Gerald “Jerry” Lindsey Cowtan

Everyone has a story–a modern version of a “high-seas adventure” tale, but if you knew my father, Jerry, you probably experienced just such a traditional encounter with the unknown. You probably followed him into an up-close and personal rendezvous with an uncharted “wilderness” that threatened your survival, (or perhaps only your sense of security), but it was enough to feel exhilarated and terrified, angry and grateful. That experience may have led you to say, “Jerry’s my hero for taking me to the edge and bringing me back alive!” or “I’ll never get suckered into another adventure with Jerry Cowtan!”.

But, like all of us, you’d find his confidence and enthusiasm for the next escapade to be irresistible and before you knew it, you’d be looking up at Jerry, standing tall beneath his sou’wester, eyes squinting into the driving rain as he turns the bow of the boat into the black-walled storm railing across the lake, and your first thought would be: “We’re going to die!” quickly followed by your second thought, “Why is he smiling!”

Going through Dad’s things, I realize now those victories over Lake Huron’s unpredictable squalls were not the result of luck. Well-read sailing books are stacked among his few possessions: “World Sailing”, “Passage Making Handbook”, “Great Lakes Nautical Charts.” He wasn’t a happen-chance sailor, nor is his next journey unprepared.

Our father was a seeker, a man who loved to learn. He loved the thrill of the challenge and had an easy courage when facing the unknown. He satisfied his questing curiosity through self-study, best preparing himself as he waded in. That was how he lived his life.

But how does someone who lives like that prepare for death? Well, Dad taught us to live life to the fullest, and when that is no longer possible, to accept death. I’d like to say Dad believed in an afterlife, but he believed every day counted. “Live life to the fullest, because it may be the only life you get,” he advised us. And, that was enough for him, because he had that easy courage going into the unknown.

We are sorry to say we lost Gerald (Jerry) Lindsey Cowtan, August 29th, 2024 in his 86th year. He was predeceased by his beloved parents Maurice and Florence [Bredin], sister Nancy (Don Cerson), Brother-in-law and friend, Grant Ferris (Gloria), and cherished daughter-in-law Laura Brown (Lee).

Those left on the dock, waving, are his children, Lee, Cheryl and Steven (Natasha) Cowtan, whom he raised with his former spouse of twenty years, Dianne J Ferris. Jerry will be also missed by his surviving siblings, Ken (Carol), Don (Laura), and Ron (Joanne) Cowtan, his grandchildren, Adam (Jade), Grace, Nathan, Aaron, Lily, Maya, Liam, and Sariyah, his in-laws Ralph and Donna Warner and Gloria Ferris, his great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, his life-time friends, Don Cerson, and George Gade, his companion, Sharon Anderson, his former partner Cheryl Courville and her daughter, Vicki Free, his friend Tracy Weiss and many family and friends not mentioned here, but in our hearts, as we know he is in your thoughts.

As per Dad’s request, there will be no funeral service, but sharing your tales of adventure is always encouraged. Arrangements entrusted to Grey Bruce Cremation and Burial Services, greybrucecremation.com.