Gerald Bernard Hyson, 85, lifelong resident of East Boothbay, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Feb. 1.
Jerry was born in Wiscasset, April 1, 1929, the third child of Charles and Cyclie Hyson. His family later moved to East Boothbay where he lived and worked the rest of his life.
In 1952 he married Carol Brown of Wiscasset and had three children. In the late 1960s, the family, together, built a new home on School Street.
His first job, while still in school, was with Cheseboro’s Dairy as a milkman. He even used the milk truck to take his driver’s test in. From there he worked as a shipwright in each of East Boothbay’s ship yards, Goudy and Stevens, Hodgdon Brothers and Fuller’s Shipyard. Later he worked with his brother, Rendall Hyson, building and remodeling homes.
On his own time, Jerry and his son Maurice would rebuild and repair summer cottages, docks and floats. His daughters often helped with cleaning those cottages and when fall came, helped haul the floats up.
Jerry was also a volunteer fireman for the East Boothbay Fire Department.
He later went to work for the Bath Iron Works as a crane operator before retiring.
Jerry was well known to many for his quick wit, his sense of playfulness and humor. But he was best known as being a strong man, with stout morals and impeccable work ethic. That also applied at home. They were raised with all the characteristics he possessed.
Jerry is predeceased by older brothers, Merle and Robert Hyson; and sister, Carlene Neuman.
He is survived by brother, Rendall Hyson of Boothbay Harbor; a multitude of nieces and nephews and their families; children, Lucinda Hyson-Chances and husband Ken of Boothbay, Maurice L. Hyson of Edgecomb, and Michelle Hyson-Farnham and former husband Fred of Boothbay; grandchildren, Rep. Terry Morrison, Donny, Maurice Jr., and Brian Hyson, Lindsey Hyson Duca, and Jerry and Marshall Farnham; step-granddaughter, Rhiannon Chances; and great-grandchildren, Saber and Roman Hyson, Trinity and Alyssa Hyson, Tessa Farnham, and Hunter Duca.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Sun., Feb. 8 at the Boothbay Firehouse.
In lieu of flowers, contribution may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org and the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall’s of Boothbay, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
