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'''Gary George Somerfield''' ( | '''Gary George Somerfield''' (11 November 1957 - 10 October 2024) was a military medal collector and retired high school history teacher from Thunder Bay, Ontario, who made a lasting impression on many of his students with his interactive teaching techniques. | ||
==Family== | ==Family== | ||
His birth on 11 November 1957 to George and Colleen Somerfield (nee Daniels), was announced in the Fort William Daily Times-Journal on page 26 of the 20 November issue, along with that of his identical twin Dan. He also has two sisters: Wendy and Debbie. He married his wife, Michelle. | |||
His father died on 14 August 2011. His mother died the following year. | |||
==Career== | |||
As a student, he acted the part of Daniel McKenzie during the summers in the late 1970s at Old Fort William [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_William_Historical_Park], and sent author Marion Elizabeth Fawkes the results of his research for her book on her father. She thanked him in her 1994 book, ''In Search of My Father''. | |||
He was certified to teach in March 1986 and taught until his retirement in 2014. | |||
He taught [[Michael Currie]] History in 1999 at Hammarskjold High School and served as the chaperone on Michael's trip to the Winnipeg Model United Nations Assembly [http://winnipegmuna.ca/] in May 2001. His inspirational and humourous teaching style endeared him to many of his students. | |||
[[File:Somerfield Versailles.PNG|thumb|Gary Somerfield, in a judge's wig, 15 December 1999]] | |||
On 15 December 1999, he took a lesson on the 1919 Treaty of Versailles so seriously that he dressed as a judge in a powdered wig and had his students act the part of the national participants. | |||
He rated 4.37 stars based on 11 teacher ratings at the Rate My Teachers website. | |||
{{quote | |||
|text=Great Guy, awesome test (i.e. History bites, mind maps, gossip mags.) | |||
|author=Anonymous reviewer, 2003, RateMyTeachers | |||
}} | |||
{{quote | |||
|text=somerfield is like a god - awesome teacher | |||
|author=Anonymous reviewer, 2004, RateMyTeachers | |||
}} | |||
{{quote | |||
|text=If you are in Somerfield's class, it's guaranteed to be interesting. | |||
|author=Anonymous reviewer, 2005, RateMyTeachers | |||
}} | |||
==Medal Collecting== | ==Medal Collecting== | ||
| Line 15: | Line 44: | ||
}} | }} | ||
From February 2001 to perhaps 2013, through his now-defunct website, www.northwestmedal.com, powered by his former student [[Andrew Campbell]]'s BrickHost [https://www.brickhost.com/], he specialized in British and Canadian attributed items. He ran this mail-order business from his home at 102 Empress Ave South. | [[File:NorthwestMedal.jpg|thumb|Northwest Medal logo, circa 2012]] | ||
From February 2001 to perhaps 2013, through his now-defunct website, www.northwestmedal.com, powered by his former student [[Andrew Campbell]]'s BrickHost [https://www.brickhost.com/], he specialized in British- and Canadian-attributed items. He ran this mail-order business from his home at 102 Empress Ave South. | |||
{{quote | {{quote | ||
|text=Medal collecting is a wonderful hobby. I started collecting about 20 years ago and in February,2001 I decided to start my own company; I am probably the only registered medal dealer between Winnipeg and Toronto. Everyone probably knows some family member who served in the military and hopefully can begin collecting with some family medals. The wonderful thing about specializing in British and Commonwealth medals is that most of them are named -- thus allowing one to investigate the man behind the medal as well as the action or war itself. As well, many of the medal and casualty rolls are published thus saving one time and expense in | |text=Medal collecting is a wonderful hobby. I started collecting about 20 years ago and in February, 2001 I decided to start my own company; I am probably the only registered medal dealer between Winnipeg and Toronto. Everyone probably knows some family member who served in the military and hopefully can begin collecting with some family medals. The wonderful thing about specializing in British and Commonwealth medals is that most of them are named -- thus allowing one to investigate the man behind the medal as well as the action or war itself. As well, many of the medal and casualty rolls are published thus saving one time and expense in contacting researchers. I encourage you to get into the hobby. | ||
contacting researchers. I encourage you to get into the hobby. | |||
Viewing by appointment available. | Viewing by appointment available. | ||
| Line 38: | Line 67: | ||
}} | }} | ||
== | ==Obituary== | ||
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, dad, brother and friend, Gary Somerfield, at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Thursday, October 10, 2024. | |||
