Gerald L Dunham

Gerald Louis Dunham, 101, passed away peacefully in the care of Maine Veteran’s Home in Scarborough on September 2, 2023. He was born in Sanford, Maine on May 8, 1922, to parents James and Margaret (Wright) Dunham. He spent his childhood hunting, fishing, and building model airplanes. During the height of the Great Depression, he was temporarily sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Brockton, MA. It is here where he was said to have met a “tough kid” on the streets of Brockton named Rocky Marciano. Gerald graduated from Sanford High School in 1941. Upon graduation, he attended Erskine College in South Carolina. He began training to become a pilot and airplane mechanic, mastering the WWI biplane. After his freshman year, he was drafted into the United States Army. Gerald served as a private in Company B of the 363rd division of the 91st infantry. He was sent to the mountains of Italy to fight Germans under the command of General Mark Wayne Clark. It was during the Battle of Monte Cassino when, singlehandedly, Gerald overthrew a German pillbox and captured 5 German soldiers. For this gallantry in action, he was promoted to private first class, awarded the Silver Star, and nominated for the Medal of Honor. He also earned 3 bronze stars for his service. Upon honorable discharge from the Army in October 1945, Gerald worked night and day to make ends meet. In 1947, he opened a grocery store called Jerry’s Market. He regularly worked 105 hours per week: 40 hours in the mill and 65 hours unpaid at the store. After several years, the store flourished and became a brand in the Sanford community. In October 1952, he married his lifelong partner Amber Joanne Burgess. Together, they had 3 children. Jerry continued to operate the store (retiring at age 88), while Amber cared for their children and maintained the home. During this time, Jerry enjoyed raising and racing homing pigeons. After the children left home, he and Amber enjoyed many adventures traveling to destinations such as England, France, Greece, Mexico, and Bermuda. In his later years, Jerry enjoyed woodworking, cooking, and gardening. Jerry is predeceased by his wife of 63 years Amber Dunham, parents James and Margaret, and siblings Violet, James, Sally, Geraldine, and Lela. He is survived by his brother Bob and Betty Dunham, children Mark and Tina Dunham, Peter Dunham and Donna Nadeau, and Jane and Michel Ross. He was also adored by his grandchildren Jessica Clough, Justine Repolt, Cameron Eisenhour, Samantha Dunham, Calvin Eisenhour, and Danielle Dunham, and great-grandsons William and Sawyer. A celebration of life will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 28th, 2023, at Black Funeral Home in Springvale. A luncheon will be held following at the North Parish Congregational Church located on Main Street in Springvale. Both Jerry and Amber will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.