Gerald Joseph Thurber's Obituary
Gerald Joseph Thurber, 86, of Rocky River, Ohio, passed away on January 2, 2025. Born on January 26, 1938, in Granite City, Illinois, to the late Charles and Elvira Thurber, Gerald led a life dedicated to truth, storytelling, and family.
Gerry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Shirley (née Gentry) Thurber; his children, Diane Thurber (Jefferson Cronin) and Suzanne (Kenneth) Rafferty; and his grandchild, Raven Rafferty. He was loved by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Edna Mae Miller and his brother-in-law Fred Miller.
Gerry had a distinguished career as a news reporter, earning respect and admiration for his dedication to journalistic integrity and his talent for storytelling. As an employee of Lucas County Department of human services, he served as the Chapter Chairman for the AFSCME union and was a District Representative for PERI, demonstrating his commitment to advocating for workers' rights and retirement security.
In addition to his professional achievements, Gerry was a volunteer for the Cleveland Metro Parks at Big Met as a Starter. He loved to golf and found great joy in the game. However, his greatest love was for his family.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday January 9, 2025 at 2pm at Sunset Chapel, 6245 Columbia Rd. North Olmsted, Ohio 44070.
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