Gary George Somerfield was born November 11, 1957, in Bagotville Quebec. From an early time, Gary considered himself a Montreal Canadians fan partly because of his French beginnings but also the influences of an already avid Habs fan (his dad) in the house. He was the eldest of 4 children and 1 of over 50 cousins from both his mother’s and father’s families. Gary spent much of his early life moving throughout Canada as the son of Airforce parents. His places of home ventured from Quebec, New Brunswick, British Columbia and eventually to staying in Thunder Bay at the beginning of High School. Gary attended a variety of high schools in Thunder Bay and ultimately graduated from PACI in 1976. Following high school Gary attended Confederation College for a diploma in marketing and eventually followed his love of history to study at Lakehead University. He received his Bachelor of Education Degree in 1986 majoring in history with a minor in English. His career path of teaching took him to many high schools across the city, always trying to instill the same love of history that he had in his students. He made lifelong friends at many of the schools he taught at until his retirement in 2014. Until the time of his death, Gary worked at European Meats as the Receiver in the back of the shop. He loved this job and the people he worked with and met in day-to-day interactions. He felt blessed and was grateful to be a part of this business. | |||
Family was everything to Gary. He met the love of his life Michelle, in October 1997. They fell head over heels quickly and were engaged by April of 1998 with a December wedding planned for the same year. The early part of their marriage saw the purchase of a small house, the addition of a cat and many trips. They took trips to Toronto, Winnipeg, Newfoundland, and Mexico. In 2006 they welcomed twins, Aidan and Peyton, who quickly became the apples of Gary’s eye. Gary’s patience was boundless when it came to his children. Never wanting to be too hard on them, he had a gentle side that would attempt to correct any wrong doings or inappropriate behaviours. Hours were spent playing with them in younger years downstairs in the basement creating museum replicas as well as building forts outside or even in the living room. In later years, Gary was always willing to play taxi driver whenever either one needed a ride and to any place they wanted to go. He enjoyed hearing each one talk of their days and would quietly smile at the different adventures they would have encountered. His family meant the world to him, and he would do anything to protect and provide for them. | |||
He | Gary loved people. He enjoyed the many hockey evenings he hosted inclusive of food, beverages and banter should a Bruins or Leafs fan be in the company. He treasured his time on the links with golfing friends at a variety of courses throughout the city. He loved his church family where he served as a greeter, usher and snow shoveller worshiping the Lord God with all his heart who had redeemed and saved him from an eternal death. Gary’s final gift of love to people was being an organ donor through the Trillium Foundation/Organ donation chapter in Thunder Bay. Because of this gift, others continue to live and enjoy life. Many thanks to the many nurses, doctors and staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Intensive Care Unit. Your kindness and skills made a difficult time less painful. | ||
Gary was predeceased by his father George (2011), mother Colleen (2012), and nephew Timothy Jewell (2005). He leaves to mourn his wife Michelle, son Aidan and daughter Peyton, brother Dan Somerfield, sister Wendy Gunn, sister Debbie (John) Mikkelson, and sister-in-law Jodi (Cory) Jewell. Nieces and nephews Colleen and Erik Mikkelson, Emilie and Seth Jewell, and Bailey Jewell (Ryan). | |||
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Grace Church, 289 Court St. N., Thunder Bay, Ontario with a reception to follow in the Austin Stouffer Fellowship Hall downstairs. In lieu of flower, charitable memorial gifts may be made to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre ICU Ward, MEMO (Medical Equipment Modernization Opportunity), or a charity of your own choice. | |||
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
| Line 74: | Line 96: | ||
Northwest Medal. Accessed via Wayback Machine, 31 May 2013. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130531015329/http://www.northwestmedal.com/aboutus.php] | Northwest Medal. Accessed via Wayback Machine, 31 May 2013. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130531015329/http://www.northwestmedal.com/aboutus.php] | ||
Obituary https://www.snnewswatch.com/obituaries/gary-george-somerfield-9693670 | |||
Latest revision as of 10:20, 10 November 2024
Gary George Somerfield (11 November 1957 - 10 October 2024) was a military medal collector and retired high school history teacher from Thunder Bay, Ontario, who made a lasting impression on many of his students with his interactive teaching techniques.
