Catholic School Board mourns loss of long-serving trustee

A news release issued today reports that long-serving Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) trustee, Gerarld Beerkens, passed away last Thursday.

Beerkens first joined the board in 1973, serving schools north of Sault Ste. Marie in a variety of capacities.

He was presented an Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association Award of Merit in 2013.

Full text of the news release issued by the HSCDSB follows:

The Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (HSCDSB) is mourning the passing of former trustee Gerarld Beerkens.

Beerkens, a native of Holland and long-time resident of Wawa, passed away on Oct. 8, 2020.

A former high school teacher, Beerkens began his journey as a Catholic trustee in 1973 with the Michipicoten District Roman Catholic Separate School Board (MDRCSSB). He retired as a trustee of HSCDSB in 2010.

“It is sad to hear of Gerald’s passing. He was a man of integrity and was always focused on what was best for the students in our care,” said HSCDSB Board of Trustees Chair, Lindsay Liske.

As a trustee of the MDRCSSB, Beerkens was instrumental in the successful amalgamation of HSCDSB in 1998 and was elected vice-chair of the board at its inception. He held that position until 2000 and then again from 2001 to 2004. He was elected chair of the board in 2004-2005.

Beerkens was the representative for schools north of Sault Ste. Marie.

In 2013, Beerkens’ service and accomplishments as a Catholic trustee were recognized when he was given the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association Award of Merit.