Roll Call Tribute

Published in Rockford (IL) Register Star on Sept. 27, 2016

Elbridge Gerry(1922 - 2016)
Elbridge Gerry 1922—2016
Elbridge "Elbie" Gerry, the son of Alex and Marie Gerry, died Sept. 22, 2016. He was born in Hibbing, MN. on July 7, 1922, and was raised in Duluth, MN. He was a graduate of The Mount Herman School in Northfield, MA and Texas A&M University. Upon graduation Elbie served in the Marine Corp. during WWII. After the war he returned to Houston and went to work for the Gaylord Container Co. He married Barbara Elizabeth Eisner on Dec. 30, 1950. He received orders back into the Marines for The Korean War 2 weeks after they returned from their honeymoon. Elbie started the GEM Insurance Agency in Houston and later was CEO of BlueWater Marine Supply Co. He served 2 terms as alderman of Piney Pointe Village, a suburb of Houston. Elbie was a charter member of the Houston University Club, but his true love was sailing. He was a member of the Houston Yacht Club, Lakewood Yacht Club, and was Commodore of The Galveston Bay Cruising Assoc. While Commodore, a race between Galveston and Vera Cruz, Mexico was organized. About 30 boats from the Houston area, Corpus Christi, and New Orleans participated. Wives and children awaited the racers in Vera Cruz and a grand Fiesta was enjoyed by all. Elbie and his family raced in Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. He was a sponsor of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Dragon Class Trials held at the Houston Yacht club. His boat, the Sirocco, was the weather stake boat, where the boats started and ended the race. Many stories can be told of their cruises in the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and from Lake Champlain to their cabin on Madeline Island in Lake Superior. He is survived by his wife Barbara, son Edward Gerry, daughter, Susan Wolfson (William), daughter, Margo Propst (Edward), sister, Margot Rowland, grandchildren, Scott Gerry, Collin Gerry, Benjamin Gerry, Alex Wolfson, Joe Wolfson, Nelson Propst, and Kemi Propst, and great-grandchildren Addison Gerry, Marion Gerry, Elbridge Gerry, and James Gerry. He was predeceased by his sister Katy (Dr. Stanley) Bardwell, and his son, Capt.Tom Gerry. Private family services will be held. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com. Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd., assisted the family in arrangements.

Funeral Home
Olson Funeral and Cremation Services, North Main Chapel
2811 N. Main St. Rockford, IL 61103
815-963-6521