Family
His birth on 11 November 1957 to George and Colleen Somerfield (nee Daniels), was announced in the Fort William Daily Times-Journal on page 26 of the 20 November issue, along with that of his identical twin Dan. He also has two sisters: Wendy and Debbie. He married his wife, Michelle.
His father died on 14 August 2011. His mother died the following year.
Career
As a student, he acted the part of Daniel McKenzie during the summers in the late 1970s at Old Fort William [1], and sent author Marion Elizabeth Fawkes the results of his research for her book on her father. She thanked him in her 1994 book, In Search of My Father.
He was certified to teach in March 1986 and taught until his retirement in 2014.
He taught Michael Currie History in 1999 at Hammarskjold High School and served as the chaperone on Michael's trip to the Winnipeg Model United Nations Assembly [2] in May 2001. His inspirational and humourous teaching style endeared him to many of his students.
On 15 December 1999, he took a lesson on the 1919 Treaty of Versailles so seriously that he dressed as a judge in a powdered wig and had his students act the part of the national participants.
He rated 4.37 stars based on 11 teacher ratings at the Rate My Teachers website.
Great Guy, awesome test (i.e. History bites, mind maps, gossip mags.)
— Anonymous reviewer, 2003, RateMyTeachers
somerfield is like a god - awesome teacher
— Anonymous reviewer, 2004, RateMyTeachers
If you are in Somerfield's class, it's guaranteed to be interesting.
— Anonymous reviewer, 2005, RateMyTeachers
Medal Collecting
Since about 1980 he has been a collector of military medals.
FOR SALE IN CANADIAN DOLLARS:
WAR ORDER OF THE GERMAN CROSS "GOLD." Very nice cloth version with field grey backing and very good finish on wreath. Paper backing intact and no damage. Worn by Army and Waffen SS - $150.00 postage and handling included.
GARY G. SOMERFIELD (OMSA #3598) 165 ACADEMY DRIVE, APT 18, THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA PTB 8J3
— Orders & Medals Society of America (OMSA) Newsletter, 1985
From February 2001 to perhaps 2013, through his now-defunct website, www.northwestmedal.com, powered by his former student Andrew Campbell's BrickHost [3], he specialized in British- and Canadian-attributed items. He ran this mail-order business from his home at 102 Empress Ave South.
Medal collecting is a wonderful hobby. I started collecting about 20 years ago and in February, 2001 I decided to start my own company; I am probably the only registered medal dealer between Winnipeg and Toronto. Everyone probably knows some family member who served in the military and hopefully can begin collecting with some family medals. The wonderful thing about specializing in British and Commonwealth medals is that most of them are named -- thus allowing one to investigate the man behind the medal as well as the action or war itself. As well, many of the medal and casualty rolls are published thus saving one time and expense in contacting researchers. I encourage you to get into the hobby.
Viewing by appointment available.
NOTE: 1-888-618-3679 is only usable in Canada & US only.
