Canadian Pro-life film producer Peter Gerretsen dies From Lung Cancer
By Paul Tuns
The Interim
Peter Gerretsen, a film producer, Ryerson University instructor and a long time pro-life supporter, died August 16 after losing his battle with lung cancer.
Born in the Netherlands in 1939, Peter emigrated to Canada as a teen. He later married Patricia, whom he met in the film industry, where he worked as a writer, director and producer.
In her book Silhouettes Against the Snow: Profiles of Canadian Defenders of Life, Interim columnist Grace Petrasek described Peter and Pat as total partners in life, “in marriage, in business and now in Pat’s recovery.”
They have three children, Philip, Becky and Mary and five grandchildren. They recall their father’s ability to keep them laughing, even in his final months when it became obvious he would succumb to cancer.
In 1974, Peter and Pat founded Gerretsen Film Productions. The couple ran the company out of their home, with Peter drawing on his professional background in the industry to write and direct the films and Pat running the administrative side of the company, as well as editing.
GFP produced pro-life films such Two is a Crowd, The Slippery Slope and the feature film The Kidnapping of Baby Doe. The videos were distributed in Canada and internationally.
LifeSite managing director Steve Jalsevac told The Interim that the Gerretsens, whom he greatly admired, were “pioneers in creating top-notch movie productions with life defending themes.” He added that, “Pro-lifers can be proud of the messages that were created professionally and so convincingly by this dynamic couple.”
GFP also produced material for several Toronto-area pro-life groups including Birthright, Campaign Life Coalition and Toronto Right to Life, and educational videos such as The Grief of Miscarriage for Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital. Gerretsen Film Productions was also one of the first companies to advertise in The Interim in 1983. CLC national president Jim Hughes, The Interim’s first editor, said that without the financial support of dedicated pro-lifers like Peter Gerretsen, The Interim would not be around today.
Throughout his career, Peter directed 20 feature films and more than 200 commercials, winning more than 30 awards of merit from organizations such as the Art Director’s Club of Toronto, the US Film Festival and the Canadian Film Awards. He was also nominated for two Genies and two Geminis.
Peter would later teach cinema at Ryerson University in Toronto.
In 1989, Pat suffered a stroke and was left with only partial use of her right arm and leg. Peter cared for her and their young family during his wife’s rehabilitation. He visited her daily in hospital during that long rehabilitation in 1989, and worked with Pat toward the recovery of her speech.
Although she never regained full use of her right arm and leg, when Pat was once again able to walk and communicate, the Gerretsens returned to pro life activism and were regular attendees of pro-life conferences, strategy meetings and other events. Until earlier this year, Peter still dropped off and picked up Pat at the CLC’s Toronto office where she worked once a week as a volunteer.
Peter is survived by his wife, three children, five grandchildren (Conor, Rowan, Aidan, Sofia and Abigail) and brother, John Gerretsen, currently Ontario’s minister of municipal affairs and housing.
Friends may visit at the Trull ”North Toronto” Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge Street (5 blocks south of Lawrence) on FrIday, August 19th from 2-4 and 7-9p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Monica’s on Saturday, August 20th at 11 a.m. Donations in Peter’s name can be made to Lung Cancer Canada, 416-785-3439.Ã