Edward Gerard

Edward "Sonny" Gerard of Cedarville passed away Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012, at his home.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the third child and only son of Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Gerard and Elizabeth Browne Gerard. He attended Paulsboro High School, but left before graduation to join the Navy in January 1942. He served first in the North Atlantic, and then the Pacific. He met his wife, Doris, on a blind date, and they were married in 1944. Following his discharge from the Navy, the couple moved to Cedarville, where Ed built the house they would live in for the rest of their lives. He was recalled to the Navy during the Korean conflict, and upon his return worked at Owens-Illinois Glass Co. until his retirement. He coached in South Cumberland Little League in the 1960s.

Edward was predeceased by his wife, Doris, and his sisters, Rose Mooney, Claire Branosky, Kathleen DiTonno and Bernadette Etter. He is survived by his son, Edward Jr. (Skip) Gerard and his wife MaryAnn; daughter, Kathleen DeCastro; son, Mark C. Gerard; grandchildren, Christopher, Elizabeth, Mark Jr., Lisa and Lauren; great-grandchildren, Amanda, Courtney, Emily, Killian, Aidan, Nathan and Caroline; and great-great-grandson, Zaidyn.

His funeral liturgy will be celebrated at the Parish of the Holy Cross, St. Michael's Church, 367 Main St., Cedarville, on Wednesday morning, Sept. 19th at 11 o'clock. Friends will be received at the church on Wednesday morning between 10 and 11 o'clock, prior to the services. Burial will take place in Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery in Hopewell Township. Arrangements are under the direction of Padgett Funeral Home, Cedarville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Edward's memory to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 550 North Parkway, Box 3704, Memphis, TN 38103.

Written condolences and tributes may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.padgettfuneralhomes.com.