Gerry Clark

DELMAR - Gerry A. Clark, 84, passed away peacefully July 6, 2012 at his home. Born June 1, 1928 in Los Angeles, California, he was the son of the late Slade F. Clark and Emily (Bancroft) Clark. Gerry spent his childhood in the Sullivan County village of Wurtsboro and graduated from Monticello High School in 1946. He was a Boy Scout, and loved to spend his summers swimming at Yankee Lake. As a member of his high school track team, he had the distinction of participating in the Penn Relays. After high school, he enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Pine Island, traveling to Antarctica, South America., and China. After his military service, Gerry graduated from Rider College on the GI Bill earning a BS in business administration in 1952. Gerry married Agnes Gabrielsen on September 3, 1950. They lived in Liberty, NY until 1957, when career opportunities led them to relocate to Delmar. For most of his career, Gerry was employed as a sales representative for medical supply companies. He was a salesman for John Hancock Life Insurance Co. After his retirement from sales, Gerry and his business partner and friend, Donald Herzog, operated a small construction/home repair business in Delmar. Throughout his life, Gerry had a strong interest in his community. In the 1960's, he coached a Bethlehem Babe Ruth team. He was a 55 year member of the First United Methodist Church of Delmar serving on several committees. He particularly enjoyed singing in the choir. He was a member of the Nathaniel Adams Blanchard American Legion. Gerry was always there to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He took pride maintaining his home and property, and until his recent illness, did all of the lawn mowing and snow blowing himself. Gerry enjoyed family vacations to Cape Cod and Maine. He enjoyed visiting his daughters and their families in Texas, and spending weekends with his daughters and families living in New York. He loved to play golf, and followed the Mets, Yankees, and NY Giants on TV. The primary focus of Gerry's life was his family. He was a loving father to his daughters and a beloved "Pop" to his grandchildren and great grandsons. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Agnes, and his four daughters: Judith Aidala and her husband Gregory of Salem, NY, Linda Griffin and her husband Glenn of Corpus Christi, Texas, Laurie Olson and her husband Eric of Dallas, Texas, and Lisa Phelps and her husband Brian of Fulton, NY. He is survived by ten grandchildren Katherine Vorlage, Daniel Aidala, Bethany Salmon, Clark Griffin, Eric Olson, Sarah Olson, Glenn Griffin, Emily Olson, Andrew Johanson, and Kyra Phelps. He was the proud great grandfather of Ripp Griffin and Peter Vorlage. Friends may call from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday, July 12th at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar. The funeral will be on Friday, July 13th at 10 AM at the First United Methodist Church in Delmar. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Delmar. Gerry's family would like to thank his in-home hospice caregivers for their steadfast help and support. The family suggests memorial donations to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.