Gerald David Borger
14 February, A.D. 1935 – 19 March, A.D. 2023
On Sunday, March 19th, 2023, at 9:25 am, having been given the precious gift of 88 years, 1 month, and 5 days of life, our dear brother in Christ, Gerald, peacefully Fell Asleep in Jesus at Grace Hospital. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, wrapped Gerald David in His loving arms with a holy death and has brought him to rest at the eternal banquet feast of Jesus in the Kingdom of God.
Gerald David was given life by his Creator and was born on February 14th, 1935, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to the late John Henry and Barbara (Leibrock) Borger. To his joy, he was brought by his Aunt Mary (Borger) Deibert to Christ Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, to receive the gift of Holy Baptism on the Third Sunday in Lent, March 24, 1935, and was born a child of God. At age fifteen, at The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer on Academy Road, on Palm Sunday, April 2nd, 1950, Gerald, along with his brother Alan, confirmed his Christian faith and received the precious gift of the Lord’s life-giving body and blood.
On September 13th, 1958, Gerald received the gift of a beloved companion in his wife, Lois, and was blessed with 64 years and 6 months of married life together with all its ups and downs.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Lois (Metcalfe); his children, Jim, Diane (Bruce), Bryan (Lori), Christine; and eight grandchildren, Sarah, Joshua, Zac, Alec, Samuel, Lukas, Anna, and Isaac. Gerald was predeceased by his five brothers Donald, Ralph, Alan, Henry and a brother in infancy, also named Henry. He is survived by his sister Barbara of Toronto. Gerald is also survived by his brother-in-law, Tom Metcalfe, and his sister-in-laws, Helen Borger and Jill Borger, and many nieces and nephews.
Gerald grew up on Church Avenue in the Northend where he attended Machray School. The family moved to Cambridge Street in River Heights in his early teens where he attended Kelvin High School. Gerald was a natural athlete and enjoyed all sports growing up including soccer, football, baseball and hockey. In later years, he enjoyed coaching hockey and football for the Winakwa Community Club.
Gerald was a “ditch digger” at heart and following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, he worked in the family’s sewer, water and road construction division. In his later adult life, he successfully directed and oversaw the housing division, Ladco Homes. He was president of the Manitoba House Builder’s Association from 1993-1994.
Gerald was a member of The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer until 1974 when the family transferred to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in St. Vital. It was there that he became more familiar with his faith through the Bethel Bible Study series under the compassionate and caring instruction of Pastor Jess Schienbein. No life is perfect, and Gerald had his share of struggles and flaws, but like Job in the Scriptures, it was Gerald’s faith at the end of the day that brought him to a Job-like confession of faith, “I do not know anything, but I do know one thing, I know that my kinsmen Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25-27).
“The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21b). We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our brother Gerald David (1 Corinthians 1:4). “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalm 116:15).
A Christian Funeral service will take place at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 1541 St. Mary's Road, on Friday, March 24th at 12:30 pm with visitation preceding the service from 11:00 am until 12:15 pm. Pastor Cameron Schnarr will officiate the service. The Committal will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Gerald Borger’s name to Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church & School.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.neilbardalfuneralhome.com.