Gene Gear

 Surrounded by his family, Gene Warren Gear chose dignity to the very end, passing away on Sunday September 27, 2026 at the age of 66.

 Born on June 11, 1960 to parents Keith and Shirley, Gene began a life in Burgessville and never looked back. He was raised alongside siblings Darlene (Dave), Valerie, and Bill (Sue), in the small town and met his best friend and wife Michelle of 29 years at the Burgessville Baptist Church. 

 Together, Gene and Michelle created a home that became the heart of their family to raise Gene’s three boys. He was a devoted father to Scott (Dana), Darryl (Heather), and Jeremy. The Burgessville home never got bigger but the family did. Together, Gene and Michelle raised Haley (Josh), Hannah, and Hayden (Emily). Gene learned the value of hard work and the importance of family from a young age. He never went a day without providing for his family with more than 35 active years at Firestone Textiles and later Tirecraft in Ingersoll. Being a spouse, father, provider and friend was important to Gene but his most important role was being a grandfather. Gene had unending love and pride for his grandchildren Emma, Willow, Olivia, Miller and Maverick. Whether Gene was telling awful Dad jokes, complaining about how much he hated playing cards, catching a big fish while camping, cracking open a can of Diet Coke or pissing off Michelle, he was making every moment unforgettable.

 A special thanks to all of the volunteers and staff at Sakura House, Dr. Sondhi, Dr. Fryer, Dr. MacLean, community nurses Lisa, Tina and Suzanne, Oxford Paramedics, and to all our family and friends for their support.

 A Visitation will be held on Friday October 2nd, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 603 Adelaide Street in Woodstock. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 3rd at 11am at First Baptist Church (the church is wheelchair accessible). In lieu of flowers, donations in Gene’s memory may be made to VON Sakura House.

Wareing Cremation Services, 225 Norwich Ave., Woodstock, Ontario has been entrusted with Final Arrangements. Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared here at www.wareingcremation.ca