LACONIA ---- Gerard ‘Jerry’ J. Horn, 91, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Monday, February 12, 2024.
Jerry was born on January 17, 1933 in Belmont, NH to the late Thomas and Madeline (Dube) Horn.
He graduated with honors from Belmont High School in 1950 and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston in 1954. Shortly thereafter, he joined the US Navy where he served as a Pharmacist in Key West, Florida for two years - tough duty, as he would say!
Jerry met his best friend and wife, Yvonne, at the Double Decker Restaurant in Winnisquam, NH in 1957 and they married a year later. Together they had four children, and they provided them with a loving, nurturing, laughter filled home. Jerry and Yvonne moved their family into their new “camp” on Paugus Bay in Lakeport in June 1967, with the intention of using the camp for the summers only. It didn’t take long for them to realize that they would never leave the lake; this camp became their “forever home” where they would raise their children and literally spend the rest of their lives.
Living on Paugus Bay with a young family entailed endless summer days filled with swimming, fishing, boating and waterskiing, usually with Jerry behind the wheel of his 16-foot Glastron motorboat. He loved to pile his family into that boat and cruise around Lake Winnipesaukee, oftentimes ending up at Weirs Beach to take in the Sunday night fireworks and enjoy a little caramel corn on the Boardwalk. Jerry officially ended the boating season every year by taking any willing participants on a quick ride around Paugus Bay on Thanksgiving morning. The winter months involved skating, ice hockey and snowmobiling. And, on his rare days off, Jerry also loved to take his family to the White Mountains to enjoy the sites and attractions including the Cog Railway, Nature Land, Story Land and Clark’s Bears. These trips typically included a ride across The Kank and a stop or two at local ice cream shops.
Jerry was an amazing man who loved his family more than anything. He was kind and generous, incredibly smart, extremely funny and loved to laugh, often at his own jokes! He was hardworking, trustworthy and a tremendous role model. He was a genuine friend and well known within the community which he loved.
The highlight of Jerry’s professional career was being the proud owner and operator of the Lakeport Rexall Drugstore from 1964 to 1980. The drugstore was located in the Lakeport Opera House (formerly known as The Odd Fellows Building) which Jerry owned from 1966 to 2015. It is there where he became a highly respected and trusted member of his community. Working 7 days a week for many years, there is nothing he wouldn’t do for his loyal customers, including having Yvonne pack up the kids in the car and deliver prescriptions to the homebound. Yvonne was more than happy to help; they always put forth a true team effort in everything they did.
Aside from Jerry’s family and professional career, his passions included hiking, collecting antique cars, watching Notre Dame football, enjoying his Dunkin Donuts “decaf coffee and glazed stick” and eating his ice cream. As it relates to hiking, Jerry was initially reluctant to strap on his hiking boots and “bag some peaks”. However, he quickly fell in love with the mountains and his hiking journey began. Together with his Hiking Buddies - which included his son, Steve, and his friends Kurt, John, Dave, Bob and many others - he logged hundreds of hikes throughout the mountains of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. While he completed many rounds of NH’s 48 “4,000-Footers” in both the summer and the winter, one of his greatest hiking achievements was that he was the first person ever to hike all 48 4,000-footers in the winter after his 75th birthday! But, true to form for Jerry, more important than the number of mountains climbed, was the deep and life-long friendships he made with those Hiking Buddies. Even after he hung up his boots for the last time, the friendships with his Buddies continued, of course oftentimes over coffee and donuts.
Jerry was a devoted parishioner of St. Andre Bessette Parish and a proud member of the Lakeport Community Association.
Jerry is survived by his sons Stephen Horn and his wife Donna of Norwood, MA and Kevin Horn and his partner Kim Birrell of Helena, MT; daughter Patricia Horn and her husband James Kean of Hampton, NH; grandchildren Katherine Horn and Michael Horn of Norwood, MA; niece Janet Gilman and her husband David of Sanbornton, NH; niece Sandra White and her husband Donald of Alton, NH; foster daughter Wanda Morin and her husband Leo of Sanford, NC and their children Matthew, Mark and Heather. Jerry was predeceased by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Yvonne; son David Horn; brother Robert Horn and his wife Jean; nephew Michael Horn; sister-in-law Lorraine Walker and her husband Raymond; nephew Dennis Walker.
The family would like to thank the Lakes Region VNA and Hospice for the loving care they provided to Jerry over the course of the last several months and especially during his final days. They would also like to thank the caregivers and staff of Live Free Home Health Care for providing the support needed that allowed both Jerry and Yvonne to fulfill their strong desire to remain in their beloved home on Paugus Bay. And, finally, the family extends a special thanks to Father Marc Drouin for always providing incredible spiritual comfort and care (as well as many laughs), and to the Extraordinary Ministers of Communion who administered Communion, allowing Jerry to meaningfully participate in his faith while remaining at home.
For those who wish, the family suggests that you please consider a donation in Jerry’s name to the Lakes Region VNA and Hospice, 186 Waukewan Street #6023, Meredith, NH 03253.
A Calling Hour will take place on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, from 9:00am-10:00am, at St. Andre Bessette Parish – Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated following the calling hour, at 10:00am, at the church.
Mass will be live-streamed at http://www.standrebessette.org/livestream.html
Burial will follow Mass at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.