Gerry DeMeo Obituary in Rockland at Magoun-Biggins

Obituaries

Gerry DeMeo

Passed 12/14/2020

Obituary For Gerry DeMeo

Geraldine "Gerry" DeMeo of Rockland, Massachusetts, passed peacefully and surrounded by her family on December 14, 2020 at the age of 90. She was born in Quincy, Massachusetts on July 2, 1930 to the late George and Mae (Dineen) Orcutt. In her early years she was an outstanding athlete at North Quincy High. Gerry married Marino "Caesar" DeMeo of East Boston on New Year's Day 1950, and soon after moved to Rockland to raise their family. A diligent jokester and a dedicated woman, Gerry proudly drove a Rockland school bus for the town for 37 years. She celebrated every holiday by dressing in costumes for the kids that she drove. An active member of the Rockland community, she coached multiple Baseball teams, cheered every Rockland Bulldog team, ringing her cowbell in the stands. She has been quoted saying"This is the best job in the world!" Gerry also bused Veterans of Rockland on memorial day to Bourn cemetery and Knollwood Memorial Park cemetery. She was awarded "Bus Driver of the year" in 1995. Gerry was known for taking the kids on their last day of school to Butterfields for ice cream. Even the dogs along Gerrys bus route knew her as she always had dog treat for them. She was an adamant Red Sox and Patriots fan.

After retiring, Gerry continued supporting her children and grandchildren athletic pursuits, attending a bountiful number of events. She loved watching and cheering the next generations!

Gerry was predeceased by her husband of 60 years when Caesar passed in 2009. She was the beloved Mom of Wayne and Lynn DeMeo of Carver, Loving devoted daughter Chickie DeMeo of East Boston and Loving son Michael DeMeo of Floridia and Robin DeMeo of Kingston. Nana to Katie and the late John Hayes, Tony and Heather, Kristian and Adam, Renee, and Marino. Great Nana of Johnny, Danny, Melody,Lily, Bobby, and the late Joanne, and Miles. Great great Nana to Jameson, Joie. Loving Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Sister to the late Bill and John Orcutt.

Celebration hours for Gerry will be by invitation only, due to the covid-19 restrictions, Tuesday December 22 at the Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home, 135 Union Street Rockland, MA. Funeral service to follow on Wednesday, December 23rd. A school bus has been hired to lead "Gerry's Last Ride." A rolling tribute to Gerry that will make stops at all of Rockland's Schools. Gerry's family, friends and former student passengers are welcome to greet the bus along its route. (Please respect social distancing guidelines.) Internment will be at the Holy Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Gerry's family requested that donations be made to a memorial scholarship fund to continue her joy of cheering on a Rockland High Senior. Donations may be made to Rockland High School Guidance Dept. Gerry DeMeo Scholarship fund.

Enjoy a good laugh, joke, or pull someone's finger and let Gerry's legacy live on. She will always be known as Gerry the Bus Driver! For additional information and on-line guestbook visit [email protected].

Services

23 Dec

Gerry\'s last bus route

10:00 AM

Magoun-Biggins Funeral Home 135 Union Street Rockland, MA 02370 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

05/25/2021

Sue Crowley-Jackson

To Wayne,Chickie & Mickey. So sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. She will be truly missed. The memories that i have growing up on Pleasant Street will stay with me for ever. Thank you Gerry for all the good times.RIP
05/25/2021

George Mellor

To the DeMeo family, Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful person with the rest of us... Your Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother was a treasure and brought sunshine every morning for my family and all the other families in Wyman's Fields. Anyone who grew up in Rockland and played sports knew Gerry the Bus Driver and how passionate a Bulldog Fan she was both on and off the bus. She brought passion, fun, and dedication to her role every day - I'm pretty sure, looking back that she never looked at what she did as a job, it was an advocation that she was born to do. So sorry for your loss, The Mellor Family
05/25/2021

