Jerome Bates Stretch

1938 - 2019

BEDFORD - The Rev. Jerome Bates Stretch, 81, passed away on April 2, 2019, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, N.H., after a long illness. He was comfortably surrounded by loving family.

He was born February 3, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, at St. John's Episcopal Hospital to Muriel Emily Bates and The Venerable Archdeacon Harry J. Stretch, an Episcopal Priest at Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, New York. Jerry attended schools in Garden City and the family spent summers in Saltaire, Fire Island, New York. Learning of the end of World War II, he ran into the church his father served and rang the bell for all he was worth.

He and his two brothers, Peter and Timothy, sailed, swam, and belong to the yacht club. They sailed, swam, misbehaved, had adventures, and enjoyed the untethered, freedom of movement the ocean provided. Jerry developed his lifelong love of sailing and appreciation of "all things nautical".

Fr. Stretch went on to attend Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisc. He served his first missionary post with his wife, Susanne P. Stretch, in Churchill, Manitoba, at St. Paul's Anglican Mission. In his professional life he served the following parishes:

1970-76: St. Paul's Anglican Mission, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

1976-79: St. Bede's Anglican Church in Winnipeg, MB, Canada, St. John's, Pilot Mound, MB, Canada

St. Alban's, Snowflake, MB, Canada, St. Mary's, Kaleida, MB, Canada, St Paul's, Clearwater, MB

1979-1984 Trinity Episcopal Church, Oroville, Washington, USA

1979-1984 St. Christopher's Anglican Church, Osoyoos, British Columbia, Canada

1984-2003 St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Manchester, N.H.

1984-2003 New Hampshire State Prison Ministry Volunteer

Jerry was a Renaissance man and educator at heart. He was loud, large and in charge. He was blunt, quick-witted, active, and aggressive. Being human, he made his share of mistakes. Fr. Jerry was highly skilled in offending sensitive vestry board members, who sought a more diminutive, gentle, low-activity pastor.

He used his carpentry skills to build large-scale wood projects, such as handicapped ramps for needy parishioners or for the church itself. He built an irrigation system for Trinity Church, swimming docks for the lakes, and many other miscellaneous projects for people that could otherwise not afford it.

On Sundays during snowstorms, Fr. Jerry would leave the house at 4 a.m. with a ridiculously large commercial snow blower to clear the church parking lot. After the service, he would load it up again into the back of his truck, and visit parishioners who had been snowed in. He would then clear their driveways, and free their stuck vehicles.

Jerry started successful food bank programs in two states that are still running 30 years later. Jerry was a juggernaut of activity, followed by long evenings reading books, newspapers, magazines while playing the news in the background.

Retirement years were spent in full-time devotion to his wife Sue and Laurel Hill Jams and Jellies, LLC, her wholesale, retail, and mail-order business. She called him her "sherpa" because he hauled the tent, tables, cases of jams/jellies, and bins to farmers' markets and events.

Jerry is dearly missed by his loved ones, but they are comforted to know that he is now at peace.

One friend recently said of him "He is the only clergyman who I know who can speak English, Bible, and Nautical." He was moved deeply by building things, classical music, reading for study and enjoyment, love of nature, especially birds and trees. He is remembered for his selfless and devoted work for all people in need, as well as his annual Christmas epistle.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Susanne; son Steve Stretch, daughter-in-law Nichole Stretch of Spokane Valley, WA; daughter Claire Stretch and son-in-law Jason Pelletier of Windham, Maine; Four grandchildren, Killian, Bronson, Lincoln and Alaina Stretch; Sister-in-law Beverly Stretch Carlson, husband Sam Carson of Seattle; nephews Robert (Chula Vista, Calif.), James (Spokane) and William Stretch (Seattle).

SERVICES: Goodwin Funeral Home of Manchester will host visiting hours from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 5, with light refreshments. www.goodwinfh.com.

Services will be Saturday, April 6, at 11 a.m., St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Londonderry, N.H.; reception to follow at the Manchester Country Club.

It's been a "Nantucket sleigh ride" for his wife, Sue. Never been a dull moment. She asks that in lieu of flowers, please plant a tree in Jerry's honor, or donate to shop.alivingtribute.com (Memorial trees planted in US National Forests for you) or donate to Home Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park, Merrimack, NH 03054 (www.hhh.org/how-to-help/donate/).