Gerald Wylam Parker, better known as Gerry or Pop-pop was born on January 31, 1938 to Kathryne and John Parker in Jamesville, Wisconsin. The Parkers moved to Croton-on-Hudson in 1943 where Gerry would spend the rest of his life. Gerry passed away on October 30th, 2020 at the age of 82. When the Parkers came to Croton-on-Hudson they settled on Hastings Avenue. Gerry graduated from Croton Harmon High School in 1956. He then pursued a degree in horticulture and landscape architecture at The State University of New York in Farmingdale where he graduated in 1958. Gerry worked his way through school on the weekends and during the summer at ESSO gas station in Croton. One day his boss asked him to return a car to Skyview Haven, where he caught the eye of employee Barbara Ann Curry. Gerry and Barbara began dating and were married on July 5th, 1959. They began their own family on Hastings Avenue and were blessed with 4 children.
Gerry took a job at Rosedale Nursery in Hawthorne, NY where he worked 6 days a week for 50 years. He was an avid gardener who took great pride in his backyard and vegetable garden. Gerry was in charge of the Channel Gardens at Rockefeller Center in New York City. He not only managed large landscaping projects at several prestigious properties, he also assisted in locating the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Throughout his life he and Barbara traveled extensively. Not only did they visit all 50 states of America in their Motor Coach, including Alaska and Hawaii (no motor coach in Hawaii), but they also traveled to many foreign countries. Gerry was preceded in death by his parents John and Kathryne, a son Gerald, a daughter Stephanie and his sister Judith Pidgeon. Gerry is survived by his wife Barbara of 61 years who still resides on Hastings Avenue, his daughters Sue Kitchen (Chuck) of Croton-on-Hudson, New York and Sharon Pate (Ernie) of Fort Worth, Texas. Gerry had 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Gerry will be waked at the Edward F. Carter Funeral Home in Croton on Tuesday, November 3rd from 4-7 pm. The funeral service will be private, due to covid restrictions, however, all are welcome to attend the burial on Wednesday, November 4th at 11:15 am at Bethel Cemetery. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/croton-on-hudson-ny/gerald-parker-9875311
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