Joseph Ernest Gerald (Gerry) Wattier lived a life defined by curiosity, adventure, and devotion to those he loved. He died peacefully in Victoria, BC, on December 14, 2025, at the age of 90.
Born October 25, 1935, in Quebec, Gerry was a dedicated family man with a strong sense of duty to provide for his wife and children. A lifelong learner with an engineer’s creative mind, he was gifted at finding novel and practical solutions to real-world problems—a talent that served him throughout his successful career, during which he rose to the rank of President at his last corporate position in London, Ontario. Before retiring, he and his wife Sylvia also owned and operated a thriving UPS Store franchise in Victoria, BC.
An avid amateur photographer and filmmaker with excellent computer skills, he documented family milestones in beautifully edited films he shared with us all.
But Gerry’s true passion was adventure. He embraced an active lifestyle that began in childhood and never really stopped—riding bikes, downhill skiing, camping, golfing, sailing—always drawn to the freedom of being outdoors. And always including his family when he could.
His greatest adventure came after retirement, when he commissioned a beautiful 36-foot Beneteau sailboat named Satori, built to his specifications in France. Gerry and Sylvia lived aboard and sailed the Mediterranean for several months, on and off, ending in Gibraltar. Their son Dan joined them on the Alicante-to-Gibraltar leg for two weeks, then, preparing for the journey of a lifetime, Gerry outfitted Satori for a longer ocean crossing. Along with two new crew members, he sailed in the famous Atlantic Rally for Cruisers from Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, to Rodney Bay, St. Lucia in the Caribbean.
On December 14, 2001—exactly 24 years before his death—Gerry and his crew crossed the finish line after an inspiring 19-day passage across the Atlantic. The Satori adventure concluded with several weeks of sailing from St. Lucia to St. Vincent and the Grenadines with Sylvia, and a special week over Christmas with their daughter Linda and her husband John.
Gerry remained remarkably active well into his 80s, still riding his bike on Victoria’s Galloping Goose Trail, golfing, and downhill skiing in his 86th year.
His legacy lives on in the family he valued, the adventures he inspired, and the example he set of living life with courage, creativity, and commitment.
Gerry was predeceased by his parents, Robertine and Reginald, and his sister Suzanne. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Sylvia Drummond Wattier; their children Linda (husband John), Steve (wife Julie), Julie (husband Chris), and Daniel (wife Linda); four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; his brother Raymond; and sisters Denise, Diane, and Lorraine.
The family will gather privately in the coming months to celebrate Gerry’s life and legacy.
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4 Comments To "Gerry Wattier"
#1 Comment By John & Dail McIsaac On January 20, 2026 @ 11:34 am
So sorry for your loss. We feel it too. Although time has past, the friendship of ” The Village People” lives on. With love and God Bless.
#2 Comment By Ed & Elaine Prefontaine On January 20, 2026 @ 1:11 pm
Gerry’s was a good life lived to the fullest! We always enjoyed our ski and golf outings together and the social times we had with both he and Sylvia. A good friend will be missed but all the good memories will live on. Sail on Gerry!
#3 Comment By Lane Laura On January 20, 2026 @ 10:57 pm
In loving memory of Gerry Wattier,
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. We loved Gerry very much, and felt he embraced us like family.
So glad he has been our friend, and we shared together laughs, music and meaningful conversation.
Love Laura Lane and Mark Waddington
#4 Comment By Tammy Wattier-Smith On January 25, 2026 @ 7:07 pm
I did not grow up knowing my Uncle Gerry very well. For most of my early life he lived in Quebec with his family and my family lived in Ontario. In 2002 Auntie Sylvia and Uncle Gerry came to stay with me for a few days in preparation for my mom’s 60th birthday and we stayed up until all hours chatting. I learned so much from them! Listening to my Uncle Gerry’s perspective of the hundreds of stories that my dad had shared helped me understand my family history even better. His sense of humour and gentleness made me want to spend as much time as possible with him and I was sad to see them leave a few days later. I feel blessed that I was able to ‘meet’ Uncle Gerry in 2002 and have him be a part of my life for 24 years. I am so sorry he has passed. Please know you are all in my prayers and that my family sends you all love.