Gerald Arthur Emery

HANOVER – Gerald Arthur Emery of Hanover, Maine went to be with our Lord and Savior with his loving family by his side Sept. 20, 2023.

Gerry, as he liked to be called, was born in Gilead Maine on April 16, 1932, the second born of three children to Margaret and Sherman Emery. He had two siblings Sherman and Madeline Emery as well as three half siblings Kenneth, Donald and Shirley Emery. He lived in Gilead with his family and participated in Gilead elementary school. His family moved to East Bethel so he and his siblings could attend Ethel Bisbee and high school at Gould Academy. Gerry was an avid skier. He loved hiking Tuckerman’s Ravine to ski during spring months after a long winter of ski jumping and downhill racing in high school. He also enjoyed playing football. He graduated from high school at Gould Academy in 1951. After high school he experienced a year at the University of Maine at Bangor for Agricultural which came to an end as he was drafted into the army during the Korean War and served in the reserves for ten years. Gerald married his wife, Dorothy Anne Knox, of 65 years on Aug. 16, 1953. They had five children over 11 years. Gerald was a barber for many years in Bethel then decided to change professions by becoming a self taught woodworker and mason. He loved building furniture and cabinets as well as building beautiful stone fireplaces and chimneys. He volunteered at the Hanover library by building shelves, cabinets etc., and was recognized by the town as well as the state for his volunteer services there. He challenged himself every year cutting, splitting and preparing wood for the long, cold Maine winters. He was still preparing most of his wood until he was 90 years old with the help of his kindhearted neighbor, children and grandchildren. He was well loved by many. Gerry had a long-standing strong faith in God. He worked with the pastor to help start the Gospel Center church in Bethel which is presently the Alliance Church. Gerry and his immediate family were always devoted to sharing God’s word with many in their home and wherever they traveled.

Gerald is survived by his four children, Gina Douglass, Karen Verrill and her husband Brian Verrill, Kathy Brown, Jeffrey Emery and David Brown. He also had eight grandchildren, Braden, Bronson, Brianne, Brooke, Chance, Christy, Caydran and Emily, as well as 16 great-grandchildren. He truly loved everyone of them.

He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy, his siblings, Sherman and Madeleine, half siblings, Kenneth and Shirley as well as his son Jerry and grandchildren, Hilary and Brandon and son-in-law Brian.

Family and friends are invited to attend his Celebration of Life service at the Alliance Church in Bethel, on Sunday Nov. 19, 2023, at 2 p.m. Please bring your favorite stories to share.