Retired Navy Captain Christopher J. Limerick, Jr., 80, of San Diego, CA and Middleboro, MA died July 9, 2009 at Sharp Hospital in Chula Vista, CA.
Born in New Bedford, he was the son of the late Christopher J. and Ruth (Winsper) Limerick. He was a 1946 graduate of Holy Family High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Textile Chemistry from the New Bedford Institute of Technology in 1950. He was then employed as a textile chemist with United Aniline Co. of Boston until September 1952.
Entering the Navy's Office Candidate School in Newport, RI in October 1952, he was commissioned in March 1953 and reported for duty aboard his first destroyer, the USS Bearss (DD-654). Over the next 26 years he was assigned to ships homeported in Newport, Norfolk, Charleston, SC, Panama City, FL and San Diego, CA. He commanded the minesweepers USS Redpoll and the USS Thrasher, the radar pickert destroyer escort USS Pillsbury, and the fast frigate USS Garcia.
His assignments ashore included duty in Newport and Washington, DC. He graduated from the Naval War College, the Ohio State University with an MS Degree in Geodetic Science, and the George Washington University with an MS Degree in International Affairs.
While in Washington DC, he served for two years as Head of the Geodetic Satellite Branch of the Naval Air Systems Command. At the Pentagon he was assigned for two years as the Military Assistant to the Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy. During the war in Vietnam he was assigned as Chief of the Naval Research and Development Unit for one year in Saigon.
Retiring from the Navy in 1978, Captain Limerick later worked as an engineering analyst with QED Systems in San Diego. After retiring again, he traveled extensively over the years in Europe and Africa including six trips to Ireland, annual trips to London, and a safari in Kenya.
He enjoyed reading, golfing, swimming, and running in 10 KM races. He was an avid Boston Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots fan and cheered for the San Diego teams when necessary.
He was a life Member of the Knights of Columbus, the Military Officers Association, and the Naval War College Foundation.
Survivors include a son, Jeffrey, of Port St. Lucie, FL; a nephew, Joseph T. McCawley, Jr. and his wife Diane of Bridgewater; two nieces, Ruth McCawley Geoffroy and her partner George Hussey of Middleboro and Rita Maureen McCawley of Venice, FL; and two great-nephews, Capt. Kevin Geoffroy, U.S.A.F. of Okinawa, Japan and Daniel Geoffroy of Taunton.
He was the brother of the late Ruth U. McCawley and Rita Limerick.
Funeral from the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford Wednesday July 15th at 9 AM. Funeral Mass at St. Lawrence Church in New Bedford at 10 AM. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours Tuesday, July 14th from 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be forwarded to Holy Family- Holy Name School, 91 Summer Street, New Bedford, MA 02740.