| Jerry Raphael Landry | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jerry Landry was many things. A Cape Codder (and doggone proud of it!), a self described 'information junkie', a keen fan of innovative musical styles as well as an urbane pundit and rapier wit. He was a fixture aboard the mid-to-late 70s USS MacDonough (DDG-39) where he worked in electromechanics in the missile house. He had the cooking skills of a world class chef, was well versed in history and militaria as well as numerous areas of eclectic curiosa, and was a kind and gentle soul who loved people, a good joke and having a few laughs. We lost this treasure abruptly in January of 2007 while he was in the midst of having found his 'true calling' -- that of a teacher at an area technical high school. But in the end we have our memories of this man who would inspire the youth and engage in a moment of levity -- one who truly epitomized the type of friend known as 'true blue'. Rest in peace. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Yarmouth Register Obit | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Jerry R. Landry, Marine Service Technological Instructor at Cape Tech | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Jerry R. Landry, 53, a lifelong resident of Barnstable village, died unexpectedly Jan. 24. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Landry spent two years in Japan, where his father was stationed in the service. He graduated from Barnstable High School in 1971, and served in the Navy for six years as a missile technician. After his retirement from the Navy, he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as assistant postmaster in Barnstable village. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| In 2000, he became a marine service technological instructor at Cape Tech High School in Harwich. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| He was as an avid golfer, and was a member of the Harwichport Golf Club for many years. He was also a big fan of all Boston sports teams and a voracious reader. In 1976, he was a member of the Barnstable County Militia, participating in historical re-enactments during the country's bicentennial celebrations. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Mr. Landry enjoyed theater, loved golden retrievers and was an accomplished gardener and cook. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| He leaves his mother, Beverly Landry of Barnstable; a brother, Vincent Scaramella of Old Saybrook, Conn.; a nephew; and five grandnieces and nephews. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| A memorial service is today, Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Unitarian Church of Barnstable, 3330 Main St. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Memorial donations may be made to Cape Cod Technical High School for a fund to be established in his name. Mail to Cape Cod Regional Technology High School, Pleasant Lake Avenue, Harwich, MA 02645. | |||||||||||||||||||||
 Jerry found his vocational raison d'etre in the position of High School Marine Technology Instructor. |
 USS MacDonough escorting HMS Ark Royal, NATO exercises, North Atlantic 1977. Jerry was aboard. |
 USS MacDonough, Lisbon 1978. Jerry was aboard. |
 Standard SAM (Terrier) Jerry put them on the rails. |
 GMM2 Gunner's Mate (Surface Missiles) Second Class |
 
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Jerry is interred at Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery in Centerville, Barnstable County, Massachusetts
My Navy BuddyI was good friends with a man from Cape Cod named Jerry Landry who proudly hailed from Barnstable, Massachusetts -- often proclaiming that it was the leading edge of civilization while everything to the West and beyond (and South, in particular) was comprised of "Indians".
He had a casual aire about him and a flair for understatement which spoke volumes. We were inseparable during our Navy years being home ported in Charleston, South Carolina. We explored every nook and cranny of the Southeast in my little green Vega -- the one without air conditioning in the oppressive white hot August sun ...
Traversing the Blue Ridge Parkway, Smoky Mountains, and piedmont frequenting the rural americana of the area, often returning scant minutes prior to liberty ending; we got around.
As time and distance always seems to do, we grew apart as we both departed the Navy and pursued interests more close to home. My technical endeavors in the computer industry took me hither, thither, and yon to the West coast and back many times.
We had spoken on the phone a lot after I began civilian life. I even had the opportunity to indulge myself in a short visit when work brought me in close proximity.
Jerry had been working for the Post Office in his home town for a long while and upon a chance telephone call I learned that he had found exactly what he was supposed to do, teach at a local area high school.
He said that it would never make him rich, but the satisfaction derived from his duties there eclipsed any remuneration a mere paycheck could provide. He was happy (as usual) and immensely satisfied.
I told him I'd look him up again in a year or two and we would get together for a week or so as his schedule permitted.
At long last the time came when my availability was finally at hand so I Googled him to get that elusive telephone number as I have done so many times before. Instead of the usual phone entry I was shocked and dismayed to encounter his obituary. It seems that he had passed some six months earlier unexpectedly.
So thusly I was there -- "on the edge of a feather expecting to fly" only to plunge like Icarus falling -- into the pit of despair for all that he was had gone from me with an abrupt separation pain and anxiety that only heartstrings may feel.
I suppose the moral of the story concerns remaining in contact with those you care about. It's too easy to let the electronics of our twenty-first century world blur the distances between us and as a learned observer once mused 'we talk of killing time as if, alas; it weren't time that kills us.'