Chuck Gerry, beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, friend and coach died peacefully at his home on June 14, 2024, with his wife Linda by his side. It so happened that Chuck spent time with each of his family the day before. He bravely battled Alzheimer’s for many years. He was 79 years old at the time of his passing.
He was preceded in death by his parents Martha and Charlie, sister Susan and niece Jenna. He is survived by his wife Linda and children Chad, Erin and Mitchell as well as sisters Jan and Paula.
Charles Bernard Gerry – Chuck to all – was born in an Army hospital in Torrance, California to Martha and Charlie Gerry on March 29, 1945. He attended St. Philip Neri grammar school where he excelled in academics, sports and as a leader in his Catholic parish. Chuck not only served as an altar boy but was chosen to represent his school at the annual Blessed Virgin Mary May Day Celebration held in the L.A. Colosseum.
At St. Pius X High School, Chuck made many friends and continued his success in academics and track and field. Upon graduation he left for St. John’s University in Minnesota. It was not long before the call of California sunshine brought him back. He decided to change course and enlist in the Army, soon serving in South Korea.
1n 1967, he was honorably discharged and returned home to continue his studies at Compton Jr. College where he met the love of his life, Linda Towner. He was an Alpha Sigma Chi and she a Delta Kappa Phi – fell in love and married in February 1969. A family friend asked Chuck to join the management team at a Los Angeles sign company as an Estimator where he quickly learned the business. A few years later that friend started Image National in Boise and recruited him to be a part of this new management team.
Chuck, Linda and children made East Boise home enjoying a memorable family life while making lifelong friends through baseball, soccer and Bishop Kelly High School where he was a proud supporter. Chuck was part of a group of dedicated fathers who helped grow East Boise Little League from its beginnings at the corner of Boise Avenue and Apple and was instrumental in the creation of EBLL softball. He coached all three of his children and helped facilitate the league’s move to its current site at Columbia Village. Chuck was proudly inducted into the East Boise Little League Hall of Fame. After coaching, he enjoyed umpiring slow pitch softball and playing many rounds of golf.
Being involved in Our Lady of the Rosary Church and Knights of Columbus was a way for Chuck to also serve his parish. The contributions Chuck made to his community will forever be remembered by the number of lives he touched.
The Gerry family enjoyed many trips to California and Hawaii. Chuck and Linda later vacationed with good friends, Sharon and Mike Florence in McCall, Mexico and Cuba.
The family thanks his sister, Paula and her husband Bud, for the loving care and time given to her brother these last few years. Sincere appreciation is extended to his caregiver, Heather, as well as the Keystone Hospice team.
A memorial Mass will be held on Monday, July 1, at 1:00pm at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church located at 1500 E Wright St, Boise. A reception follows immediately in the church hall. Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 2, at 9:00am at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery located at 10100 N Horseshoe Bend Rd, Boise.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of two programs close to Chuck’s heart. East Boise Youth Baseball & Softball , c/o Chuck Gerry Memorial, PO Box 170167 Summersweet Dr, Boise, ID 83716. Or Bishop Kelly High School Baseball, c/o Jeff Cammann, In memory of Chuck Gerry, 7009 Franklin Rd, Boise, ID 83709.