Gerald Emil Zenger

Gerald Emil Zenger
formerly of Billerica, MA, and York, Maine, Retired Air Force

PORTSMOUTH, N.H -- Gerald E. Zenger, of Portsmouth, N.H., entered into eternal rest on Monday, February 8th, 2010 in Venice, Florida, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Endicott, NY on May 11 1928, he was the son of the late Emil and Mary (Randolph) Zenger.

Jerry served in WWII Army/Air Force 1944-1947 where he received the WWII Victory Medal.

He then entered the Air Force where he had a 20 year career, retiring from Hanscom Air Force Base in 1966 as part of the Aerospace Instrumentation Weather Laboratory Division.

He was also employed with Sanders Assoc. of Nashua, NH and Geartronix in Billerica, MA before moving to York Beach, Maine where he built a retirement home in 1975.

In Maine, he was employed by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he repaired nuclear submarines until his retirement in 1987.

Known to his family as Papa Jerry, he was a man of many talents. His most loved hobby was woodworking, making some beautiful pieces of furniture and building his own retirement home.

He was preceded in death by Phyllis M. Shaw Zenger with whom he unselfishly and lovingly raised two sons, Fred and Tim.

He always made himself available to others, giving his time and expertise to family and friends for numerous projects. He also enjoyed playing cards, taking his grandchildren to the beach (to bird watch), and he was an avid sports fan. Jerry spent many sleepless nights watching the Red Sox and Patriots. He loved his winters in Ruskin, Florida where he had many good friends.

He is survived by his loving wife Patti, and her daughter, Carol Pugh of Greenville NH, son, Jeffrey Pugh and wife, Jennifer, two grandchildren, Naomi and Samuel Pugh of San Diego, CA.

Patti & Jerry would have celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary on June 22nd.

He leaves behind his two sons, Fred Farrell Fraize and wife, Stella of Venice, FL, Tim Tyler Fraize and wife, Patricia of Pelham, NH; four grandchildren, Darrell Fraize and his wife, Kathy of Brownfield, Maine, Melissa (Fraize) Morris and husband Craig of Columbus, Ohio, Kate (Fraize) Graham and husband, Marc of Merrimack, NH, and Joshua Fraize of Nashua, NH; five great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Benjamin, Holly, Logan and Ella. He also leaves behind a brother, Peter Zenger and wife, Mary of Yuma, AZ; one sister, Beverly Lutskas (Al), of Spokane, WA; sister-in-law, Betty Zenger of Marysville, WA; many nieces and nephews who loved Jerry dearly.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Robert, and Harold Zenger, and two sisters, Rena Haggerty Dyer, and Jean Anne Brady. A special Thank You to the Child's family for their love, prayers and support.

A memorial service for Gerald will be held on Saturday, July 17th, at 11 a.m. at the York Street Baptist Church, 61 York Street, York, Maine. Private Burial at Westview Cemetery, Lexington, MA. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or to the York Street Baptist Church. Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, 91 Long Sands Rd., York, Maine is directing arrangements. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com