Mills) Hillsburgh On, Jessica and Isaac Lohnes Caledonia, Zachary and Thom Lohnes Hd St. Margarets Bay, Zara Lohnes Halifax. He is survived by his brother Richard and sister in law Doreen San Diego Ca, sisters in law; Wendy Lohnes Hemford Forrest, Lillian Weldon and Muriel Mason Hd St Margarets Bay, Eileen Ecker Digby , Special cousin Doris Bartells and family Marshfield, Mass. and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife and soul mate Ruby (Mason) in 2007, brothers Avard, in infancy and Donald. Special thanks to Dr. Mogan and the staff at Queens General Hospital, Liverpool for the compassion and respect shown to Gerald and his family. No visitation, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Gerald's life will take place at Christ Anglican Church, Caledonia on Monday, May 31,2010 at 1PM Rev. Oliver Osmond officiating with internment at Highland Cemetery, Hibernia Road. Following the internment there will be a reception at the Legion Hall in Caledonia. Family flowers only, donations may be made to North Queens Heritage Society, North Queens Fire Association or charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.