BEVERLY: Gerald J. Duprey 72, passed away Thursday morning, June 12, 2008 due to a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of Deanna J. (Nardella) Duprey.
He was born on February 8, 1936 in Ashland, Maine and moved to Beverly at the age of five. A graduate of Beverly High School, Gerald married his childhood sweetheart and remained in Beverly with his wife and family most of his life.
A machinist by trade, Gerald worked at the United Shoe Machine Corp. in Beverly during his earlier years followed by twenty-five years of dedication to the General Electric Plant in Lynn. After his retirement from the GE, Gerald continued to work part-time at Ramco in Rowley where he made many wonderful friends. Completely retired at 71, he loved working with his hands and was a master at his trade.
During his short, but very active life, Gerald made many friends and was enjoyed by many. A humble, unselfish and giving man, Gerald was always there to help those in need. He loved to make people laugh with a good joke and his witty sense of humor. He cherished and took the most pride in his family. He loved his camp at Lake Ossipee, NH, spending the weekends with his children and grandchildren. His favorite pastimes include golf, bowling, woodworking, horseshoes and he loved to dance with his wife and daughters. He most especially loved the Red Sox. We will all miss the way he sang and danced to Elvis. He was unique and irreplaceable and we are thankful for all the wonderful memories he left us with. We love you Dad, “Pappa.”
In addition to his beloved wife of fifty-two years, he is survived by his six children; daughter Linda and her husband, Steve Hirschfeld and their four children, Ryan, Adam, Jordan and Stefany; daughter, Lori and her husband, Richard Batchelder and their three children, Sean, Matt and Brittany; daughter Leanne and her husband, James and their two children, Gregory and Trevor; daughter Lorna and her husband, Glenn Boudreau and their two children, Jacqueline and Julia and one son, Gerald and his wife, Tracey Duprey and their two children, Haley and Cole and several nieces and nephews.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday in the St. Mary Star of the Sea church, Cabot Street, Beverly at 9 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.