1925
Gerald
2015
Gerald Dever
August 30, 1925 — April 26, 2015
Gerald 'Jerry' Dever of Stowe passed away at Copley Hospital on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at the age of 89.
He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on August 30, 1925, the youngest son of James and Alice (Sullivan) Dever. He married Isabel Aja on May 1, 1947 in Barre, Vermont.
As a child, Jerry lived with Dr. John Allen and his wife Marion (Sullivan) Allen in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He attended St. John's Prep School in Danvers, Massachusetts. In 1942, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served during World War II in Brazil, South America. He was discharged as an aviation machinist's mate third class and went on to graduate from St. Michael's College in 1951 with a BS in Business Administration.
Jerry always had a love of working with his hands. During his time at St. Michael's College, he worked in various Burlington, Vermont area furniture stores, where he learned to install draperies, carpet and flooring. In the mid-1950's Jerry opened Finnie & Dever Inc. in Montpelier, Vermont, which specialized in all types of floor coverings. He sold that business and later opened Design Studio of Stowe in 1983 in Stowe, Vermont with his daughter Kathleen. His wife Isabel joined them after she retired from her nursing career. Jerry continued to work at Design Studio well into his 80's until he retired a few years ago.
Jerry loved to ski, a love that he passed on to his four children. When his children were young and involved in the race program for the Mount Mansfield Ski Club, Jerry enjoyed gatekeeping and timing the races. He also had a great love of airplanes. Jerry enjoyed taking glider rides at the Morrisville-Stowe Airport, and later made and flew model airplanes. After he retired, he found great joy in doing puzzles and watching historical documentaries and movies.
He is survived by his wife, Isabel Dever of Stowe, Vermont; daughter, Kathleen Dever of Stowe, Vermont; son, Stephen and Debbie Dever of Morrisville, Vermont; son, Jerry and MaryAnne Dever of Needham, Massachusetts; and daughter, Molly and Jack Wilson of Knoxville, Tennessee; 4 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
On Saturday, May 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. there will be a gathering of friends and family held at the Main Street Dining Room at The Green Mountain Inn in Stowe. All are welcome to celebrate Jerry's life.
Memorial contributions should be directed to Stowe Rescue, P.O. Box 291, Stowe, VT 05672.
He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on August 30, 1925, the youngest son of James and Alice (Sullivan) Dever. He married Isabel Aja on May 1, 1947 in Barre, Vermont.
As a child, Jerry lived with Dr. John Allen and his wife Marion (Sullivan) Allen in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. He attended St. John's Prep School in Danvers, Massachusetts. In 1942, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served during World War II in Brazil, South America. He was discharged as an aviation machinist's mate third class and went on to graduate from St. Michael's College in 1951 with a BS in Business Administration.
Jerry always had a love of working with his hands. During his time at St. Michael's College, he worked in various Burlington, Vermont area furniture stores, where he learned to install draperies, carpet and flooring. In the mid-1950's Jerry opened Finnie & Dever Inc. in Montpelier, Vermont, which specialized in all types of floor coverings. He sold that business and later opened Design Studio of Stowe in 1983 in Stowe, Vermont with his daughter Kathleen. His wife Isabel joined them after she retired from her nursing career. Jerry continued to work at Design Studio well into his 80's until he retired a few years ago.
Jerry loved to ski, a love that he passed on to his four children. When his children were young and involved in the race program for the Mount Mansfield Ski Club, Jerry enjoyed gatekeeping and timing the races. He also had a great love of airplanes. Jerry enjoyed taking glider rides at the Morrisville-Stowe Airport, and later made and flew model airplanes. After he retired, he found great joy in doing puzzles and watching historical documentaries and movies.
He is survived by his wife, Isabel Dever of Stowe, Vermont; daughter, Kathleen Dever of Stowe, Vermont; son, Stephen and Debbie Dever of Morrisville, Vermont; son, Jerry and MaryAnne Dever of Needham, Massachusetts; and daughter, Molly and Jack Wilson of Knoxville, Tennessee; 4 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
On Saturday, May 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. there will be a gathering of friends and family held at the Main Street Dining Room at The Green Mountain Inn in Stowe. All are welcome to celebrate Jerry's life.
Memorial contributions should be directed to Stowe Rescue, P.O. Box 291, Stowe, VT 05672.
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