Gerald Martin Toner

Gerald Martin Toner, 80, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 23, 2025. Gerald was born at Horton Memorial Hospital in Middletown, NY, the fifth of Annie and Vincent Toner's seven children. He attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Middletown through 8th grade. During his high school years, his family relocated to Elmhurst, NY where he attended and graduated from Monsignor McClancy High School.
He met his future wife, Ann Lawlor, through mutual friends. When he was drafted into the US Army to serve in Vietnam as an MP, they exchanged letters. When he returned, their relationship grew, and they were married in September of 1969 at Saint Bartholomew's Church in Elmhurst, NY. In 1972, they relocated to his hometown of Middletown, NY, where they lived for over fifty years and raised their four daughters. During his work life, he established two small air freight companies (G.T. Express and Lawton Express). Upon his retirement from his own businesses, he worked as a school bus driver for the Middletown Schools, aligning his work schedule with his wife's (who worked for the Pine Bush School District).
Those who knew Gerry, know he loved sports; playing baseball and basketball from childhood, and later adding bowling and softball. More recently, he played senior softball until illness slowed him down. He was an avid sports fan who loved his NY teams- the Mets and the Jets. Homage was paid to him at his big 70th birthday celebration in Saratoga Springs, NY when his entire family played a softball game as "Jake's Jets" vs "Gerry's Mets"- yes, there were T-shirts! That birthday weekend was the epitome of Gerry's two great loves, family and sports. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Joseph's and, then, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, NY and, more recently, connected to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fishkill, NY - a kind, dependable, and loving man completely devoted to his family.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann, his 4 daughters, Anne Egger (Christopher Egger), Kristin Toner Reed (Michael Reed), Dr. Lorraine Toner and Catie Couch (Paul Couch). He was very proud of his entire family and their accomplishments. He "Pop-Pop" is survived by five beloved grandchildren: Gabriel Egger, Elizabeth and Andrew Reed, and Josiah and Eliana Couch. He is predeceased by his brothers, Vincent and James Toner and his brother-in-law, Roger Fallon. He is also survived by his two sisters Ann Fallon and Eileen Mulroy, as well as his younger brothers, Francis Toner (Margaret) and Patrick Toner (Kathleen),and his godfather, Andrew Lohan (Ileen), in addition to many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place on Thursday, January 30th from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM at Applebee McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940.
The Funeral Mass will take a place at 11AM on Friday, January 31st at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 90 Euclid Avenue, Middletown, NY 10940 followed by interment at The Orange County Veterans Memorial 111 Craigville Road, Goshen, NY 10924.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to either The American Lung Association https://www.lung.org/get-involved/ways-to-give or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=wtg-lz-one-time