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Administrator
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While updating the Zip+4 addresses of our Membership Roster, I found that two of our LIFE Members have passed away:
Seawolf Association LIFE Member, Seawolf Thomas Edward Elliott, Jr. (AMS2-AMS1) = Gunner, Det 9, 6/25/1971-3/16/1972.
Obituary:
Thomas E. Elliott Jr., 72, of West Bath died Friday, December 14, 2012 at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
He was born in Boston, MA on December 1, 1940, a son of Thomas E. Sr. and Gloria Martin Elliott. He grew up in Portland and attended St. Dominic's Sacred Heart School and Cheverus High School, where he was a member of the Swim Team.
Thomas joined the U.S. Navy at age 16, by telling them he was 17 at the time so he could enlist. He served in the Navy for 24 years, with 2 tours in Vietnam and retired on December 31, 1982. He was awarded the Purple Heart as well as other medals and commendations. After retiring he worked for the Town of Brunswick for 20 years.
Tommy dedicated his time and talents to the Disabled American Veterans working at the VA Hospital and transporting veterans to and from their medical appointments. He worked tirelessly helping veterans receive their benefits and helping to raise funds to purchase a van to transport veterans.
He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans; Veteran Affairs Voluntary Service at Togus; Purple Heart Association; American Legion Post 4 in Gardiner; Veterans of Foreign Wars; Fleet Reserve Association; Knights of Columbus in Brunswick; and was a member and Past Exalted Ruler at Brunswick Lodge of Elks and spent many hours collecting money and toys for the Santa Claus Fund on their behalf. He also dressed up as Santa Claus for many of these occasions to bring joy to the children. Thomas also participated in the Toy Run for the Polar Express.
He is predeceased by two sisters, Gloria Honey (Elliott) Berry and Ann Marie (Elliott) Haley.
Burial will be at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Augusta.
**I found and spoke with Tom's Brother and he said that Tom was driving the VA Van [mentioned above] with some Veteran patients, and pulled over to the side of the road, stopped, and keeled over the steering wheel, dying of a heart attack.
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Seawolf Association LIFE Member, Not a Seawolf, but 1996 Membership Application shows CDR Bernard "Jerry" Maxwell Fitzgerald, (Ret), FASU Binh Thuy, July 1970-July 1971 of Oak Harbor, WA.
**Jun of 2011, Bob Eggleston had been trying to get hold of "Jerry" and ended up talking to Jean [Jerry's wife] Fitzgerald. He had a major stroke 3 years ago, and would never leave the Home. His Left side was effected and can't see out of his left eye. Bob said "Jerry" was in charge of the AO shop, he thought he was a WO at the time in BT, any way he had a stroke and is in a Nursing home in Anacortes and will never recover. Called his wife in Oak Harbor to find out how he is and just where he is at. He found out that "Jerry" has been in a Nursing home in Anacortes, WA.
Obituary:
Bernard M. "Jerry" Fitzgerald, 83, died Dec. 20, 2008, at Island Hospital, Anacortes, following a lengthy illness.
He was born June 6, 1925, in Cambridge, Mass., to Bernard and Gwendolyn (Nicoll) Fitzgerald, the oldest of six boys. Jerry quit school during his senior year and lied about his age to enlist. He entered the U.S. Navy one month before the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Jerry was quickly pressed into service, serving as an aviation ordnanceman. He soon was trained as an enlisted pilot in the U.S. Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater during World War II mainly as a bow gunner on escort missions. He was married to the former Dorothy E. Pettit in Miami, Fla., on April 5, 1944.
Jerry remained on active duty through the Korean War. Enlisted pilots were removed from duty and Jerry began training officers for aerial combat service. On June 25, 1957, he was commissioned as a naval officer. In 1968, he was transferred to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. He served in Vietnam with riverboats in the Mekong Delta and served a total of 16 years at sea. Jerry retired from the U.S. Navy as a commander on Feb. 1, 1972.
He continued his love of learning by receiving his AA at Skagit Valley College and then his bachelor of arts in sociology from Western Washington University, graduating magna cum laude and completed two years toward his master's. Jerry also worked as a school bus driver for the Oak Harbor School District for eight years following his military retirement.
Jerry and Dorothy loved to travel and were able to travel the world. Dorothy became ill and Jerry was her primary caregiver before her death in 1994. He married the former Jean (Vandersloot) Railsback on March 21, 1999. Jerry and Jean continued traveling. Jerry had visited over 130 countries and sailed around the world many times in his lifetime.
Jerry was a member of the Military Officers Retirement Association, the Whidbey Golf and Country Club, the Oak Harbor Yacht Club and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of Oak Harbor. He and Jean also enjoyed ballroom dancing.
Jerry is survived by his wife Jean at the family home and by five children: his son Terry Kevin Fitzgerald (Julia) of Ferndale, his daughter Doreen Elizabeth Milward (Douglas) of Olympia, William Railsback (Laura) of Palm Desert, Calif., Donald Railsback of Houston, and Rich Railsback (Lorraine) of Chehalis; and one grandson, Michael Fitzgerald of Ferndale. Two brothers, Donald Fitzgerald of Florida and Walter Fitzgerald of Massachusetts, also survive.
Funeral services for Jerry Fitzgerald will be held on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m. at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church with Bishop Sanford Hampton officiating. Military honors will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard.
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Dan
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