It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Gerhard Gemsa on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 at Kamloops Hospice after a short and sudden illness. Gerhard was born June 23 ,1938 in Wartenburg, Germany. He just celebrated his 80^th birthday. Gerhard is survived by wife Helga, sons Mike and Jurgen;  grandsons Talen and Andrew, granddaughter Kiera; sister Margaret, nieces and nephews living in Germany. He was predeceased by both parents his  brothers; Gunther, Siegfrid and Heinz in Germany.

Gerhard did his 3 year apprenticeship and became a meat cutter and sausage maker (Schlachter) Gerhard immigrated in 1960 to Eston Saskatchewan, Canada. He worked for 8 years in Eston Modem Locker. In 1967 he went to visit his family in Germany and met his wife Helga. In 1968, he went back to Germany and got married. Gerhard was a man with many talents. In 1969 he moved to Kamloops. Gerhard worked at Kamloops Meat,  early in the morning he would work at Fritzes Bakery and baked the donuts. The Fritzes were good friends from Eston, Saskatchewan.  In 1979, Gerhard and his wife opened their own business; Gary’s European Sausage and Deli at the Fortune Shopping Centre, where his son Jurgen will carry on his family legacy. Gerhard worked right up until last day. He loved hunting, fishing, golf and skiing. He was also involved in soccer and hockey.

Gerhard will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

A Celebration of Gerhard’s life will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 2pm in the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Dr., with Pastor Don Maione officiating. The family would appreciate memorial donations in Gerhard’s name be sent to Kamloops Hospice, the BC Wildlife Federation or the charity of your choice. The family would like to offer a special thanks to the doctors and nurses of 5 North at Royal Inland Hospital .