Gerald Francis Willson

North Greenbush - Gerald Francis Willson, 87, died Friday, June 23, 2023, at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a long illness.

Born in Troy, he was son of the late Richard E. Willson and Margaret M. Wood Willson and husband for 64 years  of Eleanor Flubacher Willson. He was a lifelong resident of Troy and a graduate of Troy High School.

Gerald was a Meat Manager at the former Yaiser's Market on Congress Street in Troy and for Golub Corporation at various Price Chopper Supermarkets. He served eight years in the Army National Guard, achieving rank of Sergeant. In addition, worked as a Computer Programmer at Troy Water Works and was elected two terms and served eight years as a North Greenbush Town Councilman.

He was a member of the Troy Lodge of Elks (Dart League), Emerald Athletic Club (Softball), Ida Hill Association and Lifelong member of Germania Hall along with his wife. As an avid athlete and competitor, there wasn’t a sport Jerry didn’t enjoy playing. As a lifelong NY Yankees fan, his most memorable game was a double header in NYC, while Eleanor was pregnant with Gerry. He enjoyed coaching his sons and grandsons for many years through Twin Town Little League, and rarely missed any of his grandchildren’s events.

Once retired they enjoyed winters in South Padre Island and never stopped a family tradition, started in 1964 vacationing every summer in Hampton Beach, NH. Jerry loved the ocean and couldn’t wait to share it with his grandchildren. Jerry enjoyed music, but it didn’t stop there, at any event you could count on Jerry being the first and last on the dance floor.

Survivors in addition to his wife include a daughter, Jan (Pete) Dolan, Wynantskill; three sons, Gerry (Deb) Willson,  Troy, Craig (Julie) Willson, Troy and Eric (Laurie) Willson, Troy; his grandchildren, Peter (Katherine) Dolan Jr. Troy, Zachary (Rachael) Dolan, Troy, Samantha (Kyle) Keenan, Troy, Gerald (Sydney) Willson Jr., Wynantskill, Christopher (Kaitlyn) Willson, Troy, Luke Willson, Newburyport MA, Zoë Willson, Farmington NY, Brendan Willson, Troy, and Max Willson, Troy; 3 great-grandsons, with 2 great-granddaughters on the way; his siblings, John (Pat) Willson, his sister-in-law Patricia Willson, James Willson, Margaret 'Peg' (Patrick) Hughes, Robert (Martha) Willson, and David (Cindy) Willson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Richard and Ronald Willson and Sister-in-laws Jane and Marcella Willson.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc.  276 Pawling  Avenue Troy on Monday, June 26, 2023 from 4- 7 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday at 9:30 AM at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 175 Williams Road, Troy, NY 12180.

Interment will be in Elmwood Hill Cemetery Troy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Gerald Francis Willson to the Alzheimer's Association 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago IL 60601.

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