Bob Littlefield

I would like to extend my sincerest sympathies to the DeMeo family. I have many fond memories of Gerry's kindness, caring, and hospitality as she welcomed me into the DeMeo home in my younger days. To say she was one of a kind is an understatement. That she impacted so many lives in such positive fashion should give your family great solace in a sad time.
05/25/2021

Anthony Ventresca

I'm so sorry for your loss. Gerry was my first bus driver and I drove on her bus for a few years. She always had a smile to greet us when we were getting on the bus. The best thing was when I found out she played Santa at our family friends Christmas parties. She was truly a treasure and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to know her. To her family, thank you for sharing her with all of us school kids for all those years. Rest easy Gerry you will be missed.
05/25/2021

Mike Ross

To the DeMeo family, I am sorry for your loss. Anyone who grew up in Rockland knew Gerry as "Gerry the bus driver. If there was a hall of fame for bus drivers and bulldog fans, Gerry would be at the top of the list. Let's sound the cowbell for Gerry. May she rest in peace.
05/25/2021

Glenn MacDonald

Not an exaggeration Gerry was and always will be a legend in Rockland! She was my bus driver from the 70's..always at the end of the school year she would take the whole bus out for ice cream she was always caring to the kids if they forgot to brush their hair she had a brush and a comb on hand and would brush it out for you she was like a mom she was a friend she was everything I still talk about Gerry to my kids! a bus driver right? she was way more than that I love Gerry I will always remember her I always talk about her she earned every bit of my respect and I'm glad she lived a pretty full life cuz she deserves it if there's anyone that deserves to be on this earth a little longer it was her.. and who could forget her love for Dalmatians
05/25/2021

Denise (Furlong) Faught

Gerry DeMeo is a one of a kind lady and bus driver. If you lived in Wyman's Field you knew Gerry would pick you up on snowy or crappy days. She is loved by all and Rockland will not be the same without her.
05/25/2021

BARBARA CERILLI

To the DeMeo family, please accept my sincere condolence at the passing of dear Gerry. Although I only knew Gerry for the past few years, I could tell that she was really something special! Gerry was always very bright and positive and lit up a room with her great personality! Rest in the sweetest of peace Gerry, you were one of the best!
05/25/2021

Little Bill & Monika Orcutt

Wayne, Chickie and Micky; So many memories are coming back from long ago. The old movies your mom and dad had made of our families get together's.I still can hear the echoes of their laughter & calling out or names. It only proves we all lived in the Best of Times. Those will not be shared by the younger ones. Now with all our parents passing's, to keep them alive is to bringing up with the Memories of the good times we have all had with them, to our Kids and Grandkids. Remember the days with you three and us five, how are we still alive, oh I forgot your three were the good kids???Sorry Aunt Gerry has passed she had one of the biggest Heart's and the Kindest person you could ever Meet. She will be missed by all she touched.All Our Love Little Bill & Monika Orcutt
05/25/2021

Pat Berkeley

To All of Gerry's Family, May she rest in peace...........my (3) children had her as their bus driver......she was so wonderful!! Love, The Berkeley Family
05/25/2021

James Fitzgibbons

Wayne and family, I'm sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. She was one of Rockland's greatest. I'm sure she will be missed by many. Jim Fitzgibbons
05/25/2021

Marcia Weaver

A true legend is gone. Gerry will be sorely missed. My mom drove with Gerry for many years, then I drove with her for her last 10. I went to school with her son Mickey and like everyone in the town of Rockland, I feel that I was as close to her as one of her own family members. That is the way Gerry made everyone feel. If she drove you as a little kid, you were a family member. She never forgot anyone's name and had the most amazing stories to go with that name. that was Gerry.
In these crazy times we are living in right now, I am sad to say that I won't be able to make the services. Marion (R-6) will be driving the school bus and I was going to ride along on the bus to pay my last respects to our dear friend but as luck would have it I am sick and I will not be able to make it. I had a very nice conversation with Renee but wanted to extend my condolences to Wayne, Chickie, Mickey and ALL the grandchildren. I hope to see and talk to you all soon.

