Tributes have this week been paid to the President of Burnham-On-Sea Chamber of Trade, who has sadly passed away.
Gerry Germain, pictured, died over Christmas following a two-year battle with lung cancer.
Gerry, 92, was a well-known face about Burnham, having run the town’s Castle Antiques shop for many years, where he bravely fought off armed robbers no fewer than three times.
Born in Cardiff in 1919, he began his working life at the steelworks before a stretch of war service in the RAF as a Sergeant.
Between 1955 and 1959 he was a prison warder in Cyprus, but was forced to return home during the Greek/Turkish troubles. He drove home across Europe and started an antiques business in the UK.
Castle Antiques was established in Chepstow in 1964, where he opened a shop opposite the castle. Later, a further shop was opened in Cheltenham and he moved to Burnham-On-Sea in 1986 to launch his third shop.
Gerry lived in Steart Drive, Burnham until the death of his wife Irene in 2002. He spent the last years of his life living at the Clarence Hotel with his daughter on Burnham seafront.
For many years, he was treasurer of the Somerset and Dorset RAF Regiment Association, and he was also active within Burnham Chamber of Trade as its honorary President.
Gerry passed away peacefully on December 21st and always said he would never have changed anything about his life. He had five children and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Gerry was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in 2009 and friends say he never complained of pain, only aches.
Gerry’s funeral will be held at Weston Crematorium on 4th January at 2.30pm. Flowers or donations will go towards Weston Hospice. The wake will be held at the Royal Clarence afterwards. The family says anyone who knew him is welcome.
Burnham Chamber of Trade Chairman Rhonda Mills told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Gerry was a very special person who showed such enthusiasm for the town and the Chamber of Trade. He is greatly missed.”
