HAMPDEN – It is with love and tremendous sadness that my mother and I announce the passing of our beloved father and husband. Jerry died as he lived, unexpectedly. His presence in all our lives was so incredible, we learned to love through him, we learned to laugh through him and we learned the value of life from him. He was and always will be our “Forever Love.” “Never say goodbye, goodbye means forever, just say, see ya later.” Gerald, 62, the husband of Jeanne (Ross) Stratton, passed away unexpectedly, July 3, 2005, surrounded by his beloved family at his home in Hampden. He was born in Newburgh, Sept. 18, 1942, the son of Gerald E. and Jessie (Foshay) Stratton. Jerry was a graduate of Hampden Academy, Class of 1962, and lived most of his life in Hampden. He was a heavy equipment operator for several construction companies during his life, most recently for Vaughn Thibodeau and Sons. Jerry had served his country in the Air National Guard, retiring with 23 years of service. He was a member of Mystic Masonic Lodge No. 65 A.F. & A.M. of Hampden and Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor. He loved watching NASCAR, especially Ricky Craven, and playing ping-pong with his grandchildren. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother, whose focus in life was always on his family. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Jeanne of Hampden; his loving daughter, Carol McCullagh and her husband, Bill, of Old Town; his mother, Jessie Dupray of New Port Richey, Fla.; one brother, John Dupray; two sisters, Carolyn Marina and her husband, Joe, and Bonnie Graves, all of Fla.; six grandchildren, Matthew, Thomas, Emma, John, Vincent, Gabrielle; one niece, Sherri Wight of South Carolina, and two nephews, Joseph and Phillip Marina of Florida. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald E. Stratton; his stepfather, John Dupray; and a niece, Lisa Wight. Visiting hours will be held 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., Thursday at the Hampden-Gilpatrick Funeral Home, 45 Western Ave., Hampden, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Friday with the Rev. Mark Fowler, pastor of the Community Church of the Open Door of Hampden, officiating. At Jerry’s request, please do not wear a suit or tie to the services; casual clothing is what he always preferred. Interment will be in Locust Grove Cemetery, Hampden. After the services his family invites relatives and friends to celebrate his life by joining them at their home on the Coldbrook Road in Hampden. Memorial gifts may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Attn: Communications Department, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814, please memo the check with Jerry’s name on it. Messages of condolence or memories may be shared through www.hampdengilpatrick.com
GERALD M. ‘JERRY’ STRATTON
