COCOA, Fla., and PITTSFIELD – Jerry J. Rickard, 67, passed away July 24, 2009, surrounded by his loving family at his daughter’s home in Cocoa, Fla., after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born Dec. 19, 1941, in Niagara, N.Y., the son of Yvonne Greeley and Chester Rickard. Jerry grew up on the Tuscarora Indian Reservation near Niagara Falls, N.Y. He left home at 16 to join the Army, where he served in Korea as a tank specialist. Jerry met Donna Neal, the love of his life, Oct. 21, 1963. After a whirlwind courtship, they married about two weeks later, Nov. 4, 1963. Together they raised four children, Timothy, Barry, Lori and Corey. He enjoyed every moment with his family. Jerry worked for the West Palm Beach Post and for the Maine Department of Transportation. He enjoyed working as a volunteer firefighter for Pittsfield Fire Department. In later years, Jerry enjoyed traveling the country with Donna and her mother, Violet Neal. They explored much of the United States, including Colorado and New Mexico, before settling permanently in Florida. Jerry loved everything that involved his family whether it be playing with a grandchild or watching a football game. He enjoyed talking to people and could often be found striking up a conversation with someone while having coffee at the local store. Jerry is survived by his wife, Donna of Cocoa, Fla.; and children, Timothy and his wife, Colleen, of St. George, Barry and his wife, Pam, of Eastbrook, Lori and her husband, Dan, of Cocoa, Fla., and Corey and his wife, Bridget, of Orland. He enjoyed his eight grandchildren, Kristin, Megan, Matthew, Heather, Ashley, Jessica, D.J. and Bryan. He also enjoyed his four great-grandchildren, Randi, Hayden, Chandler and Maddison. He is also survived by three sisters, Margo Broughton of Youngstown, N.Y., Shirley Delgado of Hollywood, Fla., and Linda LePress of Niagara Falls, N.Y. He was predeceased by his parents; and by Violet Neal, his mother-in-law who lived with them for 18 years. Jerry was very fond of Violet and considered it a privilege to be a caregiver during her illness. Donations may be made in Jerry’s memory to help fund research for pancreatic cancer at Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245.
JERRY J. RICKARD
