TEWKSBURY: Charles W. Gerrard, age 79, a resident of North Tewksbury for more than 40 years, died Friday, June 3, 2005 at his home following a brief illness.
He was the husband of Dorothy (Skamarycz) Gerrard with whom he recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on April 21st.
Born in Gardner, Mass. on November 26, 1925, he was the son of the late William C. and Elaine (Hilchey) Gerrard.
He attended Gardner schools and was graduated from Gardner High School. Mr. Gerrard later graduated from the Wentworth Institute of Technology.
He served during World War II in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. LSM # 39. Mr. Gerrard was awarded several decorations including the World War II Victory Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Star, the American Theatre Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal with 3 Stars.
Prior to his retirement, he was employed for 37 years as a relay technician by the New England Power Service Company.
Mr. Gerrard was a longtime member, past deacon and choir member of the First Baptist Church of Tewksbury.
He was a member of the Wamesit Lodge AF & AM of Tewksbury, the Alleppo Temple Shriners of Wilmington, the Bektash Temple Shriners of Concord, New Hampshire, Town Travelers Square Dance Club of Lowell and the Sixteen Footers Square Dance Club of Littleton. In addition, he was a dedicated volunteer at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston for 15 years.
Mr. Gerrard enjoyed many activities including; square dancing, gardening, operating his H.A.M. Radio at K1MAV, attending the U.S.S. LSM # 39 reunions and vacationing at his home in Orleans.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter; Brenda L. Creed of Somersworth, NH; three sons; Peter S. Gerrard and his wife Patricia of Manchester, NH, Stephen C. Gerrard of Warner, NH and William T. Gerrard and his wife Barbara of Prescott Valley, AZ; four sisters; Ruth LeBlanc and Etta May LeBlanc both of Gardner, Peggy Gallant and her husband Edgar of Spencer and Mary Laber and her husband Barry of Nashua, NH; one brother; John W. Gerrard of Leicester; six grandchildren; Heather Gerrard Conklin of Spokane, WA, Jamie A. Gerrard of Nashua, NH, Sarah A. Gerrard of Manchester, NH, Emily Gerrard of Goshen, NH, Matthew Gerrard of Warner, NH and Jonathan Creed of Somersworth, NH; three great grandsons; Charles Conklin, IV of Spokane, WA , Dylan Gerrard of Nashua, NH and Aaron Gerrard of Lowell; also many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Calling hours Tuesday, June 7th from 4-8 p.m. (Masonic Service at 7 p.m.) at the FARMER & DEE FUNERAL HOME, 16 LEE ST., TEWKSBURY and Wednesday, June 8th from 9-10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1500 Andover St., Rte. 133, Tewksbury. Services to follow at the Church. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or to the First Baptist Church, 1500 Andover St., Tewksbury, MA 01876 are requested.