Joseph Brandon Armstrong Gerrish, 39, most recently of San Antonio, Tex. and formerly of Waldoboro, died unexpectedly April 13 as the result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Joseph was born in Portland, Ore. July 20, 1970, the son of Ronald Gerrish and Beverly Koenig. He grew up in Port Orchard, Wash. and graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1988.
Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he attended the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Cal.; Helicopter Mechanic School, Memphis, Tenn.; and Naval Aircrewman Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla. Joe’s permanent duty station was Camp Pendleton, Cal., 3D Marine Aircraft Wing, HMLA 369, where he worked on Huey and Cobra helicopters. He served in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield and also spent time in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged in 1992 and then moved to Waldoboro.
Joe graduated from Northeast Career Schools and then began a career as a long-haul truck driver, first for DTI and then for Harrt Transportation. After leaving the trucking business, he began work at the Maine State Prison as a Corrections Officer. Joe worked at the prison for more than 12 years, until he began attending college and then moved to Texas to continue his studies and be closer to his brother. Most recently he was attending Texas A&M University, studying Education. He was student teaching 3rd grade and was in his last year before receiving his bachelor’s degree.
Joe loved sailing and always spoke of his childhood sailing experiences around Roche Harbor, San Juan Island, Wash. He also enjoyed riding his Harley. Joe was very skilled at woodworking and made many pieces of furniture. He could also work on cars.
Joe was predeceased by his grandmothers, June Long of Washington state; Beatrice Rice of Damariscotta; Louise Blackler of Waldoboro; and Alda Elwell of Newcastle.
Joe is survived by his children Jessica Gerrish and Cameron Gerrish and their mother, Christa Elwell, all of Tenants Harbor; father, Ronald Gerrish and wife, Sheila of Everett, Wash.; mother, Karen Gerrish and companion Larry Chapman of Packwood, Wash.; brother, Ronald “Matt” Gerrish of San Antonio, Tex.; sister, Tiffany Wilhelm and husband, Jeff of Port Orchard, Wash.; childhood best friend, John Alford of Phoenix, Ariz.; best friend in Maine, Paul Dever of Washington; former mother-in-law, Linda Rice of Warren; former fathers-in-law, Gordon Blackler of S. Thomaston and Jerry Elwell of Newcastle; former brothers-in-law, Todd Elwell, Mass. and Gabe Elwell, MD; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Interment 2 p.m., Wed., June 16 at the new Veteran’s Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta. In August, family and close friends will gather in Washington state to spread the rest of Joe’s remains in Roche Harbor.
