GERALD C. McGINLEY's Obituary
Gerald Connell McGinley, Sr.
January 8, 1934 – May 5, 2016
Gerald (82) passed away peacefully at home with his family present on Thursday, May 5th.
Born in Chicago and raised during the Great Depression, Gerald joined the Navy at seventeen to escape tough times and a tough neighborhood.
A Navy veteran of the Korean War, he served as an aircraft mechanic on the carriers USS Midway and USS Leyte Gulf. He would reflect often and with great pride of his time served overseas and enjoyed telling stories of the summer he was stationed in Naples, Italy.
Upon his return to Chicago, he started a coin laundry business and had several successful locations when he met his bride to be. Arlene and Jerry were married and quickly moved to Miami. An aspiring entrepreneur, he started McGinley Process Service, a business he owned and operated for 47 years. He only just retired as an officer of the court 2 years ago at the age of 80.
Jerry enjoyed poetry, music, fishing, diving and a lively conversation. Many remember him on his boat most weekends spending countless hours and unlimited good times fishing the blue water offshore of Miami and The Florida Keys.
A loving and caring father, Jerry loved and was very proud of his family and with kindness and wisdom always assisted and supported them. He is survived by is son, Jerry McGinley Jr. and daughter-in-law Claudia Barreyro, his daughter, Karen Melton and son-in-law, Tracy Melton, and youngest daughter Kathleen Marrero. He was very fond of his four grandchildren, Stefan and Miranda Marrero, and Hunter and Fisher Melton. Jerry was also very close with his sister Marilyn and brother-in-law, John Garry, and their son Daniel, who reside in Michigan.
A memorial service will be held at Vans Orsdel Coral Gables Chapel, on Tuesday May 17th 2016 from 6-9 pm.
Service with Military Honors will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans organization. www.DAV.org. (Notification recipient: Kathleen Marrero, 1090 NW No River Dr. #501, Miami, FL 33136)
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