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GERARD SWEENEY Obituary
Born to Alice Sweeney (Cassidy) and James P. Sweeney in New York City on Sept. 17, 1942, he was preceded in death by his brother James.
Gerry coupled his academic passion for gothic literature with a love of life, especially for the nature of Maine -- his home since 2004. Gerry practiced Tai Chi for decades until his last days of life and shared an interest in books and movies with his family. He earned a bachelor of science degree in English in 1964 from Manhattan College, an MA in English in 1966 from New York University, and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1972. During his 33 years as an English professor at the University of Akron (1971-2004), Gerry's passion for the written word and teaching served as an inspiration to countless students. His dedication as a husband and father will be an inspiration to his wife and daughters always.
The family wishes to thank the health professionals at Maine General HealthReach Hospice for the support they gave Gerry and the family.
A celebration of Gerry's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, at Roberts Funeral Home, 62 Bowdoin St., in Winthrop. A reception at the home will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to one of Gerry's favorite charities: Good Shepherd Food Bank of Auburn (P.O. Box 1807, Auburn, ME 04211).
Memories or condolences can be shared at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for GERARD SWEENEY
Melanie Parenti Reynolds
May 21, 2012
Gerry's family,
My sincere condolences on Gerry's passing. He was the most engaging prof I had while I was at AU in the late '70s and early '80s. I have many memories of his teaching of James, Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville, and am most grateful for the close readings we did of The Portrait of a Lady and Moby Dick.
I'd like to share something that happened over 30 years ago one night at Gerry's apartment on Timber Top Trail. A number of us went to Gerry's place after having left a downtown bar. I was impressed with the place and admired the harpoon hanging on one wall. Gerry assured us it was real and not a decorative piece.
One of the hot topics that year was gun control, and we were debating it loudly and drunkenly. As I recall, Gerry was against keeping guns in one's house and argued for tighter controls. Someone else argued that having a gun for self-protection against a home invader made a lot of sense and asked just what Gerry would do to protect himself if someone broke in while he was home. There was a pause.
Gerry suddenly leaped from the floor to the wall where the harpoon was hanging, grabbed it, and in one smooth action held the harpoon in balance over his shoulder and let fly. It thwacked into the side of the wooden staircase leading to the loft and stuck, perfectly parallel to the floor.
I don't remember how the discussion ended, but I cherish the memory of Gerry showing us Queequeg in action.
Koneta Andrew
May 20, 2012
Colleen,
I am very sorry to hear about Gerry's illness. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Koneta, John, Megan, and Tommy Andrew
Douglas Nicholas
May 20, 2012
Goodbye, Gerry. I hadn't seen him since Manhattan College, but reading about his wonderful life I regret we did not keep in touch.
Douglas Nicholas '64
Señora Maloney
May 19, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to you at this difficult and sad time.
Philip Plumley
May 19, 2012
Dr. Sweeney was a brilliant educator and a trusted advisor. A class of his early in my years at UA convinced me to make English my major, a decision I have always been pleased with. I am sorry to learn of his passing. May his family and friends remember his warmth and passion for life and literature.
With condolences,
Jean Morgan
May 19, 2012
Colleen,
I am very sorry to hear about Gerry's illness and death. Keeping you in my prayers.
Susan Kane
May 18, 2012
Megan, our thoughts are with you. Hope to see you soon. -- Susan, Michelle, Adar and Sam
Bob Holland
May 18, 2012
Dear Coleen, Fallon, Thalia, and Megan,
What warm memories of a dear colleague and loyal friend--bringing the sound of Gerry's laughter, his expression of sincere concern, his presence and interest it everything that mattered to someone else!
He honored American authors with his precise and demanding teaching of their works; he honored his students in pressing them forward to greater self expectation and self respect; he honored his family in the gentle ways he spoke of them, in his devotion to them.
I am sorry that your time with him had to end, and I wish each of you peace on your journey: “May the longtime sun shine upon you, and all love surround you, and may the pure light within you guide you on your way.”
Taylor Lindholm
May 18, 2012
Mr. Sweeney was one of the coolest of all my friends parents. I always loved hearing new things about his life and enjoyed watching him do a little Tai Chi in the mornings. He will be greatly missed. I send all my love to my best friend, Thalia and her family. <3
Tina Farnsworth
May 18, 2012
Dr. Sweeney was an excellent professor. He was kind, caring, and was always willing to listen. I have very fond memories of him, and he will be missed. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Carla Cornecelli
May 18, 2012
Coleen, Megan, Fallon and Thalia,
I am so sorry to hear this. I can never thank you enough for the friendship you all so freely gave to my mother and me. Gerry was so good to my mother and I always knew he and then you were watching out for her. You were such wonderful neighbors and friends. I looked forward to you coming home every year and miss you (and the dogs!) every day. And thank God Gerry got up so early as I managed to lock myself out on more than one occasion on my way to work! I think of you everytime I look across the driveway. You are all in my
thoughts and prayers.
With much love.
Dawn Few Meehan
May 18, 2012
Dr. Sweeney was such a wonderful professor. I'm so glad I had the pleasure to be one of his students. I'm praying and thinking of the family during this time.
Elizabeth Crosby
May 18, 2012
Dr. Sweeney was one of my favorite professors at Akron U. I will never forget his analysis of Henry James' "Portrait of a Lady" and Dr. Sweeney's interpretation of Henry Touchit's hands in his pockets! This was over 30 years ago and I still laugh.
I was blessed to have this wonderful man as a professor - thank you for sharing him ...
fjohn reinke (mc1968)
May 18, 2012
The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any man's death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.
Joanne Schmitz
May 18, 2012
My condolences to Dr. Sweeney's family. I learned so much from Dr. Sweeney's classes at Akron U. He was so knowledgable and went in depth with the topics of study. May he live in your hearts forever.
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