MAPLETON – Jerry R. Desmond Sr., 77, loving husband, father, grand-father and friend, died Monday, Oct. 29, 2007, at a Bangor hos-pital. He was born Feb. 23, 1930, in Island Falls, the son of Pearl and Gertrude (Stairs) Desmond. Jerry attended Island Falls schools, graduating in 1947 from Island Falls High School where he was an outstanding athlete. After graduation, he joined the Army and served in Eritrea, Africa, as a cryptographer. He was called “Jack Armstrong, All American Boy” by his Army buddies, not only for his athletic ability, but also for his clean-cut, youthful image. On returning home, he married his high school sweetheart, Mabel J. (Lenentine) Desmond. He enrolled at ASTC to become a teacher, graduating in 1954 from University of Maine – Presque Isle with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He started his teaching career at Mapleton High School, where he also coached baseball and basketball. When the new Skyway School opened, he taught grade nine general business and coached baseball. Moving to Presque Isle High School, he was a civics and history instructor and taught driver education as an extra curricular program. He was the golf team coach and umpired baseball, was a member of the Northern Maine Board of Approved Umpires and served as president. He also served as president of MSAD No. 1 Teachers Association, served on MSAD No. 1 School Board for nine years, was secretary and pres-ident of Mapleton Lion’s Club and advisor for the Washington, D.C. Close Up Organization for 10 years. He also taught adult education and was a member of AREA, MEA, NEA and AARP. Jerry loved history and was a Civil War historian. He loved sports as a participant and as a spectator. He played baseball for the Island Falls Athletic Club and the Presque Isle Indians. He also played softball for the Presque Isle Hummingbirds. He was a longtime member of the Pres-que Isle Country Club, where he enjoyed golfing with good friends. Jerry was recently honored as a charter member at the 50th Charter Night Anniversary of the Mapleton Lion’s Club. Jerry enjoyed visiting historic sites in Pennsylvania, Geor-gia, Tennessee, Arizona and Louisiana with his son, Jerry Jr. They also visited the archives in Augusta and Washington, D.C., researching Civil War history and the life of his great-grandfather, Cornelius J. Desmond, corporal of Co. E 15th Maine Volunteer Regiment. Surviving, in addition to his wife of 56 years, are two sons, Jerry Jr. and his wife, Cherry, of Rome, Ga., and Jed and his wife, Madelene, of Presque Isle; two daughters, Ronnee and her husband, Danny Johnston, of Medway, and Jennifer of Presque Isle; eight grandchildren, Lucas, Micah, Erin, Seth, Logan, Ethan, Wilder and Caroline; a great-granddaughter, Olivia; sisters, Betty Quint of Patten, Katherine Merrill of Presque Isle and Sharon Porter of Old Town; brothers, Dale of Crystal, Donald of Portsmouth, N.H., and Kenneth of Easton; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; and brothers, Lloyd and Terry. Relatives and friends may call 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St., Presque Isle. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with the Revs. Kenneth Phelps and Dave Goupille officiating. Interment will be at South Side Cemetery, Mapleton. Donations may be made in his memory to Mapleton Lion’s Club, P.O. Box 175, Mapleton, ME 04757. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com
JERRY R. DESMOND SR.
