Chauncey C. Gerry

Chauncey Charles Gerry, 79, of 875 Sokokis Trail, died Sunday afternoon at his home after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, with his family at his bedside. He was born in Parsonsfield, ME July 10, 1925, a son of Audley and Bernice (Woodward) Gerry Boothby.Chauncey attended Waterboro and Hollis schools and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1942. He served in WWII and was discharged in 1946. He returned to Waterboro to complete high school in Hollis and fight the 1947 forest fire. He then reenlisted in the Marines and served a total of 30 years before retiring as a Gunnery Sergeant in 1968 and moving back to North Waterboro. During his years in the Marines he served in the Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam War. He met and married his wife, Cecil "Dustie" Rhodes, while serving as a Drill Instructor at Parris Island, SC in 1952. Together they raised 7 children.Since retiring to Waterboro, he was a dedicated and patriotic former Marine and was a loyal, kind, and caring giver to the community he loved. As somewhat of a local icon, he lived a purpose driven life. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked...and to some who didn't! He served as a former York County Deputy Sheriff, Animal Control Officer, Constable, Parade Grand Marshall and was always active in local politics. He was a loving and caring father and grandfather as well as an avid NASCAR fan and sports enthusiast.He was a member of Freedom Masonic Lodge in Limerick, Massabesic Lions Club in Waterboro, and Brown-Emmons Post American Legion in Alfred and was active in these organizations for many years.He was predeceased by his wife, "Dustie" in 1999 and a daughter, Karen in 1960.Survivors include 4 sons: Colin and Marie Gerry of Biddeford, Darryl and Claire Gerry of Alfred, Bryan and Judy Gerry of Wayne, Kevin and Anthea Gerry of Spotsylvania, VA; 3 daughters: Valerie and Norman Lachance of Alfred, Sharon Gerry of Boynton Beach, FL, Janis and Robert Johnson of E. Waterboro; 2 brothers: Keith A. Gerry of N. Waterboro, Kermit O. Gerry of S. Waterboro; 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.Friends and relatives are invited to visit at the Heald Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale, on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 from 2 to 4 & 6 to 8 pm. A funeral service will be held at 11 am Thursday, December 23, 2004 at the North Waterboro Community Baptist Church. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Chauncey's name may be made to North Waterboro Ccommunity Baptist Church, P. O. Box 3, N. Waterboro, ME 04061 or Massabesic Lions Club, P. O. Box 82, Alfred, ME 04002.To send condolences, click on www.healdfuneral.com.