Carl Gerr

I think of Carl often. I remember when I was visiting in Old Lyme and I had an MGA and Carl had a similar car. We proceeded to race each other down Whipporwill Rd. and as we passed the house Stanley came storming
out shouting at us at the top of his lungs. We disappeared for awhile giving him time to cool down.

I learned of Carl's pass-
ing when attempting to
create a mini-biography
of Carl and other Gerr
family members who
had shown me great
kindness at various
points in my life when
I needed it most.

Unfortunately, while I
was able to find plenty
of genealogical data,
what is really needed to
complete it is facts.
For example, what were
the details of Carl's
second auto accident?
If any of his friends or
family are able to help,
please, please contact
me, because without

more information I
cannot complete the
project. (This is meant
to be a private history,
to be viewed by family
and friends only).

Carl,
You are loved and much
missed by many, and
you will never be
forgotten.

Robin Callahan Beattie

I knew Carl from the time I was 15 in Cambridge. I was in school with Robin Beattie. As I became an adult I spent considerable time with Carl in Cambridge, New York, and finally in Old Lyme right up until shortly before his death.Returning to school a few years ago to earn a degree in Philosophy, I also wrote a paper about him describing our friendship and his indomitable will to live a full life in spite of almost insurmountable odds. I will miss him greatly.

Carl lived in Cambridge, MA while attending
Boston University. He lived with family
friends the McCullochs, who assumed temporary guardianship of me at age 13.

Carl was kind, calm, and realistic. I
doubtless annoyed him at times with
typical adolescent babbling, but he never
yelled at me.

I wrote an essay about him when our English
class was assigned to write a theme about
"My Most Unforgettable Character".

Belated condolences to Lorelei, Shelley,
and his grandchildren. He was a good
and brave man whom I greatly respected
and admired.

Grampa is evidence that stigma associated with disabilities is unwarranted. At an early age, he was dealt a seemingly insurmountable blow in 1955, when the Jeep he was traveling in was rear-ended at high speed, and hit again later in life during yet another automobile accident. Despite these accidents, both of which were no fault of his own, Grampa persevered. After a long hospital stay, he went on to study at a prestigious university, long before the days of handicap accessible buildings and any sort of social acceptance of disabilities. Unfortunately, Grampa was severely burned when a malfunctioning shower was unable to be shut off in his dormitory. Despite this, Grampa continued to educate himself, and I have many memories of him reading at his desk at his modest house on his peaceful property in Old Lyme. His depth of knowledge on a variety of topics was impressive -- from politics to Yankee baseball to Porsche automobiles to the ecosystem in his backyard pond, and everything in between. During all of my visits and phone calls with Grampa, I never heard him complain about the accidents, the condition they left him in, his leg brace, or anything else. He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, Grampa.

For me, Grandpa always had an air of mystery about him...as if he knew something you didn't. I appreciated his witty sense of humor. In the face of immense tragedy, Grandpa was resilience personified. I'll always have fond memories of fishing trips to the pond, conversing about baseball and the latest wildlife he'd spotted around the house. Grandpa was a good man and he will be missed.

With love,

Christian

I offer my condolences to Shelley, Lorelei & all of Carl's family & loved ones.

He certainly had a tough go of it physically from the time of his first automobile accident. At least that part of his struggle is now over.

I was touched by the words written by his grand daughter, Molly (my daughter). I think they were beautiful and I'm proud of her for writing it here in this Guest Book.

Although Carl was confined to his bed these last few years I was lucky enough to enjoy many visits with him. He was always gracious and welcoming. He never complained and was very upbeat. Carl was the classmate that had so much promise for the future. I am proud that he was my classmate and friend.
I will miss him.
Barbara
Class of 55

Our sincere condolences on the passing of your father ,Shelley. May he rest in peace.Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your love ones.

I wish I could have visited with my grandpa more, but we had good times when my mom and I did get to see him. And at least we got to chat on the phone, sometimes. He always told me he loved me dearly. His house always had bottles of Lipton tea. He never complained really, for the condition life, tragically, from a young age, had handed him. My grandpa always, really had a good attitude about the way he always had seen life. My grandpa was a good person, I wish he could have had a better life, but sometimes you just gotta see the sunshine in everyday, even if it rains. I guess that's how my grandpa got through every day. Grandpa, I hope you have a better life now, in Heaven, and may you have legs to walk in streets of gold. Love you grandpa. Your grandaughter,
Molly