Antonio Benito Paa Gaerlan
The Song of St Francis goes, “Make me a channel of your peace…” This was not just one of Boyet’s favorite songs but he lived it. He touched many lives with his kind and generous heart. He was a hard worker. No job was too low for him. He did them all with a smile and a “can do” attitude.
This beautiful child of God came into this world on the 4th of July in 1966 in the town of Sta. Cruz, province of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines. There were always fireworks on his birthday, although that was to celebrate something else. Boyet attended the local Catholic high school, Sta. Cruz Institute, where he thrived as a student leader and music group leader, befriending students at all levels. He was always surrounded by kids who would run to do his bidding because he was generous with his attention.
He finished college at the Philippine School of Business Administration with a degree in Business Administration. He worked for the Commission on Elections at the Municipal level before immigrating to Toronto, Canada with is daughter to join his wife who had moved there ahead of them. In Canada he held several jobs including one at a Honda dealership and last as a member of the Environmental Services team at one of the hospitals. In Canada, Boyet connected with old friends from his childhood and made new ones. He was an active member of his hometown group the Sta. Cruzinians. He volunteered countless hours behind the scenes building props and preparing the stage for his daughter’s performing group. All came to know and love him because he was a kind and generous man.
In Toronto, Ontario, on January 13, 2021, Antonio Benito Paa Gaerlan, or Boyet as he was fondly called, heard that final knock at his door and he opened it to find a special messenger come to tell him that his work was done and that it was time to come home. Delighted by this news, he gave a virtual hug to his daughter Vianne, his wife Vickie, his mother Prisca, his sisters Dina, Rita & family, Teresita & family, and his brother Emilio Jr & family, waved goodbye to his nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, in-laws, then turned and followed the messenger to God’s heavenly kingdom where his father Emilio Sr and his baby brother Ricardo were waiting, along with his grandfathers and grandmothers, and numerous relatives and friends. What a welcome home party it must have been, as everyone knows, Boyet loved a good party, especially when there’s a lot of great food, drinks and good company.
Beloved by all of his family, relatives and friends, Boyet will live on in the hearts of all who have come to know him.
Please remember Boyet and celebrate his life by practicing kindness and generosity to others.
Visitation and Virtual Viewing will be on Monday, January 18, 2021 from 5pm to 9pm at 2960 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
https://memorials.dufferin.bernardofuneralhomes.com/antonio-gaerlan/4491657/index.php?_ga=2.133494796.363069758.1610832519-1831458958.1610832519