Gerry grew up in Skaneateles, New York, and joined the Navy in 1945 (after his first attempt to join before his 18th birthday was thwarted). He traveled twice to China on a Navy ship and, upon his return, attended and graduated with a Master’s degree in engineering from Clarkson University in 1952.
He and Pat met on April 6, 1951 on the streets of Potsdam and were married in Big Moose Chapel in the Adirondacks four months later on August 25. They moved to Webster, NY and raised their daughters there before retiring to the house Gerry grew up in on Vinegar Hill in Skaneateles.
Gerry was an engineer through and through, building the house on Dickenson Road in Webster, a cottage on Skaneateles Lake and restoring the old farmhouse on Vinegar Hill. He never wanted for a “project” and was entirely interested in the process of each one.
He was a loving and generous father who took the family on adventures as much as possible - a car trip around Lake Ontario, frequent skiing in Vermont and Maine, camping, swimming, trips to Florida, Colorado and California, Europe and even Moscow.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, August 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, 49 Jordan Street, Skaneateles, NY. The family will host a gathering following the calling hours at 4457 Vinegar Hill Road, Skaneateles, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank Hospice of Central New York for their guidance and support.