In times like these I often need to borrow the words of others. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, The Great Gatsby, upon learning of Gatsby’s passing, Meyer Wolfsheim tells the narrator, Nick, “Let us learn to show friendship for a man when he is alive and not after he is dead.” My wish here is I that had taken the time to do that for Jerry.
Jerry had intimated he had health problems, but never truly acknowledged (to me, at least) the extent of his fight. I am posting a note I received from his wife, Kristie. She and his family have my sincerest sympathies.
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Dear Friends,
My husband, Jerry Gutlon, passed away July 7th after a long battle with heart and lung disease. He fought hard, but in the end, it was time for the Lord to take him home.
I have to admit, this has been very hard for me to take. I love him with all of my heart and wish he would come back. His son, Joshua, has been my rock through this whole thing. His daughter, Alicia, hasn’t taken this very well, and I feel like I just need to back off and let her grieve in her own way.
The funeral will be Tuesday, July 14, at 5:30pm at Conner Westbury Funeral Home in Griffin, GA.Visitation will follow until 8:30. The address for Conner Westbury Funeral Home is 1891 W. McIntosh Rd., Griffin, GA 30223.The phone number is (770) 227-2300. The burial will take place Wednesday, July 15, at 1:00 at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, GA. He will be buried with full military honors.
The address for the Georgia National Cemetery is 2025 Mount Carmel Church Ln., Canton, GA 30114. The phone number for the administration office is (770) 479-9300. For those of you who live in the New England area, I’m considering the possibility of traveling to Massachusetts to do something in his memory with his friends and family up there. I don’t know for sure if I’ll be able to do it, but I’m hoping I can.
If you would like to contact me, my e-mail address is HiCNote@yahoo.com. I’ll try to keep track of Jerry’s e-mail for a while.
Thank you all so much for being Jerry’s friends. Jerry was a good man, and I’m honored and privileged to be his wife. God bless all of you.
Sincerely,
Kristie Gutlon
10 comments:
Rest in peace, Jerry. My sympathies to Jerry's family, This is so sad to hear.
Wow, I knew he was sick but...I'm speechless.
RIP and condolences to the family.
RIP Jerry, we harldy knew ye...
So sorry to hear this. With this site and his book he contributed to a better understanding by Red Sox fans of their own history and the news. Though we never knew him, he will be missed.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Clearly he wrote with a passion about things for which many of us share is passion, and I have missed his contributions and his zest for debate and am saddened that they are taken from us,although the permanence of his contribution to the lore of Red Sox literature is assured.
I would like to add my condolences to Jerry's family and friends. This is a sad day. I did not know Jerry in person but definitely felt a kinship with respect to love for the Red Sox; love for journalism; as well as military service.
Requiscat in Pacem, kindred spirit
Dave M
Side note to OB: I have noticed over the years that you have been able to rise above the fray and display a genuine sense of magnanimity. thank you
PS In honor of Jerry's spirit, this DSW show will go on...things have settled down for me personally and I wil do my best to maintain the site
One other thing. If you have time, check out Jerry's bio
http://sportsreporter16.tripod.com/id1.html
He had a fascinating career between his military service, work in small towns and work in larger towns. Seemed like he lived his dream. I am very sad he has passed away; however, my hunch is that he died with a sense of great self-fulfillment, pride and honor
Thoughts and prayers are with Jerry's family at this time. Rest in peace.
Timmy
Dave,
Send me an email if you can.
Rick
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