Psychiatrist, multisport athlete, coach, builder. Born July 29, 1921, in Frankford, Ont., died July 06, 2011, in Kingston, Ont., of natural causes, aged 89.
Doctor Gerry Wagar was a student of life, medicine and sports. As he approached his 90th birthday, still naturally curious and a believer in life-long learning, he continued to regularly review medical journals. He watched sports on television with a clipboard in hand, taking detailed notes and dissecting every play.
He attended McMaster University (BSc 1946) on an Ontario Hospital Association scholarship and earned his medical degree from Queen's University, while still finding time to excel at three varsity sports – hockey, football and tennis. At Queen's, he would play games for both the varsity football and hockey teams just a few hours apart. He was recognized by Queen's as the varsity hockey team's Player of the Decade for the 1940s.
Simply known as "Doc," this quiet, compassionate, unassuming man was a keen student of the game who greatly admired innovators like Howie Meeker and Roger Neilson.
His daughter, Laura Palango, would remark that her dad was "always ahead of his time, but never on time."
He built one of Kingston's most successful minor hockey teams, led by future NHL players Ken Linseman and Rick Paterson. In 1971, they won the North American Silver Stick Peewee tournament, compiling a record of 50 wins, two losses and one tie that season.
A few years later, at the inaugural Wrigley Cup Canadian midget hockey championships, the team lost to Verdun 5-3 in the final despite out-shooting the Quebec team 44-17.
Doc enjoyed the same success managing the Kingston Ponies Senior baseball team, winning several Ontario titles and taking them to the Canada Summer Games.
One of his lasting contributions was helping to bring Major Junior Hockey to Kingston in 1973. Doc was an integral part of a local business group who purchased the defunct Montreal Junior Canadiens franchise, resurrecting it as the Kingston Canadians. For his many contributions to sports, Doc was inducted into the McMaster University and the Kingston & District sports halls of fame.
Despite the passing of his wife Geraldine in 2003, Doc continued to practise medicine, retiring in 2009 at the age of 87. In retirement, he continued to track the accomplishments of his eight grandchildren, who shared his love of sports and pursued his love for music, animals and lifelong learning.
Despite a chronic struggle with colitis, he was immensely proud of his independence and his ability to drive up until the time of his death.
Aside from his family, including his children Terry, Kim and Laura, one of his proudest accomplishments was serving his country in the later stages of the Second World War, heading overseas to train as a pilot.
Doc always maintained a keen sense of humour, and was the first to admit he was far more medically than mechanically inclined. He enjoyed being a listener far more than an orator.
Dr. H. Gerald Wagar was a proud Kingstonian and genuine friend and mentor to many; a true example of a long life lived to the fullest.
Mark Potter is Gerald Wagar's friend