Earland C. Gerry

Earland C. Gerry, 88, a lifelong resident of Newfield, died November 7 at the Newton Center in Sanford after a lengthy illness.He was born in Newfield on December 1, 1918, the son of Curtis W. and Amy (Dunnells) Gerry, attended Newfield schools and was a graduate of the former Ethan Stone High School.Mr. Gerry was an entrepreneur with a keen and active mind. On March 15, 1941, he married Harriet Carmichael. They went into poultry farming first as employees then with their own farm. From 1955 until 1978 they owned and operated Limerick Gulf at the intersection of Routes 5 and 160 in Limerick village. In 1970 they began to sell and service snowmobiles, one of the first dealers in the area. He continued in this endeavor until 1991 when he retired. In his retirement, he continued to sell used cars. During these years he also plowed snow for the towns of Limerick and Newfield. Family members recalled that he was very serious about business, but that he had a mischievous sense of humor. They also said that he took pride in doing business honestly and with integrity.He was a member of the Newfield United Methodist Church where he was active in the suppers and in property maintenance.Back in the time of the old Ossipee Valley Town League, he was active as a player/manager on the Newfield town baseball team. He even ran the concession stand. Back in the 1960's, he raced stock cars at Beech Ridge Speedway. And every fall, he got his deer. He was a member of the Route 11 Streakers Snowmobile Club. The club will dedicate a new trail called Gerry's Loop, in December in Newfield. Earland and Harriet were such proponents of snowmobiling in the area, that they are considered by many the "grandparents of snowmobiling" in Limerick/Newfield.He was predeceased by a daughter, Beverly Acheson in 2001 and by a sister, Avis Fein in 1998.Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Harriet C. Gerry of Newfield, 5 children, Jim Gerry and his wife Sandra of Waterboro, who provided care for him in his illness in their home this past year, Bernie Gerry and his wife Kathy of Limerick, Gene Gerry and his wife Marlene of Newfield, Marge Calabrese of Maui, HI, Gloria Dyer and her husband Larry of Newfield, a sister, Marilyn Anderson of Homosassa, FL, 21 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main Street, Springvale on Saturday from 2-4 PM. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Sunday at 1:00 PM with Pastor Lyn Kellis of the Newfield United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Newfield.Condolences may be expressed by clicking on the "Condolences" tab at left.