YORK, Gerard A., 88, August 25, 2015. Interment held in the Ludlow Cemetery. Arrangements by Dunn Funeral Home, Houlton.
HOULTON – Gerard Allison York, 88, passed away August 25, 2015 at a Bangor hospital. He was born October 6, 1926, at Houlton, the son of Edward J. and Angie (Guiou) York.
Gerard grew up in the Houlton area and was a graduate of Houlton High School. Shortly after his high school graduation, during World War II, he enlisted into the US Navy. Following his time in the service, Gerard attended Ricker College, where he met his future wife, Hope Fleming.
Gerard had many jobs over the course of his life, including caring for logging horses in the Wytopitlock woods, and driving a potato digger, but his most beloved job was the 20 years he spent traveling the rails from Oakfield to Madawaska for the B&A Railroad. He started working on the B&A as a fireman for his engineer father, and eventually was promoted to engineer. In 1960, Gerard and Hope started York’s Dairy Bar, serving families in Aroostook County for many years. In the same entrepreneurial spirit, Gerard purchased the Ralph L. Berry Company on April 1, 1968, and changed the name to York Ford Sales. Gerard was well respected by his employees and the customers he served, and never really retired.
In addition to his work, Gerard had many hobbies. He enjoyed baseball, airplanes, hunting, and going to camp, to name a few. As a young man, he was a member of the Houlton Collegians, playing third base and helping out the team with his strong bat. He also played in the Houlton Men’s softball league. Always the avid Red Sox fan, Gerard never missed a game, whether he watched it on television, attended in person, or listened on the radio. For a few years, Gerard piloted his Piper Cherokee airplane, making short buying trips for York’s of Houlton. Although Gerard enjoyed every day to its fullest, he especially looked forward to fall, which brought hunting season. He loved going to camp, first at Wytopitlock Lake, and later on the Aroostook River, to spend time with his friends and hunt for birds or deer.
Gerard wanted to thank all of his friends and family members who drove him to his appointments in Brewer. He truly enjoyed the travel time that afforded him the opportunity to swap stories, share feelings, and gain insight with some of the people he cared about. Gerard was gregarious to the end. He was one of a kind.
His wife, Hope; his brother, Malcolm; and his sisters, Ruth, Virginia, and Gwen predeceased Gerard. He is survived by his sister, Barbara; his children and their spouses, Dick and Sue; Nancy and Al; Jerry and Jane; and Dawn and Bob; his grandchildren, Jessica, Meg, Jamie, Rebecca, Zachary, Emily, Alison, Martha, Albert, Ellen, David, Collin, Erin, Mark, Claire, Eben and Lowell; and his great-grandchildren James, Cole, Sabra, Justus, Joseph, Addie, Asa, Catherine, Joseph, Sarah, Elizabeth, William, Orla, Albie, Elizabeth, Henry, Jada, Laila and Max.
Friends called at the Dunn Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. A celebration of Gerard’s life was at 3 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment with military honors followed at the Ludlow Cemetery. Gifts may be made in Gerard’s memory to the Houlton High School Alumni Association, c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park Street, Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences and guest book: dunnfuneral.com.
