Joseph A. Gerard, 85, formerly of Housatonic, died on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Hillcrest Commons in Pittsfield. Born August 2, 1938, in Great Barrington, he was the son of Arthur and Helen (Barry) Gerard. He attended the former Searles High School in Great Barrington, where he was a standout athlete, playing basketball, baseball, and golf. He was even scouted by the Boston Red Sox, but was unfortunately deemed too small to be a pro player.
Joe was driven to serve his country. At the age of 16, he got his mom to sign a waiver and enlisted in the U.S. Airforce. He served all over the world, including Italy and Alaska. He was found to have an affinity for languages and attended Language School in Monterey, Calif. in 1969. He focused on the Slavic languages, including Russian. In the early 1970s, he and his family moved to a very small town in Bavaria, Germany, where he was very active in the German-American Friendship Club, which brought German and American families together. He was a lifelong Johnny Cash fan and introduced his music and other country singers to his German friends. In 1975, his assignment took the family to Vienna, Austria, where Joe worked at the American Embassy as an interpreter and translator. He even had the opportunity to meet President Jimmy Carter when he came to Vienna for the SALT II talks! In 1979, after serving for 25 years, he retired from military life as a Senior Master Sergeant and moved home to Housatonic.
Joe was a quiet, hardworking man who was devoted to his children. He was an avid supporter of both his children’s sports activities and tried to go to all their games. He took great pride in maintaining the yard at his home in Housatonic where he had a productive garden. He also loved to grill out, and he loved the Red Sox! During retirement, he renewed his passion for golf and played as often as possible at Wyantenuck, where he was a member.
Joe was a Communicant of Corpus Christi Church in Housatonic. He worked for John B. Hull and managed the Canaan, Conn. office for many years.
Joe is survived by his two children, Chester Gerard and Lori Gerard Kurland, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother James W. Gerard and his sister Jean F. Murphy.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 9, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a service at 12 p.m. at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, conducted by Rev. William Murphy. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Housatonic. Donations in memory of Joe may be made to American Alzheimer’s Association for their research on dementia in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. To send remembrances to his family, please visit the funeral home’s website.
