Gerald Emil Zenger

PORTSMOUTH - Gerald E. Zenger, of Portsmouth, died Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in Venice, Fla., after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born May 11, 1928, in Endicott, N.Y., he was the son of the late Emil and Mary (Randolph) Zenger.

He is survived by his wife, Patti, and her daughter Carol Pugh of Greenville, son Jeffrey Pugh and wife Jennifer, and grandchildren Naomi and Samuel Pugh of San Diego, Calif. He is survived by two sons, Fred Farrell Fraize and wife Stella of Venice Fla., and Tim Tyler Fraize and wife Patricia of Pelham; four grandchildren, Darrell Fraize and wife Kathy of Brownfield, Maine, Melissa (Fraize) Morris and husband Craig of Columbus, Ohio, Kate (Fraize) Graham and husband Marc of Merrimack, and Joshua Fraize of Nashua; five great-grandchildren, Alexandra, Benjamin, Holly, Logan and Ella; a brother, Peter Zenger and wife Mary of Yuma, Ariz.; sister Beverly Lutskas (Al) of Spokane, Wash.; sister-in-law Betty Zenger of Marysville, Wash.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Robert and Harold Zenger, and two sisters, Rena Haggerty Dyer and Jean Anne Brady.

WE REMEMBER: Patti and Jerry would have celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary on June 22.

He was predeceased by Phyllis M. Shaw Zenger, with whom he unselfishly and lovingly raised two sons, Fred and Tim.

Jerry served in World War II, Army/Air Force from 1944-1947, and he received the WWII Victory Medal. He then entered the Air Force where he had a 20-year career, retiring from Hanscom Air Force Base in 1966 as part of the Aerospace Instrumentation Weather Laboratory Division. He was also employed with Sanders Assoc. of Nashua and Geartronix in Billerica, Mass., before moving to York Beach, Maine, where he built a retirement home in 1975. In Maine he was employed by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he repaired nuclear submarines until his retirement in 1987.

Known to his family as Papa Jerry, he was a man of many talents. His most-loved hobby was woodworking, making some beautiful pieces of furniture and building his own retirement home.

Jerry always made himself available to others, giving his time and expertise to family and friends for numerous projects. He also enjoyed playing cards, taking his grandchildren to the beach (to bird watch), and he was an avid sports fan. Jerry spent many sleepless nights watching the Red Sox and Patriots. He loved his winters in Ruskin, Fla., where he had many good friends.

A special thank you to the Childs family for their love, prayers and support.

SERVICES: A memorial service for Gerald will be held Saturday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at the York Street Baptist Church, 61 York St., York, Maine. Private burial will be at Westview Cemetery, Lexington, Mass.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701, or to the York Street Baptist Church.

Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, 91 Long Sands Road, York, is directing arrangements. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com.