Home builder, WW II veteran, loved music, gardening, cars
Published in the February 24, 2016 edition
MELROSE — Mr. Warren A. Gerry, a Melrose resident and formerly of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 at Lawrence-Memorial Hospital in Medford at age 91.
Warren was born in Melrose on Jan. 1, 1925, one of eight children of the late Frederick B. and Josephine (Flynn) Gerry. He was raised in Wakefield, graduated from Wakefield High School and entered the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He served in Okinawa as a radio operator and was honorably discharged as a Corporal. Upon his return home, he began a longtime career in building construction. Warren was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
As a child of the Depression, Warren’s lifelong dedication to hard work and frugality was born at a young age. In his teens, he started working various jobs in an effort to help his parents support their large family. Hard work was a trademark of Warren.
As he got older, he found his life’s work as a building contractor, and over his nearly five-decade career he built dozens of houses in Melrose, Wakefield, Stoneham, Saugus and the surrounding area. He was known locally for his high-quality craftsmanship and finish work. Warren’s homes all feature a prominently displayed fleur-de-lis on a stained glass window as his signature. Warren taught carpentry to his sons and brought them into the business as well. At age 80, he finally stopped working and retired to care for his beloved wife Pauli.
In his free time, Warren enjoyed talking to anyone who would listen. He loved chatting with people, sharing stories and his sense of humor. Warren had a special affinity for Quebec and returned for family vacations many times. He loved music especially opera, the Boston Pops and the great Pavarotti. He loved playing pool, going to the flower and car shows every year and working on his house with his family.
His other passions, gardening and cars, filled any other spare time. Beside his home, he tended to a very large beautiful garden of flowers, tomatoes, carrots, eggplant, asparagus, lettuce, beans, peas, flowering plants and shrubs. He was always doing something and never stopped moving until the evening when he would relax on the couch with a box of Russo’s candies and a bowl of Russo’s ice cream. He also had a love for cars, in particular German cars. He had a great aptitude for anything mechanical and was great with his hands. He built and refurbished numerous cars over the years with great success. In particular, he loved his Porsche that he bought in Germany and traveled with his wife Pauli all over Europe until having it shipped back to Boston.
Warren was the beloved husband of the late Pauli (Donaher) Gerry with whom he shared 60 years of marriage. Devoted father of Darren J. Gerry and his wife Nancy of Wakefield, Danette G. Pazyra and her husband Stephen of Revere and Derek A. Gerry and his wife Molly of Wakefield. Dear brother of Lorraine A. Dolbeare, Richard A. Gerry, Robert S. Gerry and the late Marion Gerry, Frederick B. Gerry Jr., Paul Gerry and Elbridge Gerry. Cherished grandfather of Rachel Gerry and her husband Heng, Timothy Gerry and his wife Tabitha and Daniel Gerry. Loving great-grandfather of Kayley Bunn.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Warren’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 5 to 8 p.m. and again on Wednesday morning for his funeral service celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery, Wakefield. For online tribute, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
