Mr. Speaker, it’s with a heavy heart that I rise today. On August 19, 2022, Gerrie Kautz—father, grandfather, friend, colleague, and one of my closest mentors—passed away peacefully and quickly at the age of 84 in Ottawa. Gerrie will be lovingly missed and cherished by his daughter, Cammie Ritchie, and grandson, Marshall Ritchie. Gerrie’s many friends and colleagues will remember the memories of happy times together for years to come.

Gerrie was born in Winnipeg and grew up in the southern Manitoba town of Ridgeville.

In 1956, he entered the Royal Roads Military College as a navel cadet, moving on to the University of Manitoba, where he received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering.

After a wonderful career in the military, Gerrie’s second career was spent in international marketing, where he conducted business in over 40 countries.

He retired in 1998 to help care for his wife, Edna-May “Eddie” Kautz. During this time, Gerrie worked for over 10 years as a business and marketing consultant. He was also an author, with over eight published books in Canada and the USA. His golden years were spent happily helping and sharing his vast business knowledge and support, sitting on local committees, assisting local businesses, building and organizing community associations, and volunteering his time and services to charity events, including assisting me on my campaign as part of my election campaign committee team.

He was an active and dedicated member and pillar in the Greely area and beyond.

I’d like to express my sincere condolences to Cammie Ritchie, his family, and the entire Greely community on this loss. My condolences.