Jerry R. Desmond, Sr.

MAPLETON – Jerry R. Desmond, Sr., 77, loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, died Monday, Oct. 29, 2007 at Eastern Maine Medical Center. He was born Feb. 23, 1930 in Island Falls, the son of Pearl and Gertrude (Stairs) Desmond.
Jerry attended Island Falls Schools, graduating in 1947 from Island Falls High School where he was an outstanding athlete. After graduation he joined the army and served in Eritrea, Africa as a cryptographer. He was called “Jack Armstrong, All American Boy” by his army buddies, not only for his athletic ability but for his clean-cut, youthful image. On returning home, he married his high school sweetheart Mabel J. (Lenentine) Desmond.
He enrolled at ASTC to become a teacher, graduating in 1954 from UMPI with a BS Degree in Education. He started his teaching career at Mapleton High School where he also coached baseball and basketball. When the new Skyway School opened, he taught grade nine general business and coached baseball. Moving to Presque Isle High School, he was a civics and history instructor and taught driver ed. as an extra curricular program. He was the golf team coach and umpired baseball, was a member of the Northern Maine Board of Approved Umpires and served as president. He also served as president of the MSAD #1 Teachers Association, served on the MSAD #1 School Board for nine years, was secretary and president of the Mapleton Lion’s Club and advisor for the Washington DC Close Up Organization for ten years. He also taught Adult Education and was a member of AREA, MEA, NEA and AARP. Jerry loved history and was a Civil War historian. He loved sports as a participant and as a spectator. He played baseball for the Island Falls Athletic Club and the Presque Isle Indians. He also played softball for the Presque Isle Hummingbirds. He was a long time member of the Presque Isle Country Club where he enjoyed golfing with good friends. Jerry was recently honored as a charter member at the 50th Charter Night Anniversary of the Mapleton Lion’s Club.
Jerry enjoyed visiting historic sites in Pennsylvania Georgia, Tennessee, Arizona and Louisiana with his son Jerry Jr. They also visited the archives in Augusta and Washington, DC researching Civil War History and the life of his great grandfather Cornelius J. Desmond, Corporal of Company E fifteenth Maine Volunteer Regiment.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 56 years, are two sons, Jerry, Jr. and his wife Cherry of Rome, Georgia; Jed and his wife Madelene of Presque Isle; two daughters Ronnee and her husband Danny Johnston of Medway and Jennifer of Presque Isle; eight grandchildren, Lucas, Micah, Erin, Seth, Logan, Ethan, Wilder, Caroline and a great- granddaughter Olivia; sisters, Betty Quint of Patten, Katherine Merrill of Presque Isle and Sharon Porter of Old Town; brothers, Dale of Crystal, Donald of Portsmouth, NH, Kenneth of Easton and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Lloyd and Terry.
Relatives and friends called from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Duncan-Graves Funeral Home, 30 Church St, Presque Isle. Funeral services were held 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home with the Reverends Kenneth Phelps and Dave Goupille officiating. Interment in South Side Cemetery, Mapleton. Donations may be made in his memory to the Mapleton Lion’s Club, P.O. Box 175, Mapleton, Maine 04757.  Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.