Harvey S. Gerry '53
Deceased May 14, 2014
View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary
50th Reunion Book Entry
In Memory
Harve Gerry, perhaps the best-known and best-liked member of our class, passed away peacefully May 14, 2014, at his home in North Yarmouth, Maine, from advanced prostate cancer. He was in no pain and quite lucid until near the end.
Harve was my roommate for two years at the Chi Psi house and also an original member of the Zumbyes, the a capella singing group founded by Sandy Strait ’53 and still singing at the college today. He continued to sing in various groups and choirs throughout his life.
After U.S. Navy OCS and active duty in the Atlantic fleet, Harve completed Harvard Business School and joined Corning Glass in Corning N.Y., later shifting to another executive position at Northern Trust Co. in the Chicago area. Ultimately, he and his wife, Sue Woodbury Gerry, who met and fell in love when she was a student at Mt. Holyoke and married in Paris in 1955, retired to Maine, where Sue had deep roots. Myron Hamer ’53 and Mike Palmer ’53 warmly welcomed them to their nucleus of ’53 Class Maineiacs.
Harve was kind, understanding and compassionate; he gave of himself in so many ways. He and Sue had three children and eight grandchildren, for whom Harve and Sue became wonderful role models. They were fortunate to have had them both in their lives for a long time—but I suspect they feel not long enough. Those of us who knew and loved Harve were touched forever by him, and will never forget his many kindnesses to us and to others.
Anyone who meets just one “Harve Gerry” in their lives will be indeed fortunate.
We’ll miss you, Harve.
Reid Spencer ’53