Emmerich, Gerhard Alfred (Gerd) (Died)

Gerhard Alfred Emmerich was born on March 7, 1926 in Dresden Germany, a son to Oswald and Martha (Hennig) Emmerich and brother to Hans (wife Gertrud and son Gerhard) and to sister Erika. WWII was deadly to his family as all were lost including the city. A shining light came in the form of a work camp in England for displaced Germans where he met his partner of 68 years, Jean Benfield (Jeanie). Having two sons Peter Hans and Jeffrey Phillip, they then moved to the promised land of Canada in 1956. Now living in Salford, Gerd and Jean welcomed Michael David and Jennifer Lynn to the family. Working on farms and factories for many years, he was able to capitalize on his brief German education to become a Lab Technician and later a Metallurgist at Kelsey Hayes in Woodstock. Early retirement in 1984 found them moving from Ingersoll to the New Liskeard area to a small hobby farm. Missing their family resulted in moving back to Brownsville, Langton, Tillsonburg, Kitchener, London and finally to Woodstock. Upon the passing of his beloved Jeanie in 2017, he looked forward to the call to join her again. He passed away peacefully on August 25, 2022 in his 97th year, surrounded by the love of his family. He was also predeceased by his son Peter in 2009. He is survived by his two sons Jeffrey (Charlene), Michael (Paulette Martel) and daughter Jennifer (Kent Baldner), grandchildren Julian Micu, Danielle Moura (Phillip), and Stephanie Browning and great-grandchildren Lincoln and Quinn Moura. Gerd will be interred with his wife and their son at a private ceremony at Delmer Cemetery. Happy dreams; you won't be alone.