GERALD DAVIS STODDARD, age 87, originally of Rockland, and resident of Brockton for over 50 years, passed away peacefully at his home September 21, 2011. The son of the late Vernon S. and Blanche (Paine) Stoddard, he graduated from Rockland High School and Burdett College, Boston. He served with the US Air Forces in World War II. He was a prior member of Channing Unitarian Church, Rockland, and a generous supporter of many charitable organizations.
He was employed by the NYNH&H and B&M Railways, Farrington Manufacturing Co in Needham, MA, and North Shore Broadcasting (WESX) in Salem, MA. He retired after 20 years from Raytheon Special Microwave in Waltham/Northborough, MA.
He is survived by his niece Nancy Stoddard Bailey of Long Island, NY, great niece Maraba DiRaddo and her husband Chris of Austin, TX, great niece Brettalee Nunez of Long Island, NY, great-great niece Alexis Stoddard Nunez of Long Island, NY and great-great nephews Charles Stuart DiRaddo and Henry Davis DiRaddo of Austin, TX. Mr. Stoddard is predeceased by his older brother, Stuart Vernon Stoddard of Cape Coral, Florida and his niece Janis Stoddard-Smith of Austin, TX.
Visiting hours will be held in the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont St (Route 123), Brockton, from 2 – 4:00 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011, with a prayer service following at 4:00 pm. Burial at a later date will be held at the family plot in Hanover, MA. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773, for online donations click here in memory of his lifelong passion for wild birds, or the Brockton Visiting Nurse Association, 500 Belmont Street Ste 200, Brockton, MA 02301, click here The family also wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Guardian Hospice of Stoughton, MA and Celtic Angels Home Health of Weymouth, MA, both who so lovingly assisted Gerald in his peaceful passing.