Gardner E. Munsey

ORLEANS — Gardner E. Munsey, 93, of Orleans, passed away peacefully at his home in Orleans, on Sept. 29, 2008.

He was predeceased in 2003 by his wife of 66 Years, Mary Wilcox Munsey.

Mr. Munsey was born in Beverly and moved to Harwich about 1929. He worked for Bearses Motor Sales in Chatham from 1935 to 1939. In 1940, he went to work for Robert Winslow as a caretaker of Mr. Winslow's properties in South Orleans.

In 1943, he volunteered for the Army, serving his two years as an instructor in the Armored Command at Fort Knox, Ky. Upon his discharge as a sergeant, he returned to work as the caretaker of the Winslow properties. In 1974 he took over the position of harbor master/shellfish constable in the town of Orleans and held that position until his retirement in 1982.

Mr. Munsey was a member of the American Legion Post 308 in Orleans for 62 years. He served on the Orleans Shellfish Advisory and Waterways Improvement Board and the Massachusetts Shellfish Officers Association board. He was an avid Red Sox fan.

Mr. Munsey's memory continues in the hearts of his daughters, Ronnie Jamieson and husband Bruce of Orleans, Christie Turner and husband Robin of Chatham, and Jean LaCroix of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; a brother, Roger Munsey of Windermere, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Christine Williams of Orleans; Paul Norair of Vero Beach, Fla.; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans. Burial will follow with military honors in Orleans Cemetery. Visiting hours were Friday, Oct. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice, 434 Route 134, Suite G-1, South Dennis, MA 02660, or Orleans Fire & Rescue, 58 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653.

For online condolences and guest book, please visit www.mem.com.

Nickerson Funeral Home

508-255-0259