Obituary for Gerald R. "Jerry" Lester
MECHANICVILLE - Gerald R. Lester, 82, a longtime resident of Mechanicville, passed away suddenly at his home on the evening of May 3, 2023, in the company of his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born and raised in Malone, NY on April 6, 1941, son of the late Newil and Laurentia Perrault Lester, he was a Franklin Academy graduate. There, he was a standout basketball and baseball athlete. Shortly after high school, Jerry joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country from 1961-64. Upon fulfilling his service obligation, he was honorably discharged.
Jerry met and married his wife Shirley in Malone, taking on the responsibility of two young daughters Laurie and Michelle Hourihan by a previous marriage, and raised their family there until a new job brought them all to Mechanicville nearly 38 years ago. Jerry’s career as a payroll supervisor at the Albany Stratton VA Hospital lasted for 24 years, until retiring in 2005. After retirement, Jerry drove school buses for Fulton County Schools in Alpharetta, GA and then became a school bus driver for the Hoosic Valley and Mechanicville School Districts for several years.
Jerry enjoyed sports, especially all Syracuse Orange and NY Yankee games, although his favorites were those of his grandchildren, where he was always found, under almost any circumstances. He also enjoyed camping with family and friends on RV trips with Shirley after retirement.
Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Shirley King Hourihan Lester, whom he married on June 29, 1968, children Laurie Hourihan, of Chatsworth, GA, Michelle(John) Boyea, of Tampa, FL, Todd(Tammy) Lester of Sanford, NC, Teri(Michael) Kraszewski of Mechanicville, and Brent Lester of Golden, CO, grandchildren Travis LaPage and Kyle Shutts, John Michael and Jackson Boyea, Trevor and Stephen Lester, Tyler and Andrew Kraszewski, Samuel Lester, and Alexander and Ethan LaValle; great grandchildren Kaeleigh, Ethan and Allyson. Also his siblings Barbara Lester, Judith(Henry) Gonyea, Sheila McMahon, Laura(Barry) Armstrong, David(Jacqui) Lester, sister-in-law Elaine Lester, and many nieces and nephews. He was also recently predeceased by his brother Gary Lester.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday from 4-7 at DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Friday, at the funeral home, with military honors at the Saratoga National Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, please support “A Night Out For You”, PO Box 1341, Latham NY 12110, which Jerry and his family were recipients of.
Jerry met and married his wife Shirley in Malone, taking on the responsibility of two young daughters Laurie and Michelle Hourihan by a previous marriage, and raised their family there until a new job brought them all to Mechanicville nearly 38 years ago. Jerry’s career as a payroll supervisor at the Albany Stratton VA Hospital lasted for 24 years, until retiring in 2005. After retirement, Jerry drove school buses for Fulton County Schools in Alpharetta, GA and then became a school bus driver for the Hoosic Valley and Mechanicville School Districts for several years.
Jerry enjoyed sports, especially all Syracuse Orange and NY Yankee games, although his favorites were those of his grandchildren, where he was always found, under almost any circumstances. He also enjoyed camping with family and friends on RV trips with Shirley after retirement.
Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Shirley King Hourihan Lester, whom he married on June 29, 1968, children Laurie Hourihan, of Chatsworth, GA, Michelle(John) Boyea, of Tampa, FL, Todd(Tammy) Lester of Sanford, NC, Teri(Michael) Kraszewski of Mechanicville, and Brent Lester of Golden, CO, grandchildren Travis LaPage and Kyle Shutts, John Michael and Jackson Boyea, Trevor and Stephen Lester, Tyler and Andrew Kraszewski, Samuel Lester, and Alexander and Ethan LaValle; great grandchildren Kaeleigh, Ethan and Allyson. Also his siblings Barbara Lester, Judith(Henry) Gonyea, Sheila McMahon, Laura(Barry) Armstrong, David(Jacqui) Lester, sister-in-law Elaine Lester, and many nieces and nephews. He was also recently predeceased by his brother Gary Lester.
Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Thursday from 4-7 at DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S Main St, Mechanicville. Funeral services will be held at 10am on Friday, at the funeral home, with military honors at the Saratoga National Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, please support “A Night Out For You”, PO Box 1341, Latham NY 12110, which Jerry and his family were recipients of.