Gerald “Jerry” DePhillip

Gerald Lewis DePhillip, 67, passed away at the Bailey Family Hospice Center Friday, September 18, 2015, surrounded by family.  He is predeceased by his father, Lewis Joseph DePhillip, and his sister, Yvonne DePhillip Springer. Jerry is survived by his beloved mother, Vera Robble Cwynar of Endwell, NY, his loving wife and best friend, Elizabeth Wilson DePhillip, daughter and son-in-law,  Danielle and Jeff Langevin of Ft. Myers, FL, son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Carrie DePhillip of Cape Coral, Fl, son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and KellyAnn DePhillip of Vestal, NY, stepdaughter Sierra and her husband Chad Culbertson of Lafayette, CA, stepdaughter Melanie Damm and her husband Greg Wollenman of Portland, OR, two nieces, Lisa Charsky of Endicott NY, and Nicole and her husband Jim McGivern of Watervliet, NY, eight grandchildren and his lifelong best friends. Jerry graduated from Maine-Endwell High School and served in the US Army, joking that he went to the University of Saigon.  He earned a Purple Heart in Viet Nam and was proud of his Combat Infantryman Badge. Upon his discharge, he returned to Endwell and worked with IBM, Loral and Lockheed Martin without ever changing his desk.  While with Lockheed Martin, he moved to Santa Barbara County in California, and later moved to Sunnyvale, CA.  Ultimately, he was transferred to Jupiter, FL, where he retired. Outside of work, Jerry enjoyed building, and became a very accomplished carpenter over the years.  His designs were unique and his creations were lovingly built.  To his credit, many of those designs are still in evidence in the Triple Cities, California, and St. Augustine, Florida. Jerry loved to play pool, bowl, and golf.  He got his hole-in-one, his 300 game, and God only knows how many racks of balls he ran.  Jerry was a passionate Yankees and Giants fan; his love for the Yankees even inspired his Mother to become an avid Yankees fan as well. Jerry’s quick wit, funny stories, infectious laugh, excellent disco dancing and singing could light up the room and invariably made him the life of the party. After retirement, Jerry and Beth bought a home in St. Augustine, FL.  He volunteered in that community for Habitat for Humanity, and worked as a starter at his local golf course.  He travelled extensively visiting family and friends, with his favorite vacations being in Italy. Jerry was loved by all and will be missed by many, especially by his perfectly manicured lawn.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday 9 am from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott, followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church at 9:30 am. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery, Endicott. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Friday from 4-7 pm. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) and Viet Nam Veterans of America.  (www.vva.org)