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Gerald Girgus, beloved husband of Janice (Witham) Girgus passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston after a brief illness.
Jerry was born and raised in Peabody, MA, the son of the late Nicholas and Nancy Girgus. After graduating from Peabody High School he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served two tours of duty in Vietnam receiving many medals and commendations including a Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged in 1969.
Jerry then embarked on a life long career in the restautant industry owning his own two restaurants before eventually getting into management. His last employment before retirement was for the Hilton Hotel in Lake Placid, NY as Banquet and Wedding Manager, a position her thoroughly enjoyed.
It was in Lake Placid that he and his son James built a log home that came to be known as Camp Jessica, named after his and Janice's first granddaughter. Jerry and Janice had lived there happily between travels for the past 20 years. Camp Jessica was and will continue to be a favorite get away for fun, family times.
Jerry was a man who lived to the fullest in many varied ways. From sailing the New England coast with his family on their sailboat Talisker and the Virgin Islands in their trimaran, to camping in Maine, NH and Mexico. He and Janice once drove the entire Dominican Republic in a tiny rental van. They had many great times on cruises, trips to Disney World with the family and cross country road trips before settling down in South Carolina just three months ago.
Jerry was a gentle and soft spoken man with a quiet wit who made everyone happy to be around him. He loved his children and grandchildren dearly and was a very meaningful presence in their lives. He also was an avid animal and nature lover and will be sadly missed by his dog and sidekick Henry and all the Camp Jessica birds.
In addition to his wife Janice he is survived by his son James and wife, Jenny of Gloucester, his daughter Jennifer of Rockport and grandchildren Jessica, Kayla, Noah, Amanda and Nathaniel. Also his mother and father-in-law George and Mary Witham of Rockport, his sister-in-law Merianne Fisher and husband Gregory of Fairhaven, MA and brother-in-law Stephen G. Witham and wife Shirley of Hendersonville, TN. He also leaves his brother Nicholas Girgus and wife Nancy of Merrimack, NH, sisters Carol, wife of Joseph Grayton of Gloucester, Ruth Machakos of Manchester, NH, Janet Edelstein of Smithfield, ME, Laurie Girgus of Peabody and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his closest friends Mike Zuppio, Jimmy Duggan, Wayne Lewalski and Micky Gillis and his beloved dogs, Dustin, Jake, Tanner and Rollie and his awesome cat, Girbaud.
ARRANGEMENTS: His funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at 1:00pm at the Rockport United Methodist Church, 36 Broadway, Rockport, MA. followed by a commital services at Beech Grove Cemetary in Rockport. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in Gerald's memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aide or the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 4250-0301
