Dr. Gerald W. Sutherland

Dr. Gerald W. Sutherland, M.D., 91, of Holland, OH, passed away Thursday, March 18, 2021, after a life of commitment, service, and healing in the Greater Toledo area.

Gerry is survived by his wife Nora of Holland, OH; son Gary and wife Fran of Hilton Head, SC, and grandchildren Derek, Robert, and Lindsey; daughter Noralyn of Toledo, and grandchildren Ryan, Kevin, Caitlyn and Michael; son David and his wife Bonnie of Alexandria, VA, and grandchildren Andrew and Patrick; son Robert, wife Deanna of Copley, OH, and grandchildren Aimee and Gary. Gerry and Nora also have eleven great grandchildren ranging in ages from 11 years to 15 months.

Dr. Sutherland was born July 10, 1929 as a Canadian Citizen. He attended the University of Toronto and was a proud member of the undefeated 1951 Varsity Blues football team. After graduating first in his class in Physical Education he was commissioned as a Lieutenant of Armor in the Canadian Army’s Royal Canadian Dragoons and served from 1952 – 1954 in Germany and Canada.

He met the love of his life, Nora Johns, in 1953. Nora encouraged Gerry to pursue his dream of becoming a physician and with her support he attended the University of Toronto Medical School. Dr. Sutherland and Nora have been married for 66 years.

Dr. Sutherland was introduced to the Toledo area in 1958 when he began his internship at Toledo Hospital, and he went on to have a committed 45-year career as an Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine and joint replacement.

Gerry was committed to his profession and his community by teaching our next generation of physicians as a professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Medical College of Ohio/University of Toledo Medical College for more than 33 years. He was active in 12 different professional societies including a Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and Fellow, American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Sutherland was well-respected by the medical community and this led to his service as Chairman of the Orthopedic Guild; member and subsequent Chairman of the Ohio Orthopedic Society; Councilor and subsequent Chairman of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Chairman, Department of Orthopaedics, The Toledo Hospital; and, Chairman, Department of Surgery and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at The Toledo Hospital.

Along with his commitment to healing and the respect of the medical community, Dr. Sutherland devoted his time and skills as the Orthopaedic Consultant to the Bowling Green State University Athletics; medical consultant to Toledo sports teams including the Goaldiggers hockey team and Toledo Mud Hens. He was team physician for the Hillsdale College Varsity Hockey Team. He also served as the Chairman of the Board of the Northwest Ohio AAA and as a Board Member of the Sutherland Partnership, Inc. and on the Board of Advisors of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services. 

Gerry was an avid hockey fan, coach, and key player in creating Sylvania Metro Amateur Hockey League. He was one of the founding members of the Sylvania Tam O’Shanter Sports Complex.

Dr. Sutherland was a patriot and loved his adoptive country, the United States of America. It was this passion that led to him and his family, in 1979, becoming citizens. Gerry was an active member of the American Legion and loved sharing stories with other veterans.    

He was an avid skier and enthusiastic golfer. Because of the example he set and ability to share his passion and love of athletics and recreation, he leaves behind a family of outdoors enthusiasts.

A private memorial service will be held at Reeb Funeral Home in Sylvania, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you make a memorial donation in Gerry’s name to Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services at www.dixoncenter.org or by mail to: Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, The Fedcap Group, 633 3rd Avenue, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10017. Online condolences may be offered to Gerald’s family at

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