Gerald Wolfe

 

 Gerald Emil Wolfe, 86, of Oxford, NY passed away on March 6, 2023, after a suffering from a long illness.  Gerry, as known by family and friends, had been a resident of the NYS Vets home for the last (4+ years.  He was born June 19, 1936 in Trenton, NJ and was the eldest son of Francis (Pullen) Wolfe and Emil Joseph Wolfe of Hightstown, NJ

Gerry was born and raised in Hightstown, NJ.  Growing up in a small town, he was surrounded by grandparents, aunts and uncles, and friends, many of whom he stayed close with throughout his lifetime.  His idyllic childhood is what instilled the strong family values he carried through his life, the same values and dedication to family that he passed on to all three of his children.  He graduated from Hightstown High School in 1954.  It was there he met and eventually married his high school sweetheart Janice.

Gerry was an accomplished musician in his younger days, playing both trumpet and piano.  He had his own dance band, called the Star Dusters.  He even appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show once in 1957 with the 19th Army Band stationed out of Fort Dix, NJ.   Gerry served his country during the Korean War.   Although stateside throughout his three year stint, he honored his fellow soldiers by playing TAPS at over 300 funerals.  He has been a member of the American Legion for 49 years. 

Once an excellent golfer and proficient bowler, having a family changed his focus and they became his priority.  Gerry took his family camping most weekends and belonged to the New Jersey Campers & Hikers Association.  He coached Little League, and served as a member of the East Windsor Regional School Board for three years.

Aside from his family, what Gerry loved most was fishing!  Whether actually fishing, talking about fishing, or writing about fishing, it was more than a hobby, it was his passion.  In 1999  he won the World record for Landlocked Atlantic Salmon from the IGFA (International Game Fish Association).  He fished at every opportunity with friends or family.  His favorite though, was the solitude and peace he derived from fishing alone.  After years of enjoying the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting, he eventually began to write about his adventures.  One of Gerry’s articles, Tidewater Cats,  appeared in the September 1971 issue of Outdoor Life magazine.

Gerry retired from the Hightstown Post Office after 30 years of service.  He was a member of the NAPS (National Assoc. of Postal Supervisors), Branch 74, and served 3 years as president.  He was also an outdoors columnist for the Windsor Hights Herald. 

Through the years the family had spent many years vacationing on Sebago Lake in Maine. They had family in the area and had established many close friendships.  Gerry and his wife could not think of a better place to spend their retirement so they moved to Raymond, ME.  Shortly after arriving he began writing for The Maine Sportsman Magazine.

After seventeen years in Maine they decided to move to Oxford, NY to be closer to their children as they began to age.  Once there he hosted a chat room from 2005-2006 for Fly Anglers Online website.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Janice (Slover) Wolfe of Oxford NY, his 3 children: daughter, Kim (Barry) Betts of Oxford NY;  son, Michael (Gladys) Wolfe of Conway SC; and son Steven (Denise) Wolfe of Conway, SC.  He leaves behind seven grandchildren:  Eric, Katie, Tenaya, Sara, Rachel, Rudy, and Julie;  13 great-grandchildren:  Brenner, Lexi, Matthew, Steven, Evelyn, Arianna, Michael, Liam, Rudy, Sadie, Imani, Brady, and Levi; along with several nieces and nephews

He is predeceased by his parents, Fran & Emil Wolfe, his brother Jeff Wolfe, grandson Michael Edward Wolfe, and his two best friends Frank Ficarro, and John Nelson.

His family would also like to acknowledge the caregivers and staff at the NYS Veterans Home in Oxford, NY.  Gerry spent the remaining years of his life with them and received wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Camp Sunshine www. campsunshine.org or Wounded Warriors www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org

Calling hours will begin at 1:00 pm with the service starting at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 11, at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main Street, Oxford, NY.  Pastor Rich Howard of Foundation Church will officiate.  Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery, 4204 County Rd 32, Oxford, NY.  Immediately following there will be a celebration of life at the American Legion, Post 376, 17 South Washington Ave., Oxford, NY.