ROCHESTER, N.H. – Gerald W. Wallace Jr., 50, passed away Oct. 14, 2011, at his home after a period of failing health. Born March 12, 1961, in Atlanta, son of Gerald and Colleen Wallace Sr., he was a devoted husband, stepfather and grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Janet; daughters, Lisa, Catherine, Jennifer, Kristen, Amanda and Katelyn; seven grandchildren; mother, Colleen of Cumberland; grandmother, Lois MacGregor; grandfather, Charles McDaniel; brothers, Stephen of Rockland and Michael of San Diego; nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Gerald Sr., who I am sure greeted him upon his arrival in heaven. After a discussion as to why he was there so early in life, I’m sure Gerald Sr. was showing Gerald Jr. around. He was a good man, an honest man; he was taken too soon in life like his father before him.
Gerald known as “Wes” to his family and friends, worked as a civil engineer at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for 25 years. He was a project manager for the shipyard, handling initiatives ranging from nuclear submarine pens to environmental restoration. He was a graduate of University of Maine, Orono. He prized his many dogs throughout the years and was always willing to take in an abandoned dog in need of a loving home. Computers and computer games were a passion of his, and as with engineering, he excelled. While in good health he enjoyed walks with his wife and dogs. His early years were dominated by sports, including football at Hampden Academy. Known as “Candy Man” to his teammates, named by his coach who said “watching him run was sweet like candy.” Winters were spent skiing and summers biking – anything with speed. Halfway was not in his vernacular. Wes will be missed by his family and friends.
The family asks that donations be made in Wes’ memory to New Hampshire SPCA, P.O. Box 196, 104 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, NH 03885 or 603-772-2921, as most of his dogs came from the SPCA.