Gerard "Herbie" Coulas

In Loving Memory of

Gerard "Herby" Coulas

June 30, 1957 - November 26, 2016

Gerard "Herby" Coulas passed away peacefully after a brave battle with cancer on November 26 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, at the age of 59. Much loved husband of Debbie (Stoppa) Coulas. Loving brother to Patsy (Danny O'Malley, Mary (David Yantha) and John (late barb). Loved by his second family: Mother Jacqueline Stoppa, brother-in-law Edward (Bev), sisters-in-law Esther (Lawrence Dorman) and Karen (Bruce Sullivan). Uncle to Shaun, Jamie, Laurie, Rachel, Christopher, Mark and Jonathon. Proud Godfather to Mark Steiner Coulas and Benjamin Tweedie.

He worked at Murray Brother's Lumber Co. where he was respected by many and with good humour gave 100 per cent.

Visitation was held at the Heubner Funeral Home on Monday, November 28, and a beautiful Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated by Father Chris Shalla at St, Hedwig's Parish on Tuesday, November 29. Priests who concelebrated were Father Joseph Hattie of St. Hedwig's Parish, and Father Tom Zoller and Father Brian Christie of Madonna House. They were assisted by Deacons Jean-Nil Chabot and Bob McDonald.

To our family, friends and community, I thank each and every one of you for your prayers, love and support during Herby's illness - you were our strength.

Herby was an amazing man. He fought the good fight; he never complained; he never lost hope. He continued to enjoy the simple things in life until the very end, always with a smile and a joke. He had a deep faith in God and was looking forward to going to Heaven. He saw death as a continuation of life. He touched many lives by his kind and gentle ways.

As I look back, i see the good far more than I see the pain. I see a beautiful journey of love and I thank al the wonderful people who journeyed with us.

Thank you to our angels for taking Herby to his appointments; for shovelling snow; bringing their newspaper to our door for Herby to enjoy every day.

Thank you to our special angel Diane and our beacon of light Dave. To the doctors; especially Dr. Joe Cybulskie and his office staff, to the nurses in Emerg, and the nursing staff and all departments at Sta. Francis Memorial Hospital - You are great. To the CCAC Bayshore nurses (especially Tania) and the oncology nurses and staff at Renfrew Victoria Hospital for taking such good care of Herby.

Thank you to Father Chris Shalla and Father Joseph Hattie, Deacons Jean-Nil Chabot; Bob McDonald; and Bob Probert, and their wives, and all our Parish community for being with us throughout this journey; as well as the other churches in our area who prayed for Herby and I.

Thank you to the Knights of Columbus; the CWL and the Sacred Heart League for their prayers at the funeral home. To the pallbearers (chosen by Herby): Matthew and Tyler Shalla, Christopher Yantha, Jamie O'Malley, Mark Steiner Coulas and Jonathon Stoppa. To his hunting buddies "big and small" for serving as an Honour Guard and to the confraternity of Christian Mothers. To Anne Maika and choir members who sang so beautifully at Mass. To Bob Maika for a simple and homorous eulogy. To Warren and Joe of Heubner Funeral Home for their care and compassion. To the altar servers. To Charlotte Kuiack and her staff for the delicious meal served after Herby's burial. To the ladies who prepared the meal at our home and for taking such good care of us.

A heartfelt thank you to our families, neighbours, friends and community for your gifts of food, flowers, cards, mass offerings and monetary donations.

Despite the tears and loss, many people said it was a joyful funeral; full of love; a true celebration of life.

I thank God for nine wonderful years with my husband. He will be spending Christmas in Heaven this year and will be smiling down on me - Until we meet again my love.

"Safe in the arms of Jesus"

With love and deep appreciation to everyone - Debbie

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