Marcia Weaver
Rockland School bus driver and Friend
05/25/2021

Jamie Sarno

She was more than a bus driver, she was the bright part of everyone's day on her route. She was respected and loved by so many in this community. There will never be another like Gerry.
05/25/2021

Michael Brady

Gerry was my bus driver as a kid and she was such a nice lady. I have not lived in Rockland for 25 years but still have family and friends in the area and think of her whenever I pass by her home on Pleasant St. I am so sorry for your loss DeMeo family but Gerry touched many a life in Rockland and I'm sure far beyond its borders. It was a life well-lived and I give my heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace in the kingdom of God.
05/25/2021

Renee DeMeo

To my Beloved Nana Boopa, How do I even begin. I will cherish every memory we have together. From singing silly songs in the pool, laying in bed together and laughing for no reason, riding the bus with you all the time, doing puzzles at the table, taking the train to New York with Chick and Gramps to see the Red Sox play at Yankee stadium for your birthdays, lighting fireworks off in the driveway for your birthdays and anniversary, taking our lunches down "the gut" and watching the boats go through, they are truly endless and I could truly go on forever. You taught me so much and have left me with a lifetime of memories that i will cherish forever. It was my honor to be able to be your personal nurse after all your surgeries. Some of the funniest stories come from those times. I will never forget as you grew older and at times reverted back to childlike ways and i would ask you "who's my favorite girl?" and you would light up and and say "I am" and giggle the way you always had. All of the funny and unique sayings and ditties you would come up with will forever be popping up in my head at random times. The thing i will remember the most is the way you loved me, and all of your grandchildren. Although I selfishly would have prefered you lived forever, I am at peace knowing you are with everyone who had gone before you. Not to mention all of the dogs and cats that have been patiently waiting on the other side of the rainbow bridge for you to get there. Give Gramps a big ole smooch for me, I know you will be waiting for me when i get there, until till then i will see you in my dreams. I love you woman! Forever YOUR little girl Lovey (Renee)
05/25/2021

Janet Rodriguez

To the DeMeo family, we were very sorry to hear about the passing of "life long Rockland legend Gerry". She loved driving her yellow school bus for many years. In fact, when my daughter started her first day in Kindergarten in 1998, my next door neighbor said to me, "was that Gerry DeMeo, she used to be my bus driver!" May she rest in peace.
05/25/2021

Jim Day

To the DeMeo family, I am truly sorry for your loss your mom was such a great person I remember her when I was younger on the bus and we used to see her when we went to the ponds ice-skating down in the back woods she always has something funny to say or told you how it was point-blank. Your mom will be truly missed by everybody that had the opportunity to know her.She was a remarkable lady. May you rest in peace Mrs DeMeo
05/25/2021

Robert Connors

Mrs DeMeo was one of the kindest and giving person I have ever none. I have so many fond memories of when she was my coach. She would would give us ice cream sundaes. But the biggest thing she gave us was love and support and showed us how to be a good sport and teammate. I have over all these years shared my memories of her with my family, She made a lasting impression on me and I'm so great full to have been one of many many kids that called her coach. You lived a life well lived your an example to everyone. Rest peaceful you wonderful wonderful woman
05/25/2021

