Friday, August 21, 2020
Forty-three years ago I was a fresh-faced detective for the PD in Wallingford when I happened to meet this elegant refined gentleman who had just taken over the directorship of security at Choate. From that moment an enduring friendship was born. G-rod was a true gentleman, classy, dignified, yet with a lebrechuans sense of humor and mischief. An expert at human relations, anyone whoever met him was immediately disarmed and left happy to do anything he aksed for. A marvelous person, a solid, life-long friend, always true. Leaving CT for Vermont did not mean leaving friendship behind. I would often be told by my dispatchers that "Senator Kennedy" had called looking for me, I had to remind Gerry at one point that the good Senator had died two years earlier. The smile, the laugh. I was fortunate enough to be with him at his retirement from Choate- the outpouring of friendship from faculty and town alike was overwhelming for such a modest guy. I'm glad we got to talk a few weeks ago. I learned this evening of his passing. Requisat in pace, my friend, may God hold you in the palm of his hand and may perpetual light shine on you. A life well lived, a life well remembered.
Tom Hanley
Middlebury, Vermont
