Rochester: September 19, 2018 at age 87, passed away peacefully at Strong Memorial Hospital. He was predeceased by his wife, Elva, son Gerald Wilson Jr., brother Gordon and parents.
Gerald was born in Picton, Ontario, Canada on July 29, 1931, to Thomas Edgar Wilson and Florence Lena Wilson Hochreiter. After moving to Rochester with his mother and brother, Gordon, he joined the US Coast Guard in 1948. He spent six years on active duty stationed at Egg Rock Light, a lighthouse on Frenchman Bay, Maine as a resident light house keeper. He married Elva Meryle Perkins on September 16, 1950 who joined him at the lighthouse for the rest of his tour of duty and where their first son was born. After leaving service, Gerald was hired at Davenport Machine, where he worked for 42 years, retiring in 1995. He began as a tool and die maker and rose to supervisor of spare parts manufacturing and the assembly training program. Gerald was also a member of the Coast Guard Reserves from which he retired. He served at Coast Guard Station Rochester NY, where he participated in many marine operations and a deployment to Jordan.
He is survived by his children, Thomas (Patricia), Darlene (Ron) Ferris, Carlene, Daughter-in-Law, Marie Wilson; five grandchildren, Terri (Michael) Hilbert, Gerald (Dana) Wilson III, Andrea Schmitt, Matthew (Amanda) Schmitt, James Wilson, four great grandchildren, half brothers, Andrew Hochreiter, Richard (Laurie) Hochreiter and Donald Hochreiter and several nieces and nephews.
Interment will be held privately.
Dad, I”ll keep the fire pit burning and the music playing of Sinatra ,Bennet and Nate King Cole. I miss you!!!!! Love Cute Cuddly Carlene