Gerald M. Schulze

MASHPEE — Gerald M. Schulze, 67, of Mashpee, and formerly of Charlestown, died peacefully at home on Jan. 6, 2010, after a brief illness.

He was the husband of Anna "Poosie" Ryan-Schulze for 38 years.

Born in Boston to the late Erich and Mary (McNamara) Schulze, Gerry was raised in Charlestown where he graduated from Charlestown High School. He retired in 1989 from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Gerry was an avid fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed gardening and traveling and was a lover of all things Irish. The director of the former Cape Irish Children's Program, he was a member of the Irish Cultural Center, the Irish-American Club of Cape Cod, and the German-American Club of Cape Cod.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his twin brother, Gerard J. Schulze, and Kathleen McMenimen of Waltham; and brother Erich and his wife, Jacqueline Schulze, of Wareham. He was the brother-in-law to Joan and the late James Ryan of Billerica, Tisha and James Considine of Wakefield, and Joseph and Maryann Ryan of Somerville; and son-in-law to James and the late "Bunky" Ryan of Charlestown. Also surviving are many loving nieces and nephews; and dear cousins in Ireland.

Visiting hours will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, 74 Algonquin Ave., at Route 151, Mashpee. A funeral will form at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at Christ The King Parish, 3 Jobs Fishing Road, at Route 151, Mashpee. Interment will be held in Great Neck Woods Cemetery, Great Neck Road South, Mashpee.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gerald's name may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Attn: Contribution Services, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905.

For online guest book and directions, visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com.