Gerald Maller (Passed away 19 Apr 2016)

A lovely man who will be missed. Rest in peace x

My uncle, and my friend. I will miss him, and our Sunday morning chats

Gerry, a kind and gentle man who came into our lives and filled a space in our hearts.
Gerry was always up for grandchild minding duties, and was often seen playing all sorts of games both indoors and out. Gerry brought joy and laughter into our lives and I hope we did to his. We all enjoyed our holidays together and remember him on Big Thunder Mountain and all the Disney rides, and playing cricket or swimming with the children.
The saying "I am confused.com" will carry on being used in our family now through the generations, thanks to Gerry, and he will always be thought of fondly when sausages are being cooked.
Love and miss you Gerry. Hope you have met dad up there and are having a good chat, you will get on well.
Sandra

My first memory of Uncle Gerald is what a lovely time he and my Dad had, putting a bath room and an indoor toilet into our house in Hythe Road. They were out there in what had been the scullery for hours and hours every weekend and all we would hear would be laughter and chat. But they got the job done, and it was perfect. Magic! Kind and good fun just sums him up, I think.
In time, I came to realize that my uncle's life did have some tragic shadows, but he didn't dwell on those. If anyone asked him about the really tough times, he'd say "Ah, that's a long story", and that would be it. When he finally wrote that whole long story down, it ended with a new life - me, I was so honoured! - and his determination to live the best life he possibly could. And that he did.
He loved to joke, he worked hard, and I don't believe I ever heard him say a cross or an unkind word about anybody.
This tribute would not be complete without mentioning how much he meant to my Dad. They grew up in the Great Depression of the 1920s and 1930s, and knew real hardship, not to mention bereavements. We can barely imagine it now. But for Dad, there was always that cheery companion. Many years later, when a neighbour scolded my dad for letting some buttercups grow in his garden, she was sent away with a flea in her ear, because "They remind me of the field where I used to play with my brother, and I'm never going to dig them up." That's why I'm going to sing "All things bright and beautiful" with such pleasure at his funeral.

Fond memories of a lovely man. Rest in peace.
Caroline (New Zealand)

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Gerry, our dear Grandfather. Many of my earliest and happiest memories are of times spent with Gerry. He was a modest and kind man, always quick to share a joke, and always keen to help others less fortunate than himself.

While Gerry is no longer with us in person, the impression he made on my life will live on. I have so many fond memories of Gerry, from his wide and varied use of BluTack to fix literally everything, to his enthusiastic love of Eccles Cakes, Liquorice AllSorts, and most of all sausages! Gerry is truly an inspiration: a man I am proud to have called my Grandfather.

Take care Gerry- you will always be in our thoughts.

James x

I would like to condole to family of Gerry Maller. It's also very sad information for us in Klimontow, Poland.

Gerald was a very special person and probably one of the last prisoners of war from German camp in coal mine Klimontow near Sosnowiec (southern Poland) - Kommando E 702 Klimontowgrube Stalag VIII B 344 Lamsdorf.

Gerald was also very modest person. Gerald always told me that according to him he didn't do anything special during war but for me he was a hero because of his war history. He fought for freedom and peace in Europe.
Rest in peace [']
https://www.facebook.com/sosnowiec.klimontow

We will miss you and remember you forever. Love you xxx

Gerry has been part of my life for 25 years, it was an honour to have known him and I am lucky enough to say I called him my Grandad. My fondest memories are those from family holidays especially once Gerry was armed with his own video camera to capture the fun, including on one occasion the entire journey home. As a child I can remember Gerry always pottering in his shed which was filled with everything you could ever possibly require, although I always did wonder if he actually knew what he had in there! His favourite thing to make for my brothers and I was a paper aeroplane, which was far superior to any paper plane I was capable of creating; it involved ripping and folding resulting in a 1930s style aircraft. I wish I had learnt how to make one myself. Gerry was always keen to teach me things like how to wink on a day out in Bath, how to play solitaire and rummy. Gerry came into mine and my brothers lives giving us the chance to have a relationship with a Grandad which, without him we would never have had, for that I am so grateful. It is a terribly sad time, however we should all remember what a wonderful person Gerry was and the full life he was able to live. Love you forever, keep a watch over us xxx

It is with sadness that The Not Forgotten Association has heard of the passing of Gerald Ernest Maller who we were proud to call a friend of the Association and who joined us at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on the 24 May 2012. Gerald was presented to HRH The Duchess of Gloucester with other former prisoners of war. A private in the 8th Battalion The Worcestershire Regiment between 1939 – 1949 we send his family our deepest condolences in honour of this wonderful veteran.

Peter has just informed us that Gerald has sadly passed away. During our early days when we had just formed the Rodbourne Community History Group Gerald was an invaluable donor of family photographs which he freely contributed to our Archive. Showing his interest in history and his obvious love of football and athletics he donated several school photographs from his Jennings Street school days and also his documents and photographs of the GWR Works which we feature in our talks and GWR Factory guided tours.
It is some years since I last talked to Gerald but I remember him as being a kind and generous person and I will certainly mention his passing at our April meeting where I'm sure many members will have fond memories of him.
May I give mine and the Rodbourne Community History Group's condolences to his family and thank Peter again for informing us.

Dearest Gerry, will love and miss you always. Doris xx