Respectfully,
Gary Somerfield
OMRS #3234
MCCof Canada #3133
OMS of America #7273
CSMMI # 679
— Gary Somerfield, northwestmedal.com [4]
Obituary
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our husband, dad, brother and friend, Gary Somerfield, at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Gary George Somerfield was born November 11, 1957, in Bagotville Quebec. From an early time, Gary considered himself a Montreal Canadians fan partly because of his French beginnings but also the influences of an already avid Habs fan (his dad) in the house. He was the eldest of 4 children and 1 of over 50 cousins from both his mother’s and father’s families. Gary spent much of his early life moving throughout Canada as the son of Airforce parents. His places of home ventured from Quebec, New Brunswick, British Columbia and eventually to staying in Thunder Bay at the beginning of High School. Gary attended a variety of high schools in Thunder Bay and ultimately graduated from PACI in 1976. Following high school Gary attended Confederation College for a diploma in marketing and eventually followed his love of history to study at Lakehead University. He received his Bachelor of Education Degree in 1986 majoring in history with a minor in English. His career path of teaching took him to many high schools across the city, always trying to instill the same love of history that he had in his students. He made lifelong friends at many of the schools he taught at until his retirement in 2014. Until the time of his death, Gary worked at European Meats as the Receiver in the back of the shop. He loved this job and the people he worked with and met in day-to-day interactions. He felt blessed and was grateful to be a part of this business.
Family was everything to Gary. He met the love of his life Michelle, in October 1997. They fell head over heels quickly and were engaged by April of 1998 with a December wedding planned for the same year. The early part of their marriage saw the purchase of a small house, the addition of a cat and many trips. They took trips to Toronto, Winnipeg, Newfoundland, and Mexico. In 2006 they welcomed twins, Aidan and Peyton, who quickly became the apples of Gary’s eye. Gary’s patience was boundless when it came to his children. Never wanting to be too hard on them, he had a gentle side that would attempt to correct any wrong doings or inappropriate behaviours. Hours were spent playing with them in younger years downstairs in the basement creating museum replicas as well as building forts outside or even in the living room. In later years, Gary was always willing to play taxi driver whenever either one needed a ride and to any place they wanted to go. He enjoyed hearing each one talk of their days and would quietly smile at the different adventures they would have encountered. His family meant the world to him, and he would do anything to protect and provide for them.
Gary loved people. He enjoyed the many hockey evenings he hosted inclusive of food, beverages and banter should a Bruins or Leafs fan be in the company. He treasured his time on the links with golfing friends at a variety of courses throughout the city. He loved his church family where he served as a greeter, usher and snow shoveller worshiping the Lord God with all his heart who had redeemed and saved him from an eternal death. Gary’s final gift of love to people was being an organ donor through the Trillium Foundation/Organ donation chapter in Thunder Bay. Because of this gift, others continue to live and enjoy life. Many thanks to the many nurses, doctors and staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Intensive Care Unit. Your kindness and skills made a difficult time less painful.
Gary was predeceased by his father George (2011), mother Colleen (2012), and nephew Timothy Jewell (2005). He leaves to mourn his wife Michelle, son Aidan and daughter Peyton, brother Dan Somerfield, sister Wendy Gunn, sister Debbie (John) Mikkelson, and sister-in-law Jodi (Cory) Jewell. Nieces and nephews Colleen and Erik Mikkelson, Emilie and Seth Jewell, and Bailey Jewell (Ryan).
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Grace Church, 289 Court St. N., Thunder Bay, Ontario with a reception to follow in the Austin Stouffer Fellowship Hall downstairs. In lieu of flower, charitable memorial gifts may be made to Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre ICU Ward, MEMO (Medical Equipment Modernization Opportunity), or a charity of your own choice.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
Sources
In Search of My Father. Page 16. [5]
Chronicle-Journal, August 2011. [6]
Military medal dealer list. [7]
OMSA Collectors Market Place newsletter, 1985. [8]
Rate My Teachers [9]
Northwest Medal. Accessed via Wayback Machine, 31 May 2013. [10]
Obituary https://www.snnewswatch.com/obituaries/gary-george-somerfield-9693670