KANGELARIS, Gerry (Gerasimos)

Passed away peacefully at LRH Traralgon surrounded by his loving family on 12 April 2026 – Greek Orthodox Easter, resurrection Sunday.

Beloved son of Christos (dec) and Christalla Kangelaris (dec).

Deeply adored and loved brother of Maria, Koola, Arthur and partner Tanya.

Cherished Uncle to Zach, Lauren and Alex.

Loving Great Uncle to Mia Christalla-Rose.

Gerry, it was an honour and privilege to care for you, as your sister, especially after we lost our parents in 2013. This was a major traumatic experience for you and it changed your life and our entire family unit. When you got diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 2019, it changed your world once again but we navigated through it, with unconditional love, resilience, support from family, close friends and support services.

Gerry, you were so loved and adored by all your family, nephews, great niece, cousins, overseas relatives, friends, neighbours, work colleagues, community support workers, allied health professionals, the Greek community and basically everyone who you met in Traralgon – how could they not resist that cheerful grin and cheeky smile.

Gerry, I will miss you terribly, as my heart is truly broken. I keep looking around to see where you are but you’re not there. We shared our special “I love you” sign language with Koola and others, who were special to you. You would reach out and we could connect together with our pinky, index finger and thumb extended and this was your way of showing us that you loved us. 🤟

You shed your last tear, when you left us on Easter Sunday on 12 April, in ICU at LRH. We’ve shed many more tears since that day. But I know, that deep down in my heart that you’re at peace and pain free. You’re now reunited with your beloved father and mother: Christos and Christalla. My love for you will always be embedded in my heart forever. Your loving sister, Maria 💔🤟🤟

Gerry was a special family member that God blessed us with. He faced numerous life challenges from the onset, being born 3 months premature and profoundly deaf.

Our parents made countless sacrifices to enable Gerry to have a good education and sustainable employment. It’s a testament to their unwavering love and support for Gerry.

As a family, we were Gerry’s biggest advocates, his loudest cheer leaders, his most passionate voice, his loyal supporters, his ‘safe place’.

As a twin sister to Gerry, we had an unbreakable bond, a connection, a sixth sense to feel each other’s pain, joy, happiness, sadness, fear and anxiety.

We shared enriched fond memories together: playing outdoors (billy-cart riding, kicking the footy, bike riding, competitive tennis, swimming); games and creative time (playing uno, painting); leisure activities (cinema, beach, weekend trips, visiting friends, eating out at restaurants and cafes); and family activities (cooking, watching tv, attending church, weddings, christenings, Cowwarr Weir) and most recently going to the regional airport together to watch the planes landing.

Gerry shared my passion for art. He created small ceramic bowls, mosaic wall art, paintings using pastels, acrylics, collage and watercolours. Gerry exhibited his artworks at local art exhibitions, featured in an article in our local newspaper and sold several of his artworks (one hanging in our friend’s home).

How lucky we were to have Gerry as a brother. It was an honour and privilege. I will miss you terribly, my heart is broken, feeling numbness, emptiness, void of your presence. But I know deep down in my soul you are resting, in a better place, pain free. God has called you home into the Kingdom of heaven – at peace now. I’m reassured of this because your last clear words to myself and Maria were: “Jesus loves me”. I loved, adored and cherished you with an unconditional heart. Your loving twin, Koola 💔

Gerry loved watching myself compete in kickboxing training and competitions in Melbourne. He was very happy when he met Stan “The Man” Longinidis and Sam Greco. Gerry loved his sport, like going to the Traralgon FC games, Olympians soccer games, playing tennis and cricket. Gerry loved the Richmond Tigers and was happy when they won premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Gerry loved his nephews Zach and Alex and recently getting to know his great niece, Mia.

We had great memories together and I’ll miss you very much. Resting in peace and now reunited with Mum and Dad. Love from your brother, Arthur.

Gerry’s immediate family would like express their gratitude to: the GoodSAM (Good Samaritan) Responder: we don’t know your name, you appeared and you were our guardian angel. Ambulance Victoria, the ICU Nurses and doctors for their compassionate and professional care.

Specialists: Associate Prof Stephen Macfarlane, Dr John Drago

Jennifer McNeill

Speech Pathologists: Catherine Lambert, Alicia Phillips and Jessica Short

Gippsland Occupational Therapy Services: Suzy Young, Jessica Bates,Aimee Pywell and Kelly Godfrey

Hearing Australia Audiologist: Rafal Gawlowski

Podiatrist: April White

Dementia Support Australia: Bernadette Crabtree and Kelli Webb

ECDC Cognitive Nurse Consultant: Janet Bennett

Gippy Care: Tori Sim

LCHS Dietician: Alyssa Di Nuzzo

To all the previous and current GP’s: Dr. Roger Fitzgerald, Dr Ham, Dr Alagarswami and Dr Edris Keshtiar

Headway Gippsland Inc: Support Coordinator: Shaylah Pitt

DHSS: Angie Smith

To all the various Community Disability Support workers and staff from Interchange Gippsland: Cynthia, Fiona L, Steph, Fiona T, Amber, Kayne, Jordy, Chris, Pramesh, Rav, Trish, Kristy, Sue, Jiya, Sophie and Jorja.

Simply Helping: Andrew Redston, Ann Ashworth (dec) and Kocha, C2A (Cooinda Hill): David, Kelly and SCOPE: Narelle, Chloe and Gemma. We appreciated how you all treated Gerry with respect, kindness and compassion over the many years.

Everyone knew Gerry’s motto: “No money, No Cake”

GO TIGERS!