Obituary of Dr. Gerald Frederick Marsters

It is with deep sadness that Mariko and Cynthia (nee Marsters) share the news of the death of their father, Dr. Gerald Frederick Marsters.  His long and storied life has touched so very many people and will leave a void in all of the spaces he walked.

From his humble beginnings with his siblings (predeceased) in his beloved Summerville, Nova Scotia, Gerald was recognized early for his deep curiosity and intelligence. He recalled being fascinated by airplanes, even as a young farm boy in Nova Scotia and this love would shape the rest of his life. This drove him through all of his pursuits, beginning with the RCAF in 1952 as a Pilot Officer, awarded his wings in 1953, eventually becoming a Lieutenant Commander and Pilot Trainer, flying the Harvard, a plane he loved forever, and the Sabre and Silver Star.  Leaving the Air Force, he attended Queen’s University and then received a full doctoral scholarship to Cornell University in New York where he was awarded his PhD in Aerospace Engineering. Returning to Queen’s University as a professor, he passionately shared his love of Aerospace Engineering with his students.  From here, he was able to forge partnerships with the big voices in Canadian Aviation; De Havilland and Transport Canada and guide the vision of the future of Aerospace in Canada.  From a young farmboy to a name that echoed in the halls where decisions about flying in Canada were made! He left Queen’s to pursue experiences in that decision making, becoming the Director of Airworthiness and overseeing the Institute of Aerospace research at the National Research council as Director General, guiding such projects as the Bird Gun, Wind Tunnels, Artificial Vision Systems and Flight Simulation. He was a pioneer in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in this position. As President of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute, he was able to shape the conversations Canadians were having about the future. It would be difficult to imagine the history of Aerospace in Canada without our Dad and indeed he is one of only a small number of Canadians to be honoured a gold medal from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration “Dr. Marsters has earned the respect of the world aviation community.”  Retirement simply saw him transfer his drive, passion and love of the sky to private consulting as he opened Aerovations Associates.

It was when he was stationed in Trenton, Ontario that he met, fell in love, and married Lorena Gunter and created a family that he adored so dearly.  They experienced all that life held together, and he was always happiest sitting by the lakeside, sailing, paddling, flying with his family by his side.  In 1967, Mariko Colette was added to the family and in 1971, Cynthia Denise was born completing this little circle.  Summers at the cottage at Mazinaw Lake gave everyone the time away from the high demand life to be together and reconnect and it was there that the family was most important and most central.  Gerry was lucky enough to see six grandchildren; Elliot, Willard, Isaak, Kaia, Jaxson and Laura and one great grandchild Theo born and they experienced all of the love and care that signified his whole life. Lorena died in 2014 leaving a void and a sadness in Gerry’s life.  He was lucky enough to find love a second time when he met and married Yvette Clarke in 2018.  In their brief window together, they travelled the world and shared a rare companionship until her death in 2022.

Gerry passed away on August 11, 2026; 93 years old; a full life, long, loved and well lived.  He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Please consider donating to Parkinson Canada www.parkinson.ca  He would be honoured by your thoughts and memories.

 

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air ....

 

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew—

And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

 

John Magee