Gerald C. Uniacke

1924 - 2018

Gerald C. Uniacke

West Grove, PA, formerly of Hockessin, DE - Jerry passed away July 30th, 2018 at the age of 93 at Jenner's Pond Retirement Community in West Grove, PA surrounded by the love of family and friends. He was a longtime resident of Hockessin, DE. He was born November 24, 1924 to the late Gerald Vincent and Marion (McIntyre) Uniacke of Newton Centre, MA. Jerry, who was called 'Bud' in his youth, and by his nieces and nephews, enlisted in the Marine Corps during WWII and served in the South Pacific Theater, primarily with the 3rd Marine Division. After the war he continued his education graduating from Boston College in 1950 with a B.S. in Chemistry.

Immediately after graduation he went to work for E.I. DuPont in Wilmington, DE. Most importantly, this is where he met the love of his life, Anne Louise Wright, to whom he was married for over 62 years. His career included a variety of positions in production, marketing and sales. In 1972 he returned to Wilmington, DE in order to form a world-wide marketing group for the new Intermediates Department. He continued in this capacity until he retired in 1985 with 35 years of service.

During his life he maintained a commitment to his Roman Catholic upbringing by serving in many capacities. He was a CCD teacher, lector, and a two-term president of the church council and a member of the first class to establish a new lay ministry. Jerry participated in the Cursillo Movement and he was also the General Chairman of the fundraising effort to expand St. Mary's of the Assumption church in Hockessin, Delaware, giving today's church and buildings its current look.

Jerry treasured the time living life to the fullest with his wife, Anne, and as a true patriarch of their extended family, children, grandchildren and many friends. Jerry loved to golf and was proud to be a 30-year member of Wilmington CC in Greenville, DE, where he played in the company of the 9-19 club. He had five verified "holes-in-one" and the stories and bar tabs to prove it. He had a long-term passion for chess playing and was a life-long competitive player of bridge, and other activities that kept the mind sharp. It worked. Jerry was always "sharp as a tack". Even into his 94th year he had added new past times like shooting pool and Wii bowling to ways in which he engaged his surrounding community.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne Louise Wright formerly of Chester, PA; his daughter, Ms. Nancy Uniacke of Wilmington, DE; his grandson, Dorian Rasnake of Elkton, MD; his sisters, Barbara Sheehan formerly of West Roxbury, MA and Mary Giselson of Oxford, MA; and sister-in-law, Shelly DiNicola of Brookhaven, PA.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Mrs. Toni Coverdale of Brookhaven, PA; he was the beloved father of Rev. Neil Uniacke and his wife, Katy, of Peach Bottom, PA; Dr. Brian Uniacke and his wife, Beverley, of Mechanicsburg, PA; Mrs. Mary Anne Rasnake and her husband, Ken, of Rising Sun, MD; Mr. Lee Uniacke and his wife, Shari Weiser, of Larkspur, CA; Mr. Martin Uniacke and his wife, Beth, of Garnet Valley, PA; 15 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews of the Giselson, DiNicola, Sheehan, and Coverdale families.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday August 4, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, 300 State Rd. West Grove, PA 19390. Families and friends are invited to call between 9:00 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. Burial will be private. Online condolences may be made at mealeyfuneralhomes.com.