Gerald Arthur Masson

On Friday, July 3, 2026 at Portage District General Hospital, Gerald “Gerry” Masson passed away at the age of 82 years. Gerald was born in Virden, Manitoba. He was the first-born child of Emma and Joseph Masson of Oak Lake, Manitoba.

Gerald grew up on a mixed farm south of Oak Lake. Like all farm families, he had to “pitch in” with the work at an early age- milking cows by hand, feeding animals, and haying for most of the summer. Life was not easy in those days, but farm kids learned to work, organize and develop determination to “get things done”. During his high school years, he enjoyed playing football, and curling.

At the age of 17, Gerald started his career with Manitoba Pool Elevators as a helper, which took him to many different locations in Manitoba including Oakville, Snowflake, and Miami, among other places around the province, before settling down in Portage la Prairie as the Elevator Agent. He loved his job and earned a reputation as a good grain buyer. He was a perfectionist with his bookkeeping, excelled in penmanship, and took pride in maintaining a clean, organized grain elevator, for which he won an award from Manitoba Pool Elevators.

In 1969, he married Geraldine Verwey and they resided in Portage la Prairie for the next 3 years until they purchased a small mixed farm in the Bagot area by “the half-way tree”. Gerald and Geraldine had three sons; Arnold, Andy, and Ardin. In the coming years, they expanded their operation by buying a dairy farm, which they operated for 25 years. Upon selling the dairy, they added beef cattle to their family farm.

Gerald had a deep faith in God and a firm belief in Christian standards. He seldom missed his morning or evening prayers. He delighted in his grandchildren, and he really enjoyed playing with them and their toys. In later years, he enjoyed conversations with his sons and grandchildren in whichever topic came up, including sports, politics, jokes and of course, farming.

Gerald is predeceased by his parents Emma and Joseph Masson, sister Louanne Gibson, brother-in-law Gary Gibson, sister Lucie Meilleur, and sister-in-law Elaine Masson (Daniel). Though Gerald is now enjoying his eternal reward, he will always be loved and remembered by his spouse, Geraldine, and children and grandchildren Arnold and Tracey (Brynne), Andy and Tanya (Cash and Ty) and Ardin. Gerald is also survived by his sisters Lorraine (Jim) Dyer, Lorette (Bill) Kuzy Linda (Jim) Moggach, and brothers, Robert (Brenda) Masson, and Daniel (Isla) Masson and brother-in-law Ray Meilleur.

Gerald had numerous in-laws John♰ (Norma) Verwey, Joann (Karl) Voesenek, Marie (Lloyd♱) Delf, Bernie Verwey, Arnold (Judy) Verwey, Idie♰ (Tom♰) Trimble, Pat (Owen) Williams, Randy (Shirlene) Verwey and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Mass will be held on Friday. August 7, 2026 at 11:30 am at Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church, led by Fr. Marcelino Bandico. A celebration of life will follow the service in the church hall at 1:00 pm.  The service will be livestreamed, to register and view click below.

As expressions of sympathy, donations can be made in Gerry’s memory to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Boulevard Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5 or Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 1125 Saskatchewan Avenue East Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3Y8.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel. www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com