William John Gerrity

SILVER CREEK — William John Gerrity, 77, of Pennsylvania Ave., Silver Creek, died suddenly, Monday, March 5, 2018 at TLC/HN-Lake Shore Hospital, Irving. He was born in Scranton, PA on January 25, 1941, the son of the late William Joseph and Eleanor (Melvin) Gerrity.

Mr. Gerrity was a graduate of Lake Shore Central School and served in the U.S. Navy. He worked as a systems analyst for the former Grumman Aerospace, Bethpage, Long Island, for 20 years. Mr. Gerrity at one time, worked for NASA on some of the Apollo Missions, was a cofounder of the former Froggernet, in Silver Creek and was an ordained minister.

He was a former long-time Boy Scout Leader, a former member of Kiwanis and a member of Walthers Model Railroading Club. Mr. Gerrity enjoyed photography, computers, cooking, trains and railroads, archery, outdoor recreation, engineering as was an avid music enthusiast. He was a perpetual learner.

Survivors include a daughter, Grace (Gary Hemphill) Gerrity, of Forestville; two sons William (Donna) Gerrity, of East Patchogue, NY; Patrick Gerrity, of Atlanta, GA; and two sisters, Mary Ellen (Robert) Gabor, of Buffalo; Kathy (Jim) Chalupka, of Orchard Park. Also surviving is one grandson Garrison Hemphill. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife Anne N. (Sack) Gerrity, whom he married on July 3, 1965, in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel RC Church, Silver Creek and who died March 11, 2011.

Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, 39 Main Street, Forestville on Thursday from 3-6 p.m., from where a Celebration of Life will follow at 6 o’clock, with Rev. James Witherington, Jr. officiating. Private Interment will be at the convenience of the family in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Silver Creek.

The family suggests memorials may be made either to Dunkirk Fredonia Meals on Wheels, 200 Lake Shore Drive West, Suite 3, Dunkirk, NY 14048 or to the Sheridan Fire Department, PO Box 122, Sheridan, NY 14135. To post condolences go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com