Obituary: Jerry M. Desmond, 63, of Stonington

Obituary courtesy of Mystic Funeral Home:

Jerry M. Desmond, loving husband of Jacquelyn (Gauvin) Desmond, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Friday, December 24, 2021 at the Westerly Hospital. A battle that he faced with his infectiously exuberant optimism and can-do spirit that he gave everything in his life. He was 63.

Jerry was born May 23,1958 to James H. Desmond and Phyllis (Maynard) Desmond in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Since the age of 5 he has lived in Stonington. Jerry, predeceased by his parents, attributed to them his strong work ethic. They modeled that each has an obligation to help others and to give whatever you are doing your full and complete effort, he lived up to this until the end.

A product of Stonington Public Schools, he served those schools for decades after graduating as a substitute teacher and tutor. He excelled on the playing fields and later made sports possible for those that followed him.

As a Police Officer he protected the streets of Stonington for 35 years, his proudest moments serving as the Captain of the Department for 17 years.

An education major at Southern Connecticut State University, due to lack of teaching positions upon graduation, he became a police officer as well as an assistant football coach and assistant track and field coach at his alma mater and head coach of the girls gymnastics team for the same beloved Bears, which he continued to coach to this day.

Working with youth was one of the most rewarding parts of his career. A high point being the 1991 SHS State Championship Football Team. Described as a season of a lifetime with his friend Bob Mitchell. He especially enjoyed his time as Stonington’s Youth Officer.

Jerry graduated from the FBI Training Academy in Quantico and received his Masters Degree in Homeland Security Leadership from UCONN and went on to teach the same as an adjunct professor at Mitchell College.

After retiring from the Police Department, he began a new career with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as its Boating Safety and Education Representative, continuing his great love of teaching.

He has also served on the Presidents Council-Mystic Aquarium

His heart and soul were always with the Town of Stonington. He won many awards and citations over the years because of his passion and fervor in everything he did. Most recently he was inducted into the Stonington High School Athletic Hall of Fame, named the CHSCA Assistant Coach of the year for gymnastics and named the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators National Educator of the Year 2021.

There are literally thousands of people, particularly kids, in Stonington and beyond, who were enriched by his mentoring and generosity. He lifted up everyone he met and could brighten a day just by showing up. Truly a life well lived.

Jerry had an infectious laugh and quick wit and was always upbeat, with a positive outlook on life. He was a fighter until the bitter end.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sister, Patricia Sauer(Vincent); brother, Walter(Karen) Petters, his stepchildren, Kathryn Jennings(Seth Pennington)and Kyle Jennings(Stephanie)and his 6 grandchildren, Landon, Cecily, Charlotte, Wyatt, Martélise and June, who loved their Bobo dearly.

He is also survived by his nieces, Jessica Vanhorn(Elaine), Sharon Steffens(Philip) and their daughter Emily.

Jerry’s family will receive relatives and friends Sunday, January 2, 2022 from 11-2 and 5-8 pm at the Stonington High School Gymnasium, 176 South Broad St. Pawcatuck. A service will be celebrated Monday, January 3, at 11:30 am at St. Michael Church 60 Liberty St. in Pawcatuck. Following his service, he will be buried at St. Michael Cemetery, in Pawcatuck. Face masks are required when entering the high school Sunday and Monday in church.

A special thank you to his dear friends, Tricia and Michael Barber and Dane Lewis, Dr. Robert Legare, Rebecca Curioso RN, Dr. Anne Chiang and the entire Smilow staff at YNHH.

In lieu of flowers ,please donate to any of his most cherished causes, the Stonington High School Athletic Boosters, 176 South Broad Street, Pawcatuck,Ct.06379., the Westerly Hospital Foundation for benefit of the Smilow Cancer Center at the Westerly Hospital 25 Wells Street, Westerly RI.02891., the Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd, Mystic, CT. 06355. or to the American Cancer Society @ www.cancer.org