Gerald McQuiston

The family of Gerald McQuiston shares that he passed away on Sunday, June 11.  Gerry, the first child of George Joseph and Eileen (Dunn) McQuiston, was born in Waltham, Massachusetts on May 16, 1947.  He lived with his parents and grandparents, James W. and Louise (Cooley) McQuiston in Waltham.  He attended the Fernald School and lived in Sudbury, Framingham, and Natick, happily spending summers at Old Orchard Beach, Maine.  Gerry was employed at Bowmar Electronics and the Wayside Inn.  He was proud to be a hard worker, often recounting with precision his achievements.  He had a facility for numbers and an extraordinary memory.

Gerry enjoyed music, sports, biking, walking, swimming, good meals (especially his mother’s baked stuffed lobster), television series (especially Batman), and the ocean.  He was happy at the beach, his transistor radio tuned to Red Sox games or the music of the fifties and sixties.  He loved spending time with his parents at their home in Maine.

Beginning as a teenager, he built an extraordinary collection of records and then CDs.  He enjoyed making friends and finding ways to connect with others.  The DJs at WBZ sent him pictures; the staff of the St. Paul, Minnesota call center enjoyed talking to him and remembered him at Christmas with cards.  Gerry contributed to the lives of his family and friends in many ways and prayed for everyone he knew and many that he didn’t, asking for God’s blessing for each person by name.

Gerry was predeceased by his parents.  He is survived by his sisters and brothers and their spouses:  Ellen and husband Mark Wallace, John McQuiston and wife Rita Loreti, Susan McQuiston, Timothy McQuiston and wife Marla, and Diane and husband, John Trant.  He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends will honor and remember Gerry’s life by gathering on Thursday, June 15th for visitation in Saint Martha's Church, 30 Portland Road, Kennebunk, Maine from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. followed by his funeral Mass celebrated at 11:30 a.m. in the church. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery, Kennebunk, Maine.

The family appreciates all those who cared for Gerry, including the staff of Advocates Inc. and MetroWest Hospice. 

Contributions in Gerry’s memory may be made to the Special Olympics 512 Forest Street, Marlborough, MA 01752 www.specialolympicsma.org or and the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 900, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or www.aaidd.org/home