Renee DeMeo

To my Beloved Nana Boopa, How do I even begin. I will cherish every memory we have together. From singing silly songs in the pool, laying in bed together and laughing for no reason, riding the bus with you all the time, doing puzzles at the table, taking the train to New York with Chick and Gramps to see the Red Sox play at Yankee stadium for your birthdays, lighting fireworks off in the driveway for your birthdays and anniversary, taking our lunches down "the gut" and watching the boats go through, they are truly endless and I could truly go on forever. You have taught me so much throughout my life. You have left me with a lifetime of memories that i will cherish forever. It was my honor to be able to be your personal nurse after all your surgeries. Some of the funniest stories come from those times. I will never forget as you grew older and at times reverted back to childlike ways and i would ask you "who's my favorite girl?" and you would light up and and say "I am" and giggle the way you always had. All of the funny and unique sayings and ditties you would come up with will forever be popping up in my head at random times. The thing i will remember the most is the way you loved me, and all of your grandchildren. Although I selfishly would have prefered you lived forever, I am at peace knowing you are with everyone who had gone before you. Not to mention all of the dogs and cats that have been patiently waiting on the other side of the rainbow bridge for you to get there. Give Gramps a big ole smooch for me, I know you will be waiting for me when i get there, until till then i will see you in my dreams. I love you woman! Forever YOUR little girl, love Lovey (Renee)
05/25/2021

Hannah Probst Cleveland

I would like to share a little story about Mrs. DeMeo. I am sure that here are thousands more out there. Early in the 1960's my sister Sarah and I were walking home from McKinley School, kicking our new penny loafers up in the air, when Sarah's shoe got stuck in a tree. We knew we were in big trouble-back in the day you only had one pair of school shoes, and ours were new! Along comes the school bus and out hops Mrs. DeMeo. She somehow climbs up on the roof of the bus and rescues the shoe!! We did not even ride the bus, but did know her as she was the coach of my brother Josh's little league team, Old Colony Forge, which her family sponsored. This is just one small example of her kindness and involvement in the community. RIP Mrs. DeMeo, and thank you. My siblings and I send our condolences to the DeMeo family.
05/25/2021

Mary Stewart

Sorry to hear this. Gerry was a character every parent & child loved.
05/25/2021

Patrick Runci

To the DeMeo family, My sincere condolences on the passing of Gerry. From being one of my first baseball coaches, to transporting me to games in high school, then driving my daughters and students to school, she was such a joy to be around. Rest in peace Mrs. DeMeo.
05/25/2021

JOSEPH Muscato sr

SORRY FOR OUR LOSS
05/25/2021

Aram Onbashian

One of a kind will be missed
05/25/2021

Ruth Ann Metcalf

Gerry was one of Rockland's great characters. Everybody knew her, I mean everybody. You would see her bouncing along in a big yellow bus, on a mission to deliver her precious cargo. Jolly but not to be messed with, she was a friend and mentor to her Rockland kids. Thank you Gerry for your love and service to the community.
05/25/2021

Carol Bird Lagana

Gerry was my bus driver in Kindergarten. I was burned that year (1970) and her daughter was in the trim across the hall from me. She would come over to visit me when she went to see her daughter. I will never forget her laugh, her love for the kids, and that cowbell at games!!! Rest In Peace, Gerry!
05/25/2021

Valerie Wild Owl

I went to Rockland schools through the 70s into early 80s. I'd definitely had Gerry as a bus driver at times. She was a wonderful person! She really cared about her job and the kids on her bus! Sympathy and healing to Gerry's family!
05/25/2021

Don Orcutt Orcutt

To Wayne, Chickie and Micky so sorry for loss of your mom (my Aunt) she was a great person. I always enjoyed my time (though not that many) with her. Cherish the great memories with her she lived a great life and it was for 90 years. It has been a tough year for many lets hope for a better 2021. All my best to all of you. Don and Linda
05/25/2021

Justine Fitzgibbons

Gerry was such a wonderful experience for kids starting kindergarten. She remained their friend all through their years. She was so loved
05/25/2021

Tom Bailey

So many bus rides so many memories. God Bless you Gerry
05/25/2021

Mary Owen

Our most heartfelt condolences to the DeMeo Family. Gerry has left her footprint on so many hearts in this Town and surrounding towns from young to old!
05/25/2021

jack mcgrath

May Gerry rest in Peace, Was my driver many many times @ HFS & RHS. Condolences to Her Family