Gerald Gordon 'aka The Tahltan Fiddler' Edzerza

January 12, 1930 - July 27, 2022
Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Great Uncle, Great Great Uncle.
Gerald Edzerza was born January 12, 1930 in Telegraph Creek. He was the oldest son of George (Agouta) Edzerza and Grace Creyke Edzerza and served as the Patriarch of the Edzerza Family. Gerald was a member of the Wolf Clan, aka Nosjak of the Etzenlee Family, and the Tahltan Nation.
Gerald grew up speaking the Tahltan language and spent his early years on the trapline with his Dad. Gerald spoke about a three-month trapping trip with his Dad that started in Telegraph Creek, up to the Nahanni River in the NWT and back through the Yukon to Telegraph Creek. Trapping was done with a dog team.
He learned to play stringed instruments but it was clear that his favourite was the fiddle. Gerald loved to travel to the many music events in the North and was well known at the Moosehide Festival where he not only played music for the event but taught the young audience on the finer points of fiddling.
Gerald went to work at an early age and worked many years in highway maintenance in Good Hope Lake, Atlin, Whitehorse and Watson Lake. He became a very good grader operator and eventually bought a grader and contracted it out after leaving the Yukon Highway's Maintenance job.
Gerald and Lil Hasselberg were married November 18, 1952 in Lower Post at the Catholic Church. They had two children - Eileen (Sembsmoen) and Gordon in Lower Post, B.C.
Grandchildren - Johnny (Karen), Ralph, Davy (Lois), Lily (Chris), David, Sean (Ellen)
Great-Grandchildren - Melia, Mattias, Chloe, Eddie, Arnold, Paige, Keegan
Gerald was predeceased by; his Mom and Dad, George (Agouta) Edzerza and Grace Creyke Edzerza, sisters; Rosemary, Ethel, Thelma, June, Louise and brothers; Buddy, Don, Arnold, Johnny.
At the age of 50, Gerald learned how to fly small-fixed wing aircrafts and bought a plane with his brother-in-law Freddy. They took many a flight together. They staked a placer claim up the Liard River and took equipment up on a river boat to operate the claim.
Gerald was a valued member of the Tahltan Elders Council for many years and always had an interest in the evolution of the Tahltan government.
Gerald will be dearly missed by everyone; he touched so many with his vibrant ways; however, we sincerely believe this is not goodbye, for we will meet again.
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A Service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral August 07, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
Dinner to follow at Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre at 5:00 pm.