December 20
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THE VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL<br />
2 www.TheValleyBusinessJournal.com<br />
<strong>December</strong> <strong>20</strong><strong>20</strong><br />
Wilson Creek Winery, famous for its world class wine and<br />
hospitality offerings, shared the loss of its beloved patriarch<br />
Gerry Wilson<br />
He was 90. He died peacefully<br />
with his family at his bedside.<br />
Gerald Raymond Wilson was<br />
born on April 7, 1930, in Billings,<br />
Montana. His family later moved<br />
to North Dakota then Minneapolis,<br />
Minnesota. Gerry attended the University<br />
of Minnesota where he was the<br />
Homecoming King and the president<br />
of his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. He<br />
was an ROTC officer and also sang in<br />
the prestigious university choir.<br />
He was happily married to Rosie<br />
Wilson for 67 years. He served in the<br />
Air Force in Korea as a Lieutenant.<br />
Gerry and Rosie had four kids whom<br />
they raised in Minnesota and then in<br />
South Pasadena, California. Gerry<br />
served as a Rotarian (L.A. #5) and<br />
on his church board. He worked in<br />
financial advising/sales in the same<br />
company for over 25 years. Every<br />
place Gerry and Rosie lived they<br />
became icons in their cities due to<br />
their warm hospitality and heart for<br />
others. Their home in South Pasadena<br />
became a gathering place as well as a<br />
refuge for anyone who needed a warm<br />
embrace, whether it was those from<br />
broken homes, exchange students, or<br />
anyone needing a good meal and a hug.<br />
When Rosie and Gerry were both almost<br />
60 years-old they adopted two more<br />
kids, Heather and Chris, who would’ve<br />
otherwise been raised in the foster system.<br />
Heather and Chris are thriving adults<br />
today with their own families. They both<br />
are deeply thankful for Gerry for literally<br />
saving their lives.<br />
Gerry founded Wilson Creek Winery<br />
with his family in <strong>20</strong>00. His motive to<br />
start the winery was to reunite his scattered<br />
family and to create a legacy that<br />
will endure through the generations. He<br />
poured his hard-earned retirement into<br />
the business so the family can come<br />
together again. Gerry’s love and graciousness<br />
towards others has been the<br />
heartbeat of the winery, even to this day.<br />
Today, his vision has become a reality<br />
and the family is united and the winery<br />
has become a place where people from<br />
all over the world can experience warm<br />
hospitality. He and Rosie lived in a manufactured<br />
home in the vineyards right<br />
next to the winery and were very present<br />
at the winery.<br />
Gerry is widely known for his kindness,<br />
compassion, love, and graciousness.<br />
He is a man who has enhanced the lives<br />
of thousands of people. His sparkling<br />
blue eyes and contagious smile warmed<br />
the hearts of those he encountered. He<br />
gave without conditions; he had a heart<br />
for the outsider or disadvantaged.<br />
Many on staff at Wilson Creek considered<br />
Gerry a kind of father figure who<br />
modeled unconditional love. Gerry left<br />
behind four generations of family who<br />
are all deeply thankful for his influence<br />
on their lives and who will proudly carry<br />
on his legacy. If greatness is measured by<br />
the amount one loves, gives, serves, and<br />
values others, Gerry was a giant of a man.<br />
The family is thankful for the overwhelming<br />
amount of support and love<br />
they have received from friends, family,<br />
staff, wine club members, church leaders,<br />
and community leaders. Each person who<br />
has emailed, called, texted, or visited<br />
has shared how much Gerry has meant<br />
to them. The common thread is that was<br />
a great man and the effect he has had on<br />
their lives is deep and profound.<br />
A Celebration of Life service at the<br />
winery will be announced shortly. For<br />
more information, please contact<br />
Wilson Creek Winery - marketing@<br />
wilsoncreekwinery.com.<br />
Wilson Creek Winery is a family-owned<br />
winery in the heart of Temecula<br />
Wine Country known for its<br />
quality wines and warm hospitality.<br />
The winery features a welcoming<br />
tasting room, full-service restaurant<br />
with expansive patio, creekside picnic<br />
area, indoor and outdoor conference<br />
and event spaces, romantic wedding<br />
venue and exclusive retreat accommodations.<br />
The Wilson family has<br />
built an extended-family community<br />
around the sharing of wine, food<br />
and hospitality, turning visitors into<br />
friends and wine lovers into ambassadors<br />
for the brand. Information about<br />
the winery, vineyards, events and how<br />
to become part of the Wilson’s extended<br />
wine community can be found<br />
online at WilsonCreekWinery.com or<br />
Facebook.com/WilsonCreekWinery.<br />
Wilson Creek Winery is located<br />
at 35960 Rancho California Rd., Temecula,<br />
CA 92591. Questions can be<br />
directed to 951.699.WINE (9463) or<br />
info@wilsoncreekwinery.com.
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