Gerald’s Obituary Queensbury — Bagpiper and retired English teacher, Gerald Cashion, passed in peace on February 14, 2019, at 78 years of age. Jerry will always be remembered as one of the Pipers who played President John F. Kennedy’s funeral. Jerry was very proud and honored to be selected for such a historical event.
Born April 11, 1940, in Glens Falls, NY, Jerry was born at the end of the Great Depression and just as the U.S. entered World War II. He always had fond memories of his childhood, whether being the star pitcher on the Glens Falls All-American little league team or watching double features at the Paramount Theater and eating his favorite penny candy. He reminisced about hunting with his father at a young age, a lifelong passion he held onto.
Being the second youngest of five children, memories spent with his father were certainly cherished. Jerry was drafted into service in 1960. Jerry, being a talented bagpiper, was awarded the opportunity to play for the United States Air Force bagpipe band.
He traveled the entire country over his four years of service, playing for large crowds, as well as White House guests. He met JFK in September of 1963, just two months before he was assassinated. After the service, Jerry returned to his hometown and to work for GE in Fort Edward, while utilizing his GI Bill to attend Castleton College in VT for a degree in English Education.
He began work as an English teacher at his alma mater, Glens Falls Middle School. Jerry was admired by many of his students over 30 years of teaching for his abilities, such as personalized character drawings and famous, quirky puns. He also enjoyed coaching track and field and JV basketball.
If given only one thing to be most thankful for, Jerry always talked about his second chance on life after suffering a heart attack in 1998. He spoke fondly of the 14 deer he harvested and seeing his three grandchildren grow up. The fact that he was able-bodied until a month before he passed was the way he wanted to live.
In his last days, he couldn’t imagine not being able to split wood or playing one more bagpipe job. He did not want to be cared for as he spent his whole life providing for his family. Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Beatrice (Hill) Cashion, and his oldest brother, Lawrence Cashion.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Joelle; two children, Lisa Cerny and her husband, Alan Cerny Jr., of Queensbury and Patrick and his wife, Shannon, of South Glens Falls; his three grandchildren, Claudia Calby of Queensbury and Nolan and Raegan Cashion of South Glens Falls; he is also survived by his sister, Jeannine (Cashion) Hansen, his brother, Clarence Cashion, and his youngest brother, Stephen Cashion, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on March 15 at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804. A brief celebration of Gerald’s life will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
A graveside service with military honors will follow at Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd. , Schuylerville. The family would like especially thank Dr. Desantis from Adirondack Cardiology for giving Jerry a second lease on life these past 20 years.
Also, Dr. Gillani and the CR Wood Cancer Center for his care and treatment, the T2 staff from the Glens Falls Hospital, the Ft Hudson Rehabilitation staff, High Peaks Hospice and Kim’s Home Care for the care and compassion they gave Jerry. Condolences and floral arrangements may be sent directly to Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804, or through www. bakerfuneralhome.com.
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