Obituary for Gerald E. "Jerry" Sweeney
COHOES Gerald E. Sweeney, 83, formerly of Manor Ave. passed away peacefully Monday October 3, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Elmira, he was the son of the late Timothy and Dorothy Gillette Sweeney. He enlisted in the US Army at a young age and proudly served in Europe with the 101st Airborne Division from 1956-1962. After returning home, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Elmira College.
Jerry proudly worked for the NYS Dept. of Corrections and Community Supervision until retiring in 1997 as Deputy Superintendent of Security. Prior to that he had worked as a Postal Carrier in Elmira. He was a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Cohoes Waterford Elks Lodge 1317, and he belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Always a huge sports enthusiast, Jerry, also known as “Jelly” since high school where he served as Student Council President, was an avid NY Yankees and Buffalo Bills fan and was himself a Golden Gloves boxer. He coached youth basketball and baseball for several years and continued to play competitively himself late into his 40’s. In his later years, Jerry loved cheering on his grandson Aiden’s little league games and instructing the umpires on their strike zone. Jerry cherished his dog C.J and also enjoyed getting together with his breakfast crew for their daily meetings at Don & Paul’s, Babe’s Café and Bill’s Diner.
Jerry was the loving husband of Patricia Hamilton Sweeney; the beloved father of Kelly Ahearn (Joseph) of Brunswick, Geri Ann Sweeney of Ovid, Colleen Titus (Mark) of Horseheads Patricia Schmelzle (Jason) of Ovid, Daniel Sweeney (Jill) of Grand Island and Timothy E. Sweeney (Juanita) of North Carolina; the brother of Michael Joseph Sweeney of Albany and the late JoEllen Sweeney. He was “Pop” to Aiden J. Ahearn, Christopher, David, Eli and Sarah Corning, Ryan and Shannon Titus, Melanie Coll, Jacob, Stephen Gerald and Lydia Sweeney, Joseph Poth, Michael and Kyle Dox, Zachary and Megan Sweeney. He is also survived by several great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes. Relatives and friends may visit from 1 - 4 p.m. prior to the service.
Interment will be with military honors on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.
On a date later to be determined, the family will also hold a Celebration of Jerry’s Life, in Elmira, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Assoc, 1003 Loudon Rd, Cohoes, NY 12047 or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204
Born in Elmira, he was the son of the late Timothy and Dorothy Gillette Sweeney. He enlisted in the US Army at a young age and proudly served in Europe with the 101st Airborne Division from 1956-1962. After returning home, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Elmira College.
Jerry proudly worked for the NYS Dept. of Corrections and Community Supervision until retiring in 1997 as Deputy Superintendent of Security. Prior to that he had worked as a Postal Carrier in Elmira. He was a member and past Exalted Ruler of the Cohoes Waterford Elks Lodge 1317, and he belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Always a huge sports enthusiast, Jerry, also known as “Jelly” since high school where he served as Student Council President, was an avid NY Yankees and Buffalo Bills fan and was himself a Golden Gloves boxer. He coached youth basketball and baseball for several years and continued to play competitively himself late into his 40’s. In his later years, Jerry loved cheering on his grandson Aiden’s little league games and instructing the umpires on their strike zone. Jerry cherished his dog C.J and also enjoyed getting together with his breakfast crew for their daily meetings at Don & Paul’s, Babe’s Café and Bill’s Diner.
Jerry was the loving husband of Patricia Hamilton Sweeney; the beloved father of Kelly Ahearn (Joseph) of Brunswick, Geri Ann Sweeney of Ovid, Colleen Titus (Mark) of Horseheads Patricia Schmelzle (Jason) of Ovid, Daniel Sweeney (Jill) of Grand Island and Timothy E. Sweeney (Juanita) of North Carolina; the brother of Michael Joseph Sweeney of Albany and the late JoEllen Sweeney. He was “Pop” to Aiden J. Ahearn, Christopher, David, Eli and Sarah Corning, Ryan and Shannon Titus, Melanie Coll, Jacob, Stephen Gerald and Lydia Sweeney, Joseph Poth, Michael and Kyle Dox, Zachary and Megan Sweeney. He is also survived by several great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes. Relatives and friends may visit from 1 - 4 p.m. prior to the service.
Interment will be with military honors on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville.
On a date later to be determined, the family will also hold a Celebration of Jerry’s Life, in Elmira, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Assoc, 1003 Loudon Rd, Cohoes, NY 12047 or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204