Obituary: Gerald VanNest, 87, Lyons Falls
Published: September 30, 2024
By: Provided by Iseneker
Funeral Home
Gerald “Fergie” VanNest
LYONS FALLS – Gerald “Fergie” VanNest, 87, of McAlpine Street, passed away early
Friday morning, September 27, 2024 at his home,
under the care of his loving family and Lewis County Hospice.
A private graveside
service at Wildwood Cemetery, Lyons Falls with Deacon James Chaufty will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be
made to the Lyons Falls Fire Department, P.O. Box 520, Lyons Falls, NY
13368 or Friends of Lewis County Hospice, P.O. Box 266, Lowville, NY
13367. Arrangements are with Iseneker Funeral Home, Inc., Lowville.
He is survived by
his beloved wife of 66 years, Shirley; four children, Jerry VanNest (Pamela
Bray) of Rome; Doug and Monica VanNest of Lowville; Brian and Deana VanNest
of Pawley’s Island, SC; and Julie and Dennis Conmay
of Windsor, CO; grandchildren, Hailey and Kacey Conmay,
Mikayla VanNest, Brennan and Nicholas VanNest, Melissa Scott (Tanner
Blair), Jason (Sara) Scott, Eric (MacKenzie)
Scott, Dylan Eddy; ten great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and
cousins. He is predeceased by a
granddaughter, Madison VanNest; his siblings, Robert (Ardeth) VanNest, John
(Katherine) VanNest; Keith (Betty) VanNest, Rachel (Bill) Szucs; Mary
(Robert) Burr; Joan (Charles) Skiff.
Gerald was born
on November 24, 1936 in Barnes Corners, NY, a son
of the late Ferguson John and Anna McDonald VanNest. He graduated from General Martin High
School in 1954 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving until his honorable
discharge in 1957. On July 19, 1958,
he married Shirley Teal at St. John’s Catholic Church, Lyons Falls with
Rev. Aloysious Isley, Pastor officiating.
Gerald was a truck driver for Teal’s Express for 35 years, retiring
in 1992.
He was past Fire
Chief of Lyons Falls Fire Department and also a member
of Boonville American Legion. He was
a past board member and president of the South Lewis School Board of
Education for five years and was a member of Lyons Falls Village
Board.
Gerald enjoyed
coaching the Georgia Pacific Babe Ruth Baseball Team and was an avid Yankee
fan. He cheered on the New York Giants but his favorite past time was watching his
children’s sporting events as well as piano recitals and band
concerts. In later years he traveled
the country to visit his children and grandchildren.
Condolences may
be made online at www.isenekerfuneralhome.com.
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