MERIDEN, Conn. – Gerald “Rusty” E. Wallace, 90, died peacefully Saturday June 9, 2012, at his home. Born Oct. 16, 1921, in Howland, he was the son of the late James Gordon and Ellen (Lugdon) Wallace.
He was the husband of Florence (Pipicelli) Wallace, his loving wife of 65 years. Rusty grew up in Maine the oldest of 11 children. He proudly served as a military police in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. A longtime resident of Meriden, Conn., Rusty was employed as a caster for International Silver Co., retiring after 45 years of service. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 45. Rusty was a lifetime Red Sox fan. He had a woodworking shop called “The Bird Man of West Main Street,” where he enjoyed making birdhouses. Rusty was a hardworking man who loved his family dearly.
In addition to his beloved wife, Florence, Rusty is survived by his children, Dennis Wallace and wife, Rebecca, and Cheryl Bannan and husband, James; four grandchildren, Ryan Wallace and wife, Amanda, Matthew Wallace and wife, Freja, Jason Mitchell and wife, Amber, and Cristina St. Pierre and husband, Kevin; seven great-grandchildren, Nola and Eamonn Wallace, Zoe Folce, Madeline Wallace, Aidan Mitchell, and Gabrielle and Mitchell St. Pierre; two sisters, Gloria Jones and Ellen Danforth; two brothers, Frank Wallace and wife, Alice, and Ronald Wallace and wife, Emajean; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by two sisters, Theresa Jarvis and Rita Flemming; and four brothers, Sheldon Wallace, William Wallace, Leonard Wallace and Donald Wallace.
Family and friends are invited to pay their respects 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 16, at Stempien Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden, Conn., where a funeral service with military honors will begin 3:30 p.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Wallace may be made to Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care, 267 Finch Ave., Meriden, CT 06451. To send an online expression of sympathy, please visit
www.stempienfuneralhome.com.