Gerald Dominick "Jerry" Greely, 84, died on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024, at his Southeast Florida home due to sepsis. He was born on October 7, 1940, in Gloucester, MA, the son of the late James C. Greely Jr. and Mary E. (Flatley). He attended St. Ann's Grammar School and graduated in 1958 from Gloucester High, where he captained varsity football, pitched varsity baseball, played trombone in the band, served as ROTC cadet colonel, and was named 'Best All-Around Student.'

His baseball career continued at Boston College, and he pitched in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska in 1960 and again in 1961. During college, he played for the Dorchester Town Team in the Boston Park League, led ROTC as cadet colonel, and graduated with Distinguished Military Graduate status. In one short week in June 1962, he received his degree from BC, was sworn in as a Regular Army 2nd Lt., and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Anne Jackson. They spent 62 devoted years married, creating a wonderful life together.

Trained in Nike Hercules Nuclear Missiles at Ft. Bliss, Texas, Greely completed paratrooper training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to his first nuclear missile site in the San Francisco Defense. He rose from launcher platoon leader to executive officer and Headquarters Battery Commander. From 1964 to 1965, he commanded a nuclear missile site in Korea, where he received the Army Commendation Medal.

Jerry returned from Korea to join the Greely Funeral Service in Gloucester, MA, where he served with his family for 15 years. He was very active in the community: Rotary Club President, American Red Cross, Interfaith Commission, 350th City Anniversary Committee, Addison Gilbert Hospital trustee, Zoning Board of Appeals member/chairman, GHS reunion committee, Sawyer Free Library board of directors, Eastern Point Yacht Club member, life member of Gloucester Amvets Post #32, Boston College Varsity Club, and BC Diamond Club. In his spare time, he loved to play softball, row dories, camp, and downhill ski, and he had a passion for motorcycles.

In 1981, he entered the financial field, returning in the late 80's to Marin County, CA for three years. His career spanned 25 years with First Commodity Corporation, Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank/Alex Brown, and his independent status in 1999. During his tenure, he was licensed to practice in all 50 states.

On two wheels, Greely toured the European Alps and Southern Alps of New Zealand and rarely missed an opportunity to attend rallies in Daytona Beach, FL, Louden, NH, or Sturgis, SD. Always a daredevil, Jerry bungy jumped off the highest bridge in New Zealand. He completed the Boston Marathon with his son, made a 29-day round trip 12,800-mile motorcycle journey from Florida to Alaska with ten friends, traced roots in Ireland and England with Mary Anne, and travelled back to Korea.

Together with his wife, he loved to garden. Following the MA 'Perfect Storm' of 1991, he hand-built stone walls fronting his property on the Back Shore. In 2004, Jerry and Mary Anne moved to Palm Beach County, Florida. They enjoyed 20 beautiful years discovering the joys of subtropical gardening, making new friends, and traveling throughout North America in their RV and motorcycle. They became devoted communicants at their local Catholic parish.

In addition to his wife, Jerry is survived by a son, Gerald D. "Jay" Greely, Jr., husband of Juli (Geatz) of FL and SC; two daughters, Cynthia L., wife of Jeffrey Beck of MA, and Susan E., wife of Frank Johnson of SC. He was 'Papa' to three grandsons, Graham and Kieran Beck, and Eli Johnson, and four granddaughters, Kamryn Greely, Molly Beck, and Chloe and Olivia Johnson. He is also survived by brother John Greely of MA, sister Noreen Colantuono of NH, and many nieces and nephews. His brother James Greely, sister Nancy Scofield, sister-in-law Claudia Greely, brother-in-law Walter Colantuono, niece Cheryl Greely, and nephew Zachary Scofield predeceased him.

Visiting hours at Palm Beach National Chapel will be Friday, December 6, 2024, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church, Wellington, FL, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. A burial with full military honors will take place in South Florida National Cemetery on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Livestream Jerry's funeral Mass here:
https://www.youtube.com/@sainttheresedelisieuxwelli9593/streams

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wreaths Across